The Encounter
Ethan and Lily are seated at a small, intimate table inside a crowded, cozy bistro. Ethan holds a wand with a flourish, grinning confidently, while Lily watches with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. The soft glow of candlelight flickers on their faces, adding to the atmosphere of excitement.
Ethan always considered himself a connoisseur of the arcane, thanks to countless hours spent watching online tutorials.
The Vanishing Act
Lily suddenly disappears, leaving her chair empty. The surrounding patrons are visibly shocked; some have their mouths open and eyes wide in disbelief. Ethan stands up abruptly, his expression shifting from confidence to panic as he attempts to locate Lily. The bistro is bathed in the same warm lighting, but the tension is palpable.
In a heartbeat, Lily vanished.
The Reality Sets In
The bistro is now empty, save for Ethan and an annoyed manager. Ethan sits at the table, looking defeated with his wand lying uselessly beside him. The manager is behind the counter, glaring at Ethan with crossed arms. Dim lighting accentuates the emptiness of the place and Ethan's sense of failure.
Hours later, he was the last patron in the empty bistro, the manager glaring daggers.
The Text Message
Ethan's phone lights up, grabbing his attention. The screen shows a text message from Lily with an attached selfie of her lounging on a tropical beach. Ethan's face lights up with a mix of relief and bewilderment as he stares at the screen. The phone glows softly, illuminating Ethan's features in the dim surroundings.
'Nice try, Houdini. Looking for me?'