After pledging my allegiance to Finn, I felt a surge of liberation. Instinctively, I reached up to shield my chest, heat creeping up my neck. My toes curled and rubbed against each other--a telltale sign of my embarrassment. It was like aswitch had flipped; Charm was gone, and I was in control of her body.

Finn cleared his throat. He covered half his face with the back of his hand, as if I were emitting some unpleasant odor. Gone was the unashamed way he'd ogled me before; now he looked away, deliberately avoiding my gaze.

"Get her a newdress," he barked at his men.

Well, that was an intriguing twist.  His demeanor had shifted completely. Was this the real Finn, free from the constraints of myscript? Did my characters have lives of their own, personalities that went beyond the roles I'd assigned them? It was a fascinating thought. Maybe Finn and I could actually be friends.

And speaking of roles, I reconsidered my earlier desire to switch characters. Honestly, Charm was my favorite creation. She was brave, resilient, beautiful, and ruthlessly efficient when it came to her enemies. I loved those qualities about her.  Since this was all a dream, why not embrace the experience fully and become her? That would be more thrilling, after all.

The three men in black suits scurried out of the room, leaving Finn and me alone. He shot me a sharp look, and my earlier impression of a change in demeanor vanished. He was back to his usual self, all disdain and arrogance. "Tell me your name," he said.

I met his gaze for a moment, then quickly looked away. His presence was both terrifying and strangely exhilarating, making my knees weak.  "Charm Smith."

"Once they give you the dress, change and leave my mansion. My guards will guide you out. And don't forget your promise. Don't dare break it. I'll be watching you."

With that, he turned his back and strode toward the enormous door. "Don't cross me, Charm. And don't even think about running." He glanced over his shoulder before slamming the door shut and adding, "Or else, I'll hunt you down and sell you for a pittance."

Sighing, I wandered around the room, my eyes drawn to the breathtaking collection of porcelain figurines. Time seemed to melt away, and before I knew it, the door swung open again. One of Finn's men stood there, two paper bags in his hand. "Change into these," he said, then disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived.

I slipped into the dress. It was exactly my style--high neck, long sleeves, and a flowing skirt that reached my ankles. It even had delicate ruffles along the collar and cuffs. I tucked the torn gown into the paper bag, planning to dispose of it later. The other bag held black shoes. How thoughtful... They fit my feet amazingly well, too.

Stepping out of the drawing room, I found two men waiting to guide me out of the mansion.

─•─

Night had fallen over the city, and an unsettling feeling crept over me. It felt like someone was following me. Finn had mentioned that he would be keeping an eye on me, so this wasn't a surprise. It was still unnerving though, knowing someone was watching my every move. I quickened my pace, my footsteps echoing on the cobblestones. It had been half an hour since I'd left Finn's mansion, and I was determined to explore the world I'd created.

The city, a product of my imagination, spread out before me. Its classical architecture, made of brick and stone, was captivating. Rows of houses, each with delicate carvings and balconies, lined the streets. Gas lamps cast a soft glow, painting the winding streets with dancing shadows.

I smiled, taking in the authenticity of it all. Women moved with graceful elegance in their flowing dresses. The men, in their impeccably tailored suits, exuded confidence. This was no mere nostalgic throwback, however. The society I'd created was a modern utopia, blending old-world charm with progressive ideals. It was a place where gender equality was not just a notion, but a reality.

But even as I marveled at its beauty, my senses remained on high alert. The feeling of being watched lingered, growing stronger with each step I took. Then, in a moment of distracted awe, I collided with something.

Stumbling backward, I blinked in surprise, coming face to face with a uniformed figure. It was a police officer. Caught off guard, I stammered an apology.

The officer's gaze softened as he saw my disoriented state. He offered a reassuring smile and a steadying hand. Grateful for the unexpected encounter, I managed to regain my composure. But as I looked closer, my jaw dropped. Blond hair, blue eyes... soft features, beautiful like Harry. There was no doubt--the officer I had bumped into was a character from my novel: Willieth Jones, the main character. I had designed their navy-blue uniforms with their surnames stitched on the right side of the chest.

Excitement and anxiety flooded through me as I looked at him. I had created him to have dissociative identity disorder. While he only had two distinct personas, the one before me now was his psychopathic alter ego. By day, he was a dedicated police officer, but when night fell, he'd transform into a remorseless killer.

"Are you all right, my lady?"

"Y-Yes! Of course," I stuttered, surprised by the fear I felt toward my own creation.

"You seem nervous," he remarked. "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head, attempting a smile. "No, I'm fine, sir. I just thought... someone was following me.  Could you check?"

He glanced past me and walked a bit further, scanning the area for any sign of lurking figures. Then he turned back, a small, almost genuine smile on his lips. "You must bemistaken, my lady. I haven't seen anyone--" And just like that, he vanished into thin air.

My eyes widened. "What just happened? He just disappeared, like magic!  Oh well..." I chuckled, realizing that in adream, the unexpected was expected. Anything could happen here. "Still, this is crazy!"

"It's not crazy.  That's actually normal," a voice came from behind me.

I turned, immediately recognizing the man. He was the one who had handed me the dress I was wearing.

"What do you mean, normal?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

He stepped closer. "What you just saw? That's pretty commonplace in this world. Whenever a character has a scene to play, they're automatically transported to the right time and place. That police officer, he must have had a scene to perform right then and there."

I was speechless. I couldn't even begin to process what he was saying.

He continued, "Only the extras, like me, or rather, like us, can see that kind of thing. The main characters, they never notice any of this behind-the-scenes stuff."

I cleared my throat. "So," I said, my brows furrowed, "you're saying... the extras, they know they're just characters in a novel?"

Laughing, he replied, "My lady, you must be out of your mind--" He disappeared, and my heart pounded. Something was going to happen.

I was pulled, my body moving without my consent. I must be being thrust into another scene, but Icouldn't remember writing this part...

◙◙◙

The alley was dimly lit, and I--or rather, the character I embodied, Charm--spoke in a commanding voice. "Show yourself and face me! I know you're out there."

The man I'd spoken to earlier emerged, a sneer twisting his lips. He attacked without warning, but I dodged his blows with ease.  Seizing my chance, I struck back, landing a solid hit to his midsection. He gasped, a mix of surprise and pain. He retaliated with ferocity, but I danced around his punches, Charm's fighting skills guiding my every move.  I outmaneuvered him, then locked him in a chokehold. He gasped for air, defeated. 

As soon as I released him, the man coughed and bowed his head in apology. He then cleared his throat and extended a hand toward me. "I'm Sebastian, my lady. I also want to apologize for the incident earlier in the mansion. I had no choice but to restrain you on the floor. Will you accept my apology?"

The scene seemed to have reached its conclusion. There was no way his character would apologize to me. Thinking about what he said earlier, he might be in the same situation as me--unable to control his body in a scene.

I smirked, crossing my arms and finally getting the gist of the mechanics of this world. "Only if you assure me that you won't report my every move to your boss."

His smile widened, revealing a dimple in his right cheek. "I won't unless it's essential for the scenario."

I took a moment to consider his words, then reached out and shook his hand, nodding in agreement. "It's a deal. But why did you attack me?"

"Sir Finn asked me to test your abilities."

"I'm sure I passed."

He grinned. "You did."

Now, as the adventure continued, I pushed my worries about Sebastian aside. I had a scene to get to--one that was etched in my memory, a scene I was eagerly anticipating. I had to reach the place where the crime was destined to occur.