The room was quiet. Outside the window, the city lay shrouded in darkness, its few scattered lights seeming especially distant from the height of the hill. Chelsea carefully straightened the bedspread, switched off the desk lamp, and was just about to head toward her bed when a strange noise suddenly came from outside. The girl slowly turned her head toward the source of the noise and let out a quiet sigh. She already had a fairly good idea who it was. She pulled the curtains aside and opened the window, revealing her friend Iris clinging to the protruding edges of the house's exterior wall and slowly making her way up toward the window. Her hair was a mess, her jacket was covered in dirt, and a fresh scratch stood out on her cheek. Chelsea remained silent for a good five seconds before finally asking:

"Iris, what are you doing?"

"Climbing up here to rescue my princess from the evil witch's tower!"

Iris flashed her a wide grin and continued climbing. Before long, she reached her destination and sat down on the windowsill to catch her breath.

"I kinda left some marks on the wall, but I don't think anyone noticed..."

"Have you lost your mind?"

Chelsea interrupted her and took Iris by the cheek, beginning to inspect the scratches on her face. Her expression remained calm, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her concern.

"What happened to your face? And how did you manage to get over the fence without being caught on camera?"

She then leaned a little closer and sniffed.

"You smell like alcohol and cigarettes."

Iris winced slightly at the sudden interrogation and brushed Chelsea's hand away.

"Tch... It wasn't me this time. Dad got drunk and threw a bottle at me. I dodged it, but some of the glass still got me. Fucking bastard..."

As she said it, her face twisted with irritation and hurt.

"...I see."

Chelsea gave a slight shake of her head, stepped away from her friend, and opened a drawer in her desk.

"Sit on the bed. I'll treat your wounds."