Alex arrives at the Dev Null Cafe as phones chirp and buzz across the room. Every screen carries the same missing-kid alert, with the cafe marked as a destination.
Behind the service area, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, a charcoal cardigan, and a canvas satchel keeps a frightened child low behind stacked supply crates. Beside them, a famous young adult man in a dark cap and expensive black coat watches both exits.
Dr. Helen Ward
The child is the secret child who must be acknowledged. I will not say whose child, and I will not explain why the alert names someone else.
Adrian Cole
People are already looking toward this place. If that door opens, we need to know who comes through it.
Customers whisper over their screens. A delivery cyclist pauses outside, glancing at the cafe windows before moving on, while the service door remains half-latched.
Samuel
They said someone was coming for me.
The therapist notices Alex near the entrance and goes still. The famous client shifts closer to the booth, leaving the concealed child’s immediate safety balanced on whatever happens next.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the child from being exposed
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn who issued the misleading alert
“"Look, get the kid to the back. I am going on shift soon. You'll be safe there. We got cameras everywhere here. And if things go south? You'll hear me ring a buzzer. There's an old speakeasy room, just under the rubber mats in front of the coffeemakers. Understood?"”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Alex Mishyma
Look, get the kid to the back. I’m going on shift soon. You’ll be safe there. We’ve got cameras everywhere, and if things go south, you’ll hear me ring a buzzer.
Alex Mishyma
There’s an old speakeasy room under the rubber mats in front of the coffeemakers. Understood?
The therapist studies Alex for one taut second, then slips an arm around the child and guides them through the service door. The famous client follows, shielding their movement from the room.
Dr. Helen Ward
Understood. Back room, cameras, buzzer. We’ll stay out of sight.
Samuel
Will you ring it if they come?
Adrian Cole
He gave us a safe route. Take it, and keep your voice down.
The service door closes softly. Behind the counter, the old rubber mats and coffeemakers conceal the speakeasy entrance exactly as described, while phones continue chiming with the alert.
Quest Complete
Keep the child from being exposed