Lucky had not been exposed to the fog for long, so after a little while, she was back to normal. When Natalie called her to go home, her face even showed this oddly human-like embarrassment. What the heck? She clearly came chasing after them to check if her human and Hottie were sneaking snacks without her, especially those strawberry-flavored ones. So why on earth did she end up bawling? Totally ruined her big, tough image! Still, annoyance aside, before leaving, she could not help sneaking another glance at that "strawberry wrapper" by the trash can. What was that thing anyway? Never seen it before. So curious! Natalie caught her in the act and gave her a swift kick on the butt. "Get home already!" Lucky tucked her tail and dashed out the door. Olivia stood at the doorway, shaking her walkie-talkie with a grin. "Remember to keep in touch!" Natalie nodded and left with Cassian and the dog. Out on the main road, to avoid Lucky going nuts again, Natalie pulled out a half-mask gas respirator and strapped it on her. The dog tilted her head, puzzled why her "mask" did not match her human's and Hottie's. "Ow ow?" What, exclusion again? Natalie caught the meaning, kicked her rump again, and snapped, "Cut the crap, let's go!" She and Cassian were wearing full-face masks, which gave better protection. It was not like she did not want the dog to have one—it was just that with a head the size of a watermelon, there was no way it would fit. Covering her nose and mouth with a half-mask was already enough. Cassian watched the little back-and-forth between the girl and the dog, amused. "Why did Lucky come running out here anyway?" Natalie first shot the dog a glare before answering. "She probably thought that ... that thing was some kind of new snack. She figured we were secretly enjoying it behind her back, so she came out to spy on us." With a sigh, she added, "So scheming!" Lucky's ears perked, listening intently, but she deliberately turned her head away, pretending she did not hear. Cassian let out a low chuckle. "We were sneaking it behind her back." Natalie immediately switched her glare from the dog to him. "Shut your mouth!" Lucky, however, acted like she had just found evidence, twisting her neck and barking a few times. See? Hottie admitted it! Why won't you? Natalie ignored both of them and started walking down the road. Cassian tugged her hand. "Nattie, you're going the wrong way. Home's over there." Natalie yanked him back. "We're going to pick up supplies." A lot of stuff was still stashed at their old house. No way she would just leave it behind. Since they were already out, they might as well collect it—better to cut down on trips outside later. She definitely did not want to end up like in her previous life, stuck with migraines. The three of them soon arrived in front of Villa 14. The villa looked just the same as before. The third floor had completely collapsed, and cracks ran through the walls of the first and second floors, the whole thing ready to topple at any second. Natalie crouched to tighten her shoelaces. "This place isn't safe. You two wait here, I'll grab the supplies and come out." Cassian was not reassured. "I'll go with you." The dog barked too. Natalie shook her head. "You going in won't help. I just need to reach in, and everything goes straight into my space. If the house does collapse, I can blink out instantly. But if you're in there too, it'll only make things harder." And before Cassian could argue, she simply reached out, tapped him, and whisked him straight into the manor. Lucky was confused. "Ow?" Natalie glanced at her. "You too. Go have some water." Then she pulled the dog in as well. Satisfied with the empty fog-shrouded street, she stretched her ankles and wrists. Time to grab the supplies. Meanwhile, Cassian, who had suddenly appeared in the manor, was utterly confused. He was about to say, "Fine, you go alone." But this bossy woman really did not take no for an answer! Pressing his lips together, he could not help thinking, Does this mean she could toss me into the space anytime she isn't happy? That's a little concerning. But then he remembered that last night, she kept crying "no more," yet she never actually tossed him into the space. And that was after midnight, when her ability had already refreshed. Cassian's lips curved into a pleased smile. He strolled into the villa, leaned back on the sofa, and shut his eyes to rest. Such a contrary woman. The gas-mask-wearing dog hopped twice near the spring, then padded into the villa and barked at Cassian on the sofa. Cassian opened his eyes. "Hm?" "Ow ow ow!" I can't drink water with this mask on! Cassian did not get it. "What?" Lucky barked again and pawed at her own mask. Cassian finally caught on. "You want me to take that off for you?" The dog nodded like crazy. Not knowing anything about the spring's special properties, or that Lucky just wanted a drink, Cassian said ...