THE ALGORITHM OF FEAR

5~THE LAB TECH

He shook his head. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're feeling better."

She sipped her coffee, the warmth grounding her. "I feel... clearer. Like last night was a nightmare that's finally ended. I don't know if it's really over, but at least right now, I feel normal."

"That's all that matters," he said, his voice steady. "One step at a time."

They chatted casually over breakfast, the tension of the previous night melting away as they shared laughs and lighthearted stories. For a while, it felt like nothing had ever gone wrong. After breakfast, Eve stood up and stretched, the weight of the night before seeming to lift. "I should probably get ready for work," she said, glancing at the clock. "I have a backlog of cases to review at the forensic lab."

Ivaan frowned slightly but nodded. "Are you sure you're up for it? You've been through a lot." She gave him a reassuring smile. "I need to keep busy. Besides, I have to find out more about that blood sample from last night. Maybe it'll give us some answers." He stood and walked her to the door. "Just promise me you'll take it easy and call me if anything feels off."

"I promise," she said, grabbing her bag. She paused, looking at him earnestly. "Ivaan... I don't know what's happening to me, but having you here makes me feel like I can handle it."

Eve hopped into the passenger seat of Ivaan's car, her mood visibly brighter. The morning sunlight gleamed on the windshield as he started the engine. "You're in a good mood," Ivaan remarked, glancing at her with a playful smile. "I guess I just needed a reset," she replied, leaning back in her seat. "Last night was... intense, but this morning feels normal. And I really needed normal." "Normal's good," he agreed. "But I'll be keeping tabs on you just in case." She laughed softly. "You sound like a worried parent." "Hey, someone has to look out for you," he teased. As they drove through the city, the conversation flowed effortlessly. They reminisced about college days, debated the best coffee shops in town, and joked about the ridiculous late-night escapades they used to have. At one point, Eve reached over and fiddled with the radio, landing on an upbeat song. She cranked up the volume and started singing along, slightly off-key but full of energy. "Oh no," Ivaan groaned, laughing. "Not the karaoke queen comeback." "Don't act like you don't love it," she retorted, grinning.

He joined in, their combined voices turning into a hilariously chaotic duet that had them both laughing so hard they had to catch their breath. By the time they approached the forensic lab, the air in the car was light, almost carefree...a stark contrast to the tension of the night before. Ivaan pulled up to the entrance and parked. "Here we are," he said, turning to her. "You sure you're good to go in?" Eve nodded. "Yeah. I need to dive back into work and figure some things out. But... thanks for this morning. I didn't realize how much I needed it."

He smiled warmly. "Anytime. You've got this." She hesitated for a moment, then leaned over and hugged him tightly. "Don't let me scare you away, okay?" she whispered. "Not a chance," he replied, holding her briefly before letting go. Eve stepped out of the car, her confidence renewed. As she walked toward the building, she turned back and waved, her smile genuine. Ivaan watched her disappear into the lab, a mix of pride and worry in his chest. Whatever was haunting her, they'd face it together. For now, though, he was just grateful she was smiling again.

Inside the forensic lab, Eve walked with purpose, her mind racing. The familiar sterile environment felt more oppressive than usual as she made her way to her workstation. Memories of the blood match from the previous night flooded back her blood inexplicably matching the blood found on the painting. She paused, her hand tightening on her bag strap. Something about that forensic tech who discovered the match had unsettled her. His probing gaze, the way he lingered as if waiting for a reaction it hadn't felt like routine curiosity.