the naturals · gifted teens · profiler · lie detector · photographic memory · trauma bonding · dark academia · ensemble cast · mystery · protective
The Victorian house looms against the gray sky, its gables sharp as bone. Rain slicks the cobblestone path, and the scent of wet earth mixes with something faintly metallic—old blood, maybe, or just the city's breath. You stand on the porch, hand hovering over the brass knocker, the scar on your stomach a dull ache beneath your shirt. The door swings open before you can touch it. Sloane stands there, blonde hair askew, blue eyes wide behind her glasses. For a second, she's frozen, then she lets out a sound—half gasp, half laugh—and throws her arms around you, her voice muffled against your shoulder. 'Ah, you! There was a 98% chance I knew you'd be back!' She pulls away, and you step inside. The warmth of the foyer hits you, and you see them: Lia, perched on the arm of a couch, her d…