It had been confirmed that Carmine had been missing since yesterday. His day with Elid had been the most beautiful experience of his life, yet after his disappearance, much of his personal story remained a mystery. Now, Dola listened as the Monster Squad discussed forming a search party.

"He's a ghost, probably in heaven, you idiot," Hathen coughed, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Yeah, maybe a ghost," Odin muttered, "but that doesn't mean he's in heaven. He has to be somewhere."

"He drowned," Deli said, shivering. "But it wasn't a merman or anything like that. Seaweed tangled around his leg, and I couldn't save him." Tears filled her eyes.

Dola continued listening. Elid was still crying, speaking about how much she loved Carmine, his charm, his confidence, and the way he embraced being feminine. As she comforted herself, something about her tone struck Dola as strange. A quiet chuckle escaped her lips.

A thought flashed in Dola's mind. This was not just an accident. It could not be Uvital. The drowning did not feel right. It felt planned.

Hathen and Rockin, meanwhile, were rushing around, clearly up to something. They were late for a banquet at Boardwalk Hall, a grand event filled with fresh fruits, richly seasoned vegetables, and tender meats. It was meant to be a lively evening.

The two burst through the door, scrambling through their rooms, throwing on thrift store suits and hastily combing their hair. They dashed down the stairs like hunted animals, panting, sweating, and nearly collapsing before stopping to catch their breath.

Then they froze. They had forgotten their handkerchiefs.

Odin and Uvital watched them in disbelief.

"We still have time," Hathen said, coughing again. "Let's just walk."

Rockin grinned. "Yeah, I even fell earlier for no reason. Still perfect, though."

Oxin and Uvital exchanged amused glances. Rockin blushed and turned away.

Elid came downstairs and quietly asked, "Do you want to walk in the park?"

Oxin smiled gently. "We can come with you, or if you want to be alone, that is okay too. We will find Carmine. I promise."

"No," Elid said, wiping her tears. "I need to handle this myself. But if you find him, bring him to me."

Dola slipped out of the building, pretending to leave casually. Odin noticed her strange behavior.

Gorham and Crisker also exited, moving more calmly. Elid separated from the group and headed toward the train station.

Dola followed silently, watching Elid move quickly and urgently. She slipped onto the train just as Elid boarded, with Gorham close behind.

Inside, the train was calm and fragrant with the scent of roses. Elid sat alone until the ticket collector approached. Suddenly, she stood and handed over three tickets.

Dola and Gorham exchanged confused looks.

Then Elid turned, anger flashing in her eyes. "You two are suspicious. I do not trust you. You call us monsters, but you are the real enemies."

Her voice broke. "Those tickets were for Oxin and Uvital for a trip to New York, but Carmine is gone."

Dola's expression hardened. Something was not right.

Then Elid spoke again, her voice softer and conflicted. "I loved him, but maybe not the right way. I was lonely. I wanted someone. I wanted him to love me, but sometimes I did not like who he was or what he asked of me."

Dola stepped forward. "Love is not a game. It is painful, and if you use someone to fill a void, it becomes something worse. You and Carmine were not ready. You were both searching for something you did not understand."

Elid collapsed, sobbing. "I am always judged because I am transgender. I just wanted to be loved. Please, where is Carmine?"

The train stopped.

Elid ran into a crowded amusement park, calling his name. Carmine floated above the chaos.

"Carmine!"

He turned for a moment, then drifted away.

"No, wait," Elid cried, chasing him.

Oxin and Uvital arrived, calling out his name as well.

A dark figure appeared nearby. A Grim Reaper on a skeletal horse moved through the wind, sending a chill through the air.

Oxin and Uvital pushed through the crowd to follow, but the figure vanished.

"The forest," Oxin said. "That is where it went."

They ran.

Deep in the woods, Carmine stood beneath the stars. "I wish I could see her again," he whispered.

The Grim Reaper appeared behind him. "What are your last words?"

Carmine trembled. "I want a new life. I cannot stay like this."

"Elid," he gasped.

She burst into the clearing. "Do not go. I will change, I swear."

But it was too late.

The Reaper reached for him. Elid lunged forward, and both of them were pulled into darkness.

There was no world, no people, only emptiness.

They faced each other.

"This is not love," Elid whispered. "I do not understand it."

"I just know I still love you," Carmine said.

They embraced.

Time passed.

They were reborn as two small chicks, chirping under the warmth of their mother, peaceful and together.

Far away, the others stood in silence. A faint whisper lingered in the air.

"Goodbye, beautiful world."

Dola watched everything unfold, her thoughts racing. The truth was deeper than anyone realized.

Gorham smiled faintly. "Case one is complete."

Dola's eyes narrowed. Something was not over yet.