Paul paced his bedroom, phone in hand, trying again and again to reach Mick. Messages had gone unanswered all afternoon, and the longer the silence stretched, the more frayed Paul's nerves became.

Ken could do nothing but watch, his own frustration simmering.

"What if something's happened to him?" Paul asked, flopping onto the bed beside Ken.

"I can't stand this," Ken said, pulling out his phone and dialling Luke. Paul's eyes widened at the name on the screen.

"Mick has gone missing?" Ken demanded the moment Luke answered.

"He's fine. He's sitting at the bus stop near the dormitories," Luke replied.

"You're watching him?" Ken asked, incredulous.

"Mmmm," Luke murmured.

Paul, overhearing the conversation, snatched the phone from Ken. "Mick's not okay! Why are you doing this to him?"

"Do you think I'm happy about this? Do you think I like watching him suffer?" Luke snapped. "If we don't follow the same timeline as before, my life is still in danger."

Paul froze at the outburst. Ken gently took the phone back.

"Don't worry. We'll make sure everything goes as planned," Ken said, then hung up.

Paul buried his face in his hands, tears streaking down. "He doesn't die. He's not dead! Why not tell Mick? How can we do this to him?"

"You don't understand," Ken said quietly. "The timeline can't be broken. If we do anything to change it, Luke dies."

"But he's alive now," Paul argued.

"Yes, for now. But if Mick doesn't follow the same timeline, those trying to kill Luke might succeed this time."

At that moment, Paul's phone rang. Mick's name flashed on the screen. Paul wiped his eyes and answered.

"Where are you?" he asked, voice trembling.

"I'm on my way back to the dorm. Can I... stay in your room tonight?" Mick asked.

"Of course. Come straight here," Paul said, looking at Ken.

"Okay," Mick replied.

Ken and Paul stood, and Paul followed him to the door.

"I won't contact you. And don't contact me. Not a word about what you know. Okay?" Ken said, wiping away Paul's tears.

Paul nodded. Ken leaned down and gently kissed Paul before leaving. Paul retreated to the bathroom to wash his face, staring at his reflection: tired, worn, and uncertain how much longer he could handle this. Back in his room, he retrieved a second pillow and blanket for Mick.

When Mick arrived, both of their faces were red and puffy, yet they shared a glum grin.

"We look a mess," Paul said. Mick nodded.

"Are you okay?" Paul asked as they moved to sit on the bed together.

Mick let out a long sigh. "I knew he wouldn't be there."

"Maybe it's not the right time?" Paul suggested gently.

"Then... when is the right time?" Mick asked, voice tinged with despair.

Paul shook his head, looking away. "I don't know."

~

Ken stared at Luke in shock. "Poisoned?!"

Luke had come to Ken's bedroom early Saturday morning, waking him with the news Mick had shared the night before.

"Mmmm... that's what Mick said," Luke replied quietly.

"But if you know this now, wouldn't that change the future? Unless... you knowing this doesn't change the future," Ken said, his brow furrowing as he spoke.

"Exactly. I promised Mick I would meet him today at this time," Luke said, handing Ken the timeline he and Mick had written. "I don't think I'll be able to meet him, but you can. You've met him several times in his timeline."

"Really?" Ken said, eyes widening as he glanced at the detailed timeline. "Interesting... Hang on. It says I disappear too. What does that mean?"

"I don't know," Luke admitted. "All Mick could tell me was what happened in his timeline. But it's clear you meet him, so it must mean something."

Ken nodded, placing the paper carefully on the desk.

"There's something more that's bothering me," Luke said.

Ken didn't look up. "Why, how, and when are you poisoned? And does this have anything to do with your grandfather?"

"Exactly. And now that I know this, how can I use it to my advantage?" Luke replied. "I need to speak to my cousins."

It took some time to arrange a meeting, and it wasn't until late afternoon that Luke, Jan, and Jamie were finally together at the near-empty cafe by the dormitory.

"Sorry I couldn't get away sooner," Jan said, sliding into the seat.

"That's okay. Thank you for meeting me," Luke replied.

"How was the luncheon?" Jamie asked.

"Good," Jan replied. "We'll get some strong connections from the people I met today."

"Well done," Jamie said.

"How was your day?" Jan asked her sister.

"Good. I finished the proposals you asked me to complete and left them with Mother for review," Jamie said.

"Excellent," Jan nodded. Then she turned to Luke. "And you? How was your day?"

Luke hesitated. "Is it really okay for me not to join the business? You're both working so hard. I feel like I'm a burden."

Both women shook their heads immediately.

"Don't think that way, Luke," Jan said firmly.

"You're not a burden," Jamie added. "We all have our dreams. You have yours too."

Luke let out a sigh. "I'm okay... but I wanted to ask—Jan, you thought the situation with Grandfather was suspicious. Did you find out anything?"

Jan shook her head. "When I spoke to doctors at the hospital about my suspicions, they brushed me off and told me to stop asking."

"That sounds like they're definitely hiding something," Jamie said.

Jan nodded. "That's my thought too. But whatever is going on, I think Grandfather may be trying to protect us."

"You think it's that serious?" Jamie asked.

"I do," Jan replied. "I mentioned it to Mother, and she said to say nothing. But it seems she and Aunt are also suspicious."

Luke glanced between his cousins, hesitating.

"Is everything okay, Luke?" Jan asked.

"We know that if something happens to Grandfather, everything is left to me," Luke said, and both women nodded.

"If something happens to me, then who benefits from that?" Luke asked, looking from Jan to Jamie.

"I have no idea," Jan said, shaking her head. "That would be a question for your parents."

"What are you thinking, Luke?" Jamie asked.

Luke shook his head, unsure how much to reveal. "It's just a thought I can't shake."

"Are you suggesting Grandfather gave everything to you because his life might be in danger?" Jamie asked cautiously. Then she added, "Has something happened to you? Are you in danger?"

Luke shook his head. "Nothing's happened... but—"

"You want to know if something happens to both you and Grandfather, who inherits everything?" Jan suggested.

Luke nodded.

"You should definitely speak to your parents," Jan advised.

Luke nodded again. "You're right. I wanted to check with you first if you found out anything more."

"Sorry, Luke," Jan said. "I don't know any more than last time."

Luke returned to his dormitory and called his mother, but was surprised when his father answered.

"Father, is Mother with you?" Luke asked.

"She's getting changed before heading to the hospital. Was there something you needed her for?" his father replied.

"Actually, I wanted to speak to both of you. Can you wait for me there?" Luke asked.

"Of course. I'll send a car over to pick you up. We'll see you when you get here," his father said.

At the main house, Luke first went to the office but found it empty. As he headed toward the sitting room, he came across his father.

"Father, hello," Luke greeted.

"Luke," his father said, pulling him into a hug with a warm smile. "Is everything okay?"

"Is Mother here?" Luke asked, "I won't to talk to you both.

"She had to go. She apologised for not waiting but said she would call you after her visit with Grandfather," his father explained.

"They still don't know why he's unconscious or when he might wake?" Luke asked.

"No. There's been no news. Mother has been there every moment she has free should he wake.

"Oh! Okay," Luke said, disappointed at his father comment.

"Hey, what's with that face? You can talk to me, you know. I might not know much about study or work, but I'm good with people," his father said, patting Luke's shoulder.

Luke smiled. "Thanks, Father. Actually, I wanted to ask about what happens with the business and properties if something were to happen to me."

His father looked thoughtful. "That...," he glanced back at Luke, "...is a question for your mother."

Luke nodded.

"Are you in a hurry to leave?" his father asked.

"I should head back to the dorms. I need to study for exams," Luke replied.

"An extremely important time for you. I understand. Hang on a moment." His father walked away, returning shortly with a brown paper bag.

"This was on the kitchen cabinet. It has your name on it," he said, handing Luke the bag.

"Are the kitchen staff still making these for Grandfather?" Luke asked, taking the bag.

"No. They made these are for you. Snack on them while you're studying, hopefully they will help you to focus," his father said with a small smile.

Luke smiled back. "Thank you. Every time I got them, someone else always seemed to eat them. I'll make sure to keep these ones for myself."

His father chuckle. "Then, it was a good thing you came home today. Take them. I'm tired of sneaking them out and throwing them away."

Luke laughed and hugged his father goodbye.

Back in the car, he opened the bag and took out a cookie, biting into it. The dryness of the dough over his teeth sent a shiver down his back, much like chalk on a board, but after the initial bitter taste, a sweet honeyed flavour lingered. Encouraged, he helped himself to a second and a third, pleased to finally enjoy the cookies in peace.