Yamin folded her arms, looking unconvinced.
"You know I can't do that on my own," she said. "Not unless the counsellor approves it."
Jasmine placed a hand gently on her shoulder and offered a calm smile.
"I know. Just trust me."
After a brief exchange, Yamin requested to leave. Jasmine nodded and watched her go, her thoughts spinning.
Time travel... it sounds insane, Jasmine thought. But I believe her—not him.
She was thinking about Tony.
Back at home, Elsie and Skyler sat in tense silence. The air felt heavy and unmoving.
Everything that had happened was still fresh—Tony's accusation, the chaos unfolding around them. For Elsie, the pain hit differently. It wasn't just fear. It was confusion, guilt, and the crushing weight of not knowing.
Suddenly, Elsie stood.
"Let's go to Z-12," she said. "He may have found something."
Skyler nodded. "Let's go."
They left quickly. The sun had already begun to lean into late afternoon as they made their way to Z-12's lab. This time, Mela wasn't with them.
When they arrived, Elsie stopped just outside, visibly drained.
"You go in," she told Skyler. "I'll wait here."
Skyler nodded and stepped inside. But Elsie didn't stay put for long. After a moment, she followed and sat on a bench by the entrance.
"You look for him," she said. "I'll wait here."
But her mind wouldn't rest. A minute later, she stood and wandered off—first to the experiment room, then to the infirmary. When she didn't find anything, she climbed the narrow stairs to the study room and scanned the bookshelves. Still nothing.
She came back downstairs just as Skyler returned from searching.
"He's not there," Skyler said. "Maybe he's asleep."
Elsie hesitated. They were running out of time.
Without another word, she pushed past her and walked deeper into the lab. Her eyes darted across the room, scanning every corner. Skyler followed, confused.
"I want... I—yeah, it's here," Elsie muttered.
Then she stopped, her gaze locked onto a high shelf. Reaching up, she pulled down a small, metallic bell. It glinted softly under the overhead lights.
"I got it," she whispered.
She moved past Skyler again and approached the door to Z-12's private chamber. She paused for a second, then slowly pushed it open.
The room was dim and quiet, lit only by the soft hum and glow of nearby equipment.
Z-12 lay asleep on the bed, chest bare, his breathing calm and steady.
Elsie stood at the door and gently used the stick to ring the clock bell. It rang—but he still slept. He felt lifeless. Still, it was just loud enough to stir him. Yet he remained asleep.
Elsie sighed. She was tired.
When he finally woke up, she had already turned away, pretending to be uninterested—gazing at Skyler, who stood there waiting for results.
"You're really here," she suddenly heard Acarias speak behind her.
Elsie froze for a moment, then turned to look at him. His chest was bare—his abs clearly showing. She blinked and looked away.
"I tried waking you up. I wasn't trying to harm you again," she said, trying to steady her voice. Then, in a quieter tone, she added, "Could you... please put on a shirt?"
It was hard not to notice him, and she didn't like the way her attention kept drifting.
He didn't argue. As he slipped on a shirt, Elsie turned and went first. She returned to the lab and carefully placed the bell back where she had taken it.
Skyler watched her, surprised. But then again, it was normal—for a loving sister, desperate to get her brother back.
In the meantime, they began discussing the situation with Acarias. But the conversation felt incomplete.
"We can't continue without Mela," Elsie said.
"I'll go look for her. You can stay here," Skyler offered.
"No, I'll go with you," Elsie said quickly. Then in a softer, more tender voice, she added, "I'm not trying to leave you alone."
"It's alright," Acarias interrupted. "You need to move quickly. There's no time to waste—not even a second."
The girls nodded and hurried out of the lab, heading toward the Judgment Hall—Mela's headquarters.
Everything appeared under control. Soldiers stood stationed outside.
"Thank God," Skyler whispered.
They approached one of the maids near the entrance.
"We're looking for Mela," Elsie said.
"She's upstairs," the maid replied calmly. "Follow me."
Elsie and Skyler followed her up the narrow staircase. As they reached the second floor, they found Mela in the middle of mopping one of the rooms.
"Let's devise the—" Skyler started, but stopped as Mela raised a hand.
"I'm done. Just a minute," Mela said.
She moved quickly, albeit a little shabby in her steps. In haste, she put everything in order, wiped her hands, and joined them.
Despite the rush, the room she was in was sparkling clean.