The Shadow Life (Completed)

✨Chapter 22: Operation Surprise

Vanessa woke up before sunrise with a mission burning in her chest. She crept around the house like a ninja on a secret quest—though not very quietly—bumping into a chair and nearly tripping over Lily's stuffed unicorn. But she didn’t stop. She knocked on each of her sisters' doors with a dramatic flair, announcing in a theatrical whisper:

"Sisters, rise! We have urgent matters to discuss!"

Emma opened the door with one eye open. "Vanessa, if this is about who used the last of the hair conditioner, I swear I will throw my pillow at you."

"No! It’s more important than that. Emergency sisters' meeting in the hallway. Now."

Minutes later, all four sisters were gathered on the hallway floor like undercover agents. Vanessa stood before them, hands on hips like a general prepping her troops.

"Ladies," she began dramatically, "Mom and Dad’s anniversary is in just a few days."

Lily gasped. "The party has passed! I knew it! I’m the only one who remembers things. Honestly, I feel like I’m the only good child in this house."

Cybella rolled her eyes. "Lily, the last anniversary was last year. And Dad forgot. Remember how he got Mom an electric toothbrush because it was the only thing open at the store?"

Emma snorted. "Classic Dad."

Vanessa clapped her hands. "Focus! This year, we’re doing it right. It’s also my last day at home before I leave for college, and I want to make it special. A real surprise. Emma, you’re in charge of inviting Mom and Dad's friends and family."

"What? Why me?"

"Because you have the contact list. And also… they like you more."

Emma blinked. "...That’s fair."

Vanessa turned to Cybella. "You’re on music. I want it vintage. Like 1920s swing music. Jazz, saxophones, the whole vibe."

Cybella groaned. "Do I look like a time traveler to you?"

Vanessa smirked. "You literally built gloves that can swap clothes. You’ll figure it out."

Lily pouted, arms crossed. "What about me? You forgot me. Again."

Vanessa knelt in front of her youngest sister and tapped her nose. "You, Lily, have the most important job. You’ll distract Mom and Dad while we set everything up. Keep them away from the backyard. Use your chaos powers."

Lily stood tall, pride in her eyes. "I shall be the royal decoy."

"Exactly." Vanessa smiled softly, letting her gaze linger on her sisters for a moment. Her voice lowered. "This might be the last time I get to pull off something like this with all of you. I just... want it to be perfect."

There was a beat of silence. Even Lily didn’t crack a joke.

Then Emma raised her hand dramatically. "Operation Surprise: activated."

They all high-fived like a superhero squad before tiptoeing back to their rooms.

---

Later that morning, Cybella got dressed and headed to the headquarters. She wanted to see her friends—and maybe test the odd playlist of jazz and swing she’d thrown together.

She followed the hover path winding through the garden, humming an upbeat 20s tune that was growing on her way too fast.

But the moment she stepped through the headquarters door, she stopped cold.

It was silent. The kind of silence that made your spine itch.

No Nova.

No Zane.

Only Ethan.

He hadn’t noticed her. He was hunched over the main table, screens glowing blue and red around him, soft beeps filling the metallic room. His fingers moved fast, typing something intense, scrolling through data like time was running out.

Cybella blinked, unsure what she was seeing.

A flashing file caught her eye behind him. It pulsed faintly on one of the side monitors. Its title?

Project Halcyon - Access Restricted

Her heart skipped.

She took a step forward—and the floor creaked.

Ethan spun around.

“Cybella?”

He looked surprised. But not startled. And definitely not relaxed.

She tried to smile. “Hey. I thought I’d stop by and... check on things.”

He stood slowly. "Yeah. Things are... busy."

A pause.

Too long.

She looked at the screen again. He followed her gaze, then quickly tapped a key. The file disappeared.

Something was definitely going on.

To be continued...