But there was no time to rest—not here.
They were still deep in Rose Shadow Garden territory, and safety was a distant dream.
Rose glanced around, her instincts kicking in.
"Let's get out of here—quickly," she said, her voice low but firm.
Kayla nodded, her arm wrapped protectively around Annie as she helped her to her feet.
"Yeah. That's more than enough for one night."
Together, they moved fast—no words, no hesitation. Just survival.
Rose led the way to the car she had parked down the block, eyes scanning every corner, every shadow.
They had no idea who might've been watching.
But one thing was clear:
They couldn't afford to be seen. Not yet.
They quickly moved away from the location
Back at the house, the moment the door closed behind them, Annie broke.
She collapsed onto the couch, the weight of everything—grief, guilt, relief—crashing down on her all over again. Her tears came harder than before, not from pain, but from everything she had carried alone for far too long.
Rose sat beside her without hesitation. Kayla knelt in front of her, arms gently wrapped around her.
"It's okay now," Kayla whispered. "I'm here. I'm really here."
Slowly, Annie's sobs softened into shuddered breaths.
Only then—when the storm calmed—did Kayla finally speak.
"There's something else," she said, her voice turning serious.
"I didn't just survive… I saw her."
Rose's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
Kayla's gaze darkened.
"The one behind it all. The real Black Rose."
Kayla's gaze darkened.
"The one behind it all. The real Black Rose."
Annie lifted her head slowly, tears still streaking her cheeks.
"You know who she is?"
Kayla nodded.
"I saw her face. I remember everything."
Annie blinked, stunned by Kayla's words.
She saw her. The Black Rose. The one behind it all.
A spark lit in Annie's eyes—not rage this time, but clarity.
"So you've seen her face…" Annie said slowly. "That means it'll be easier to track her down. We're closer than ever now."
Kayla nodded, but her expression was firm.
"Yes, but we need to do it the right way. We have to investigate—quietly, smartly."
She reached out, gently placing a hand on Annie's arm.
"And Annie… promise me something."
Annie looked at her.
"Don't go on another rampage. Please. Killing doesn't solve everything."
Annie's gaze lowered.
For a moment, it was like the weight of all those names and faces she'd erased caught up to her in a single breath.
"I… I just wanted to make them pay."
"I know," Kayla said softly. "But don't lose yourself. We already lost too much."
Rose stayed silent, watching them both with quiet intensity.
Because deep down… she knew they were about to walk into something far more dangerous than before.