Quinn was with that girl once again tonight.

Nep remained hidden in the alleys, careful not to step out into the lights. She didn’t want to shock anyone with her Imago’s form, cloaked as it was. Some of the Echoes were with her again, as well. E1-Friend walked alongside her. E1-Taurus was not here today. E1-Serenade sat perched on her shoulder. They were remarkably calm in her presence. At least compared to what the previous records had shown.

“What do you think?” she asked the insect sitting on her shoulder.

“It’s possible.” Replied Laccotrephes. The symbiote had seen her fair share of demons, and yet...

“She’s not in any of our databases. Nothing. She must be a new one. Which would mean that Ecto is not who we think he is.”

“It would be her, instead,” the insect confirmed. “And the number of Echoes in her entourage supports the hypothesis.”

Nep hummed to herself, tapping her lip nervously. Quinn and Thea kept walking down the street, passing her alley without as much as a second glance, apparently deep in conversation. Thea said something and Quinn laughed in response. At least they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“If it’s her,” Nep said, “Then what’s the correct protocol?”

The insect on her shoulder paused for a few seconds. “Report to Mali.”

Mali. “I don’t want to deal with her right now though. She’ll get mad at me for focusing too much on Ecto. Do we have to report back? How big of a problem can this be, anyways? It seems that she has taken a liking to Quinn.”

“And vice versa.”

“True, true. We should maybe curb that a little bit. But it seems she’s not causing any trouble, here. We should focus on neutralizing Ecto instead. Especially if what I’ve observed is true.”

“It is. You know, we’re really glad to have someone as nosy as you, Nep.”

“What can I say? I hate being left in the dark.”

***

It was still bright out when Nep returned to Sanctuary 73. The streets were still packed with people, none noticing the young woman walk down towards the front door. The glass was frosty from the evening chill. The lights were on inside, and a boy was inside the bar.

A boy was inside the bar.

Impossible. “Only angels can notice this place,” Nep whispered. “And angels are... not boys. Usually. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” said Laccotrephes.

Nap transformed back to her human form so as to not startle him when she entered. He looked to be young. Sixteen, maybe, with a lone white streak in his otherwise black hair. He wore a green rain jacket and jeans, with a black knapsack slung over his shoulder. The door opened, the rush of wind drawing his attention.

“Don’t be afraid,” Nep said.

“I’m sorry for intruding,” he said. “I didn’t know that other people—“

“No. Don’t worry about it.” Nep made her way behind the counter and took out a glass, pretending to be focused on filling it with water as she scanned the room for Vespa. “Can I get you anything? Anything non-alcoholic, that is.”

“I’m fine thanks. I’m just...”

“What brings you here?” There she was. Vespa flew in through the back door, perching just out of view. “How did you find this place?”

“I’m looking for someone named Quinn Lee.”

Nep raised an eyebrow. “And how did you hear that name?”

“She went to my school.” He held up his phone. A picture of her. That shouldn’t have been possible. They should’ve all been destroyed. “I saw her walk in here a few times, so I thought maybe she’d be here.”

“Vespa, explain,” she mouthed. “Well, aren’t you quite the stalker, young man?” She smiled. “It’s not nice to follow your classmates like that.”

“I’m worried. Because nobody else remembers her. Not even with the photos”

“Neither of us understand, Nep,” said Laccotrephes. “You’re right. This shouldn’t be possible. Everything connected to her should have been erased. The fact that this boy has memories of her and even photographs requires further investigation.”

“Fine.” Nep drained her glass and set it down on the counter. “Come. I need to have a chat with you.” She headed towards the front door. “Well?”

He hesitated for a moment before following her out.