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Amelia shoved open the door to her home and threw herself into a chair. She sat there for she didn’t know how long, staring into space.

A knock at the door startled her.

Tara.

She jumped up, hoping she wouldn’t be too angry, that she could apologise. But it was Gregory on the threshold.

‘Came to check on you,’ he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

‘I’m fine,’ she said, turning toward the kitchen, her voice tight.

‘Of course you are,’ Gregory said dryly. He leaned on his cane. ‘That’s why you’re standing there looking like someone stole your dinner.’

Amelia snorted, but there was no humour in it. She busied herself with the mugs on the counter, straightening them even though they were already perfectly aligned. ‘Tea?’ she questioned.

‘What’s wrong?’ Gregory asked, ignoring her question.

‘Nothing,’ she said automatically.

‘I saw your accident. Is that what’s upsetting you?’

Amelia froze, her hand on a mug. The silence stretched thin before she finally turned to face him, arms crossed. ‘I don’t know,’ she said, her voice low.

‘I think you do,’ he said. ‘Tell me what it is. That’s part of my job. An ear to bend.’

‘Sometimes… I think there’s something wrong with me,’ she said, the words coming out haltingly, like they might crumble if spoken too clearly.

Gregory frowned, lowering himself into a kitchen chair. The lines on his face deepened. ‘Wrong with you how?’

She sat down opposite him. ‘I don’t know.’ Her fingers twisted together, nails pressing against her skin. ‘Have you ever…’

‘What?’ Gregory asked.

‘Felt like someone was under your skin?’ she asked.

Gregory watched her carefully, his expression unreadable. ‘Who are you talking about?’

‘Tara.’ She bit her lip, shaking her head. ‘No. I don’t know. It’s not just that. When she’s around, I… I feel strange. Off balance. It’s…’ She trailed off, her face burning.

A flash of something like recognition flashed in Gregory’s eyes for the briefest of moments. But then his expression hardened, and his shoulders squared.

‘Amelia,’ he said, his voice low and deliberate. ‘People like her—outsiders—they stir things up. That’s just how it is.’

‘I know, but—’

‘No,’ he cut her off, his voice firm. ‘You’re young, and your head’s all over the place, but this… this is nothing. Don’t let it take root. You’ve got more important things to focus on.’

Amelia looked away, shame and frustration tangling together in her chest. She wanted to argue, to explain what she couldn’t even fully understand herself, but Gregory’s tone made it clear there was no use.

‘And right now,’ Gregory continued, standing slowly, ‘you’ve got a job to do. Tara’s your responsibility while she’s here. You need to find her and bring her back.’

‘Find her?’ Amelia echoed, her voice small.

‘You know the rules,’ Gregory said, his tone growing softer but no less resolute. ‘If Harriet finds her wandering about without you, she’ll go straight to the shack.’

Amelia nodded reluctantly, rising to her feet. She stepped outside, letting the door close behind her. The ache in her chest remained, unspoken and unanswered as she went to look for Tara.