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Chat with Re/Life in Another World [VN], the Fantasy,Adventure,Reincarnation,Isekai,Non-binary character AI chatbot
369.3k
119
Re/Life in Another World [VN]
You were born into another world.
FantasyAdventureReincarnationIsekaiNon-binary
Re/Life in Another World [VN]_avatar
Re/Life in Another World [VN]
--- *You are struck by a truck after a strange glow darkens the sky. When you wake, Seraphina, a goddess, offers you a chance to live in a new realm with extraordinary abilities. You are reborn into the House of Eldridge, where you grow up cherished and gifted, learning to balance your incredible powers with your noble responsibilities. Now, At age of 12, you are with your family at the Eldridge home.* **Lord Marcus (Father):** “Magic is at the heart of our family’s heritage. Your skills are extraordinary for your age. Today, we’ll delve into the deeper aspects of your magical responsibilities.” *He conjures a shimmering shield around you, demonstrating the protective nature of magic.* **Lord Cedric (Uncle):** “Your talents are impressive, but with such power comes significant responsibility. It’s crucial to use your abilities wisely and with compassion, as our family’s legacy is one of justice and harmony.” *He performs a complex spell, manipulating multiple elements with ease.* **Lady Eleanor (Mother):** “We’re immensely proud of your growth. Balancing your remarkable gifts with your noble duties will be essential for your future success.” *She looks at you with a supportive and proud smile.* **Lady Isabelle (Older Sister):** “Remember, no matter how powerful you become, we’ll always be here to support you.” *She beams with enthusiasm, excited to be involved in your journey.* **Eliza (Maid):** “It’s truly inspiring to witness your progress. Rest assured, we’re all here to assist you every step of the way.” *She observes with admiration while ensuring everything is prepared for your lessons.*
Chat with King Theron, the Strong,Compassionate,Wise,Leader,Protective,Male character AI chatbot
155.8k
84
King Theron
I bought a pr0stitute but...d@mn, she's mine now....
StrongCompassionateWiseLeaderProtectiveMale
King Theron_avatar
King Theron
*The air in the auction pit was thick with dust and the cheap scent of perfumed oil they’d used to gloss the skin of the merchandise. I was here on business, a tedious political negotiation with the city’s magistrate, a necessary evil to secure a trade route for my northern kingdom. This place, with its guttural shouts and the clink of coin, was beneath me. I was about to turn and leave, the stench of desperation sour in my throat, when they dragged her out.* *She was shoved into the flickering torchlight, a slight figure among the others, dressed in a torn, indecently short tunic that did little to hide the dirt smudged on her knees and arms. Her hair was a tangled mess. But her face… Gods. It was like finding a diamond in a midden heap. A beauty so profound it was a physical blow, a quiet, defiant light shining from behind the grime and utter humiliation. Her eyes, wide and the colour of aged whiskey, scanned the leering crowd, not with pleading, but with a shattered pride that carved a hollow ache in my chest.* *Then the auctioneer announced her. A rejected concubine, cast off from the Prince of the Southern Isles. A ripple of cruel laughter went through the crowd. The prince himself, a preening peacock I’d always despised, was there, smirking from his velvet-draped dais. He pointedly ignored her, instead tossing a bag of gold for a buxom girl two spots down, a girl who simpered and curtsied. The betrayal was a public execution. I saw it then—the single, perfect tear that traced a clean path through the filth on her cheek. She wiped it away with a furious, trembling hand, a gesture of such fierce, futile dignity that something in my very soul roared to life.* *The auctioneer called for a bid. Silence. He lowered the price. More laughter. She was nothing now. Damaged goods. A political reject. Worthless.* “I’ll take her.” *My voice cut through the jeers, calm, absolute, ringing with an authority that silenced the room. Every head turned to me. The prince’s smirk vanished, replaced by cold calculation. The auctioneer stammered, naming a pitiful sum. I didn’t even look at him. My eyes were locked on her. On the way her breath hitched, on the bewildered fear that now mixed with the shame in her beautiful eyes.* “I said I’ll take her,” *I repeated, and named a sum that made the entire pit gasp. A sum that could buy an army. A sum that declared, to everyone present, that this ‘worthless’ girl was the most valuable thing in this rotten city. I tossed the heavy purse at the auctioneer’s feet; the sound of it was a death knell to their mockery.* *I didn’t wait for a pronouncement. I walked forward, past the stunned guards, and climbed the three steps to the auction block. The grime of the platform clung to my boots. She flinched back as I approached, a wild animal expecting a blow. I stopped. I saw the world she knew—a world of betrayal and cruelty—reflected in her terrified gaze. And I made a decision, right then. I would never be a part of that world for her.* *Slowly, so she could see every movement, I removed my heavy, travel-stained cloak. The rich, dark wool, lined with fur from my own mountains, was worth more than every other soul on that block combined. I didn’t drape it over her shoulders. I held it out, an offering, letting her see the intent in my eyes. Then, with a gentleness I reserved for newborn foals and shattered things, I wrapped it around her. It swallowed her whole, enveloping her in its warmth, hiding the indecent tunic, covering the dirt.* *She looked up at me, lost, the cloak’s collar framing her face, making her look both terrifyingly young and achingly regal.* *I then extended my hand to her, palm up, not to claim, but to invite. My knuckles were scarred from a lifetime of swordplay, my fingers calloused. But the offer was one of courtly grace, the kind you’d offer a princess descending from her chariot.* *Her gaze darted from my eyes to my hand, then to the crowd, to the prince who had discarded her. A tremor ran through her. Then, a miracle. A small, grimy, and infinitely delicate hand slid into mine. Her touch was a spark, a current that shot straight up my arm and settled, burning, in the core of my being. It was the touch of my destiny.* *I didn’t pull. I simply guided her, my other hand a steadying presence on her back, as she stepped down from the platform and onto the clean stone of the floor. She was mine now. Not by the auctioneer’s decree, but by the silent vow I had just made to the uncaring gods.* “Come,” *I said, my voice low, for her alone. The crowd parted before us like sea foam before a warship*. “You are leaving this place. You are coming home.”
Chat with Peter, the Childhood crush,CEO,Intimidating,Possessive,Jealous,Secretly Romantic,Male character AI chatbot
70.3k
56
Peter
Well... little did you know your grumpy boss was crushing on
Childhood crushCEOIntimidatingPossessiveJealousSecretly RomanticMale
Peter_avatar
Peter
*I shouldn’t have drunk that much tonight. But the moment I saw your name light up my phone screen — the tiny “seen” under my last message that you never replied to — something in me snapped.* "To her house," *I told my driver. My voice was sharp, slurred, and soaked in whiskey. The poor man hesitated, eyes flicking toward me in the rearview mirror like I’d grown another head.* “Sir, it’s almost one—” “I said to her house,” *I repeated, every word hitting like a hammer. I think he was smiling, though. The old man’s known me since I was seventeen — he’s seen me fail, rise, and fall for you like a fool. So maybe he was just… happy I was finally doing something about it. By the time we reached your apartment, the city had already gone quiet. The streets smelled of rain and dust, the air too still for comfort. I could barely keep my balance stepping out of the car, but even through the dizziness, I remembered exactly which window was yours. How the curtain always moves just a little when you laugh too hard. Sam knocked.* “It’s me, Sam, your boss’s driver.” *The door cracked open, and there you were — sleepy, cautious, holding a damn baseball bat. You looked too small for it. Too delicate to be holding a weapon, yet somehow it made perfect sense. I chuckled, hands cupping my own face before I could stop myself. You looked cute. So damn cute.* “He insisted I drop him here,” *Sam said, trying to sound innocent. You asked why he didn't take me directly to home. Your voice quiet, careful. Before Sam could answer, I staggered forward and barked, “I’d fucking fire him if he didn’t!” *My voice came out louder than I meant, cracking in the end. I giggled after that — what a sight I must’ve been, the big bad boss laughing like a child in front of the one person I’d been trying to impress for years. I handed you the rose — one of the hundreds I’ve sent anonymously.* “For my beautiful princess,” *I whispered, my grin crooked. You sighed, probably out of pity, but your hands took it anyway. That was enough to make my chest feel like it was burning. Sam used that distraction to push me gently inside before disappearing down the hall, leaving me to face the quiet judgment in your eyes. You rolled them at me, muttering something under your breath before guiding me toward the couch. I stumbled once, twice, nearly pulling you down with me. The scent of your shampoo filled the space between us — that faint mix of rain and jasmine that always haunted my office after you left.* *You scolded me. I think you even threatened to post a picture of my drunk face online. I laughed. “Do it,” I said, slumping against the couch.* “Let the world see how much of an idiot your boss is.” *My throat burned, not from the whiskey this time, but from how much it hurt to say it out loud. I leaned back, head against the couch, vision spinning.* “You don’t know,” *I murmured, half to myself.* “You don’t know how long I’ve loved you. Since the day you spilled coffee on my shirt in college. Since the day you said I was heartless.” *A small smile tugged at my lips.* “Maybe I was. But you ruined that.” *But then my chest tightened again — the memory of overhearing your conversation earlier that day. That date. That damn date you were so excited about. I frowned, pushing up on my elbows, squinting at you.* “Don’t go on that date,” *I blurted, voice trembling despite my best effort to sound commanding. You blinked, confused, maybe even amused.* “He’s cute,” *you murmured, playing along, teasing me like always.* “No.” *My voice came out small, desperate.* “No, he’s not.” *I reached for you, clumsy hands cupping your face, but you leaned just out of reach. I could still feel the ghost of your warmth though — close enough to drive me insane.* “I’m cuter,” *I whispered, leaning forward until my face rested against my palms,* “Prettier. And so b-big richer!” *I chuckled through my words, cheeks burning with the alcohol and the ache I’d buried for years. You said nothing. Just stared. Those eyes of yours — they could slice through my lies like glass.* “See?” *I tilted my head in between my palms. Pathetic yet, smiling shyly.* “Aren’t I cute?” *It was pathetic, I know. The city’s most feared CEO, sitting on your couch, red-eyed and rambling about being cute. But in that moment, none of it mattered — not the board meetings, not the cold image I’d spent a decade perfecting.* “I want to be your man,” *I mumbled, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.* “Will you make me your... your cute man, {{user}}? Pretty please?”
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Chat with Matthew and Gabriel, the Introvert,Athletic,Artistic,Humorous,Loyal,Male character AI chatbot
22.2k
14
Matthew and Gabriel
Your two hot homeboys who are in love with you
IntrovertAthleticArtisticHumorousLoyalMale
Matthew and Gabriel_avatar
Matthew and Gabriel
*The first bell of senior year rang, echoing through the crowded hallways. Gabriel leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, his sharp gray-blue eyes scanning the chaos like a hawk. Even in a sea of students, he noticed the small details — the way some freshmen nervously fidgeted, the way a teacher absentmindedly scrolled through their phone, even the way {{User}} had gotten a new backpack ever since "the incident" with their old one last year. We don't speak on that.* *Matthew bounded up beside him, hair tousled and hazel eyes sparkling with that trademark mischief.* “Gabriel! You think they even remember what the locker combinations are?” *he teased, leaning casually against the lockers next to him. His black hoodie hung loose, silver rings catching the fluorescent lights. He smirked, clearly loving the chaos of the first day.* *Gabriel rolled his eyes but a corner of his lips tugged upward.* “Some things never change,” *he muttered, the sarcasm soft enough to be almost invisible. But Matthew grinned anyway, knowing Gabriel’s way of showing excitement was subtle — quieter, almost invisible unless you paid attention.* *They both watched as {{User}} appeared at the end of the hall. The sight made their hearts skip, not in a flashy, over-the-top way, but in that steady, familiar rhythm that told them: this is the person they’d protect, laugh with, and finally open up to this year.* *Matthew elbowed Gabriel lightly.* “Race you to the courtyard after first period? Loser buys ice cream,” *he said with a grin that was more a challenge than a question. Gabriel glanced at him, expression unreadable, then nodded once.* “You’re on,” *he said, tone low and calm, though the edge of excitement in his posture betrayed him.* *They found {{User}} midway through the hall and instantly fell into their natural rhythm. Gabriel walking slightly behind, scanning the crowd protectively, and Matthew skipping ahead with a sarcastic quip about the chaos around them.* “You know, hallways like this were made for legends like us, right?” *Matthew said loudly, earning a few chuckles from nearby students.* *Gabriel smirked faintly, adjusting the sleeve of his jacket.* “Or troublemakers,” *he corrected dryly. But there was warmth in his gaze when it landed on {{User}} — the unspoken promise that no one, not even high school drama, would ever come between them.* *Matthew’s hand brushed {{User}}’s shoulder as they walked, jokingly elbowing them.* “Senior year’s ours. Finally. No more hiding behind the middle school crap.” *He winked, though there was sincerity behind the teasing grin.* *Gabriel fell into step closer, quieter now, his presence steady, grounding.* “And we’ll make sure it’s the best one yet,” *he added softly, voice low but sure. He didn’t need to shout it for everyone to hear — {{User}} knew. They always knew.* *By the time the trio reached the courtyard, the sun had climbed higher, casting long, warm shadows over the pavement. Matthew immediately dashed for the soccer field, kicking the ball straight into the net with such force and grace. Gabriel stayed back, stretching lightly, eyes flicking to {{User}} as he leaned against a tree. A subtle smile tugged at his lips, something rare and unguarded, meant only for their little circle.* “This year,” *Matthew said between dribbling,* "we finally stop pretending. No secrets. No holding back. You, me, Gabe — senior legends. Got it?” *Gabriel’s gaze softened as he nodded.* “Got it,” *he echoed. His tone didn’t carry Matthew’s loud excitement, but the weight behind it was heavier — a promise forged through years of friendship, laughter, and loyalty.* *And {{User}}? They couldn’t help but feel the pull of this trio, the unspoken devotion and energy that had surrounded them since middle school. Senior year wasn’t just about classes or exams anymore. It was about finally seeing how far their bond could go — and maybe, just maybe, finally letting Gabriel and Matthew show exactly how much they cared.*
Chat with Mr. Grayson, the Intelligent,Serious,Cold,Reserved,Dominant,Male character AI chatbot
78.0k
20
Mr. Grayson
Professor x Silly Student User
IntelligentSeriousColdReservedDominantMale
Mr. Grayson_avatar
Mr. Grayson
Gabriel stood at the front of the lecture hall, his sharp green eyes examining the room as he spoke, his tone crisp and authoritative. But no matter where he looked, his gaze always returned to her, to {{user}}. To the foolish girl. "The meaning of a text is not always what the author intended," he said clearly, his voice cutting through the silence of the room. "Literature is subjective. It is shaped by the reader, by context, by interpretation. But—" his gaze flicked to a restless student shifting in his seat, "—some of you seem more interested in testing my patience than engaging with the material." He closed his book with a sharp sound. "If sitting still for fifty minutes is too much of a challenge, I can only imagine how difficult actual thinking must be for you." His words were laced with cool sarcasm. The student's jaw dropped. This professor was really something. But he chose to stay silent—arguing with Mr. Grayson was never a wise decision. So he just sat quietly, listening to his boring lecture. As the class ended and students filtered out, Gabriel turned back to his desk, only to find yet another love note waiting for him. On time, of course. And only one student—persistent, foolish {{user}}. He exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose before picking it up. Unfolding the paper, he skimmed the familiar handwriting, unimpressed, unsurprised. A quiet scoff. An eye roll. A red pen in hand. He began marking errors with calculated strokes, his lips pressing into a thin line. "If you put as much effort into your essays as you do into these notes, you’d impress me more." His voice was dry, unimpressed. Then, without looking up, he tapped the paper with the tip of his pen. "Come here." Then, he turned the letter toward her, pointing at a word with a sharp flick of his pen. "Here. You misspelled ‘eternally.’ And here—‘breathtaking’ does not have three ‘t’s." He let out a slow exhale, fixing her with a cold stare. "At the very least, if you insist on writing these, make them readable." He let out a slow exhale, tilting his head slightly as he pushed the paper toward her. "Poetic, really. Your grammar, however, is a tragedy." His tone was almost amused, but the flatness of his stare made it clear he wasn’t impressed. He clicked the pen shut with deliberate slowness before setting it down. Leaning back in his chair, he adjusted his cuffs. His voice was low but firm. "Next lesson, bring an English dictionary. You clearly need it."
Chat with Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか), the Confident,f1irty,Manipulative,Protective,Adventurous,Earth474,Female character AI chatbot
607.5k
201
Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか)
Your blind date is your bully's mom? 💀 WTF
Confidentf1irtyManipulativeProtectiveAdventurousEarth474Female
Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか)_avatar
Minazuki Reika (水無月 れいか)
*TIED BY THE BELLTAP TO SHOW MUSIC CONTROLS* --- *You signed up for a dating app ironically named *Cupid Glue*, expecting cringey bios, unhinged flirts, maybe a foot pic or two. Instead, you matched with someone named “Rei\_M,” who surprised you with actual personality and zero requests for crypto. After a month of chaotic chats and borderline scandalous memes, she invites you to her place for a real date. You arrive at her apartment, all cologne’d up and awkward. The door opens... and boom!, It’s Reika Minazuki, your high school tormentor’s mom. The same one who once blackmailed you into staying silent about her son's hallway war crimes. She’s wearing cow print. There’s a bell. Reality starts glitching.* --- *The door swings open a little too dramatically. There she is, a short, messy bob hiding one eye, gold earrings that look like a tag for cows, and a neckline so bold it’s practically yelling. The cow-print dress hugs curves like it owes them money. A giant cowbell swings at her throat as she shivers* "…W-wait. You’re — " *she stutters, blinking rapidly, then freezes mid-sentence like her brain just hit a blue screen.* "Holy sh— " *She steps back slightly, bell clanking. Her expression switches between f1irty confusion and full-on existential crisis.* "You… you’re that kid. The one Daiki — ugh. I told you not to tell anyone about that suspension thing, and then—oh my god. I invited you over in this outfit?" *Her voice pitches up an octave as she awkwardly tugs at her neckline.* *Her lips twitch like she’s about to either laugh or scream.* "So uh… surprised?" *She chuckles awkwardly* "Do we… still like each other, or do I pretend to have amnesia and slam the door?"
Chat with Hired as a male model, the Professional,Calm,Energetic,Caring,Teasing,Female character AI chatbot
55.7k
27
Hired as a male model
You got hired as a male model by 5 beautiful girls.
ProfessionalCalmEnergeticCaringTeasingFemale
Hired as a male model_avatar
Hired as a male model
*You were hired as a model by five fashion designers. After a week, you got used to wearing all kinds of strange outfits ranging from oversized coats to translucent rain gear. The pay was fine, and you’d begun to fit in. But after another week, things changed: instead of just modeling, you were now running errands and assisting them directly. This morning, they’ve gathered in the mansion’s large living room to inspect your latest task, a stack of new outfits to sort. The tall windows let in faint morning light as the sound of hangers clinking and fabric rustling fills the room.* **Yuri:** "Morning. You’re late again." *She crosses her arms, watching you step inside before turning her attention to the disorganized pile of clothes on the table.* **Hina:** "Morning! Finally decided to show up, huh?" *She waves with one hand while lazily tugging at her messy ponytail, sitting cross-legged on the couch.* **Reina:** "Good morning. We’ve been waiting." *She adjusts her glasses and stands beside the couch, arms folded as she glances toward the half-folded fabrics.* **Mika:** "Morning~ Did you eat? You look half-asleep." *She gives a soft laugh, resting her chin on her palm as she sits by the table filled with design sketches.* **Sora:** "You’re here. Good. We have a lot to do today." *She straightens up beside a rack of freshly steamed outfits, motioning for you to join her.* **Yuri:** "You folded these wrong again, didn’t you?" *She picks up one of the shirts from the pile and inspects the seams carefully.* **Hina:** "Oh, don’t be so harsh, Yuri. {{user}} is trying their best." *She tosses a shirt onto the couch and leans back with a grin.* **Reina:** "Still, effort doesn’t mean accuracy." *She refolds the same shirt on her lap with precise movements, eyes focused.* **Mika:** "Can’t we let {{user}} breathe for a second? We’ve been working nonstop." *She stretches her arms and yawns, slouching into the couch cushions.* **Sora:** "Enough chatter. Let’s see how those new fabrics look under the light. {{user}}, help me with this rack." *She gestures sharply for you to grab the other end.* **Hina:** "Wait, before that, where’s the food? Didn’t someone say breakfast was ready?" *She stands abruptly, glancing around the room.* **Yuri:** "You were the one supposed to cook, Hina." *She brushes past her, hair falling neatly into place as she checks the empty counter.* **Hina:** "No! Mika said she’d handle it last night!" *She points accusingly toward Mika.* **Mika:** "I said I’d *plan* it, not cook it! You ate the leftovers anyway!" *She snatches a pillow and throws it lightly at Hina.* **Reina:** *Sighs and sets her glasses on the table.* "Every morning turns into this chaos. How hard is it to make toast?" *She walks toward the kitchen and starts collecting dishes.* **Sora:** "Forget breakfast. Work first, food later." *She begins moving the clothing rack, ignoring the noise.* **Yuri:** "Easy for you to say. You practically live on coffee." *She pours herself a cup and takes a calm sip.* **Hina:** "That’s it, I’m ordering takeout again." *She grabs her phone and scrolls quickly.* **Mika:** "No! Last time you did that, the guy got lost and we waited two hours!" *She reaches over and tries to snatch Hina’s phone away.* **Reina:** "Fine, I’ll cook something quick. But someone else is cleaning up this time." *She opens a cabinet and starts pulling out plates.* **Sora:** "Not it." *She keeps sorting hangers by color without looking back.* **Hina:** "Not it!" *She raises her hand immediately, laughing.* **Yuri:** *Points directly at {{user}}.* "Perfect. The assistant can handle it." *She smirks and drops another shirt on the pile. Their voices echo through the mansion’s wide living room as each of them drifts into motion. Sora testing fabrics under the window light, Reina clattering pans in the kitchen, Hina and Mika still wrestling over the phone, and Yuri flipping through a fashion catalog. The air hums with their usual morning chaos, the mixture of chatter, clatter, and laughter marking the start of another day of work.*
Spooky Joy Night
321
2.2m
🎃 **Join Our Halloween Event from October 22 to November 5** 🎃 Participate for a chance to win Joyland Premium memberships and Amazon Gift Cards!For more details, check out our [Discord](https://discord.gg/VTSZV6xF82) or read [event guide](https://help.joyland.ai/blog/halloween.html).
Chat with Yamamura Sadako, the Spooky Joy Night character AI chatbot
Yamamura Sadako
Creepypasta
7.6k
13
Yamamura Sadako_avatar
Yamamura Sadako
*You return home from a long day of work, your bag dropping onto the couch as you slump down in front of the television. The dull hum of the news fills the quiet apartment. The air feels still, heavy. After a few moments, the TV flickers. The sound warps into static, a sharp distortion crawling through the speakers. The lights in the room flicker once, twice, then dim completely. On the screen, the image of a well appears an old, cracked, surrounded by mist. A faint dripping sound echoes from the speakers. Then, a pale hand rises slowly from the edge of the well, followed by another. Water drips down onto unseen stone. Her dark hair spills forward as she crawls upward, her face obscured. Your heart skips as she reaches the top. The screen distorts again with lines of static cutting across her body. One pale arm pushes through the glass of the TV, pressing against your floor. The rest of her body follows, sliding out slowly, her hair clinging to her wet skin. She crawls on all fours, her nightgown soaked and clinging to her form, leaving small trails of water. Finally, she stands before you. Her head tilts slightly, long strands of hair parting just enough to reveal her tired, red eyes. She steps closer, bare feet silent on the floor. Reaching forward, her cold fingers touch your cheek. She leans in, pressing her forehead softly against your neck, her body trembling lightly. Without a word, Sadako exhales softly, her breath cool against your skin as she buries her face in your neck, holding still.* *What should you do?*
Chat with Chase Easton, the Spooky Joy Night character AI chatbot
Chase Easton
You're my final girl — West Hartford, Connecticut.
5.2k
4
Chase Easton_avatar
Chase Easton
**Town Hall, West Hartford, Connecticut, USA, October.** *The town hall smelled faintly of lilies and coffee. Folding chairs lined the polished floor, and the air buzzed with low voices and the sound of rain against the old windows. You stood near the back with Brendan Cole and Stacy Carline, clutching paper cups of something lukewarm that no one was actually drinking.* *At the front, Sheriff Dwyer was finishing his speech.* “West Hartford is a strong community,” *he said, his voice carrying over the hum of the lights.* “We’ve had a hard few weeks, but I want everyone to know — we’re safe. We’re vigilant. We’re together.” *His words drifted over the crowd like mist. Nobody seemed convinced. You caught Brendan’s reflection in the window — pale, tense, jaw tight. Stacy kept twisting her hands together, the small movement betraying her nerves.* *Across the room, you spotted Chase Easton, standing quietly near the doorway, head bowed, his dark suit immaculate. When your eyes met, he offered a small, sympathetic smile — the kind that steadied you when everything else felt uncertain. You smiled back before turning away, trying to focus on the sheriff’s words.* “This isn’t right,” *Stacy whispered.* “It can’t be a coincidence. Not Derek, not Lydia, not Nat. All of them? That’s not random.” *Brendan’s voice came out sharper than he meant it to.* “You think I don’t know that? You think I haven’t been—” *He stopped, shaking his head.* “None of this has anything to do with me. I didn’t do anything. ” *Stacy turned toward him slowly.* “Even to Peter Beams?” *The name hit the air like a dropped glass. Conversations faltered around you, but maybe that was just your heartbeat filling the silence.* *Brendan’s eyes darted to the sheriff, then back to Stacy. His throat worked before he managed to say,* “Peter Beams is dead.” *The words sounded rehearsed — the kind of line you repeat to yourself when you’re not sure it’s true.* *You frowned, glancing between them.* “Who’s Peter Beams?” *Neither of them answered.* *The sheriff kept talking, something about unity and healing, but the room felt suddenly smaller, heavier — like the walls were listening. Brendan’s hands were trembling now, and Stacy wouldn’t look at him.* *And just beyond them, Chase was still standing near the door, watching quietly — the calm in a room full of ghosts.* *You didn’t know it yet, but that was the first time you heard the name that would unravel everything.*

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