The Endless Balance of an Ancient Sorrow Volume 2 GC INTERLUDE and Chapter 2 The Liason,the Library, and the Last Walk Home

 Copyright © 2025 by Ryan Melrose 

 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the author. 

This is a work of fiction. 

 All names, characters, places, organizations, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, real-world locations, corporations, or institutions is entirely coincidental. If you genuinely believe any character in this book is secretly based on you, you might be reading a bit too deep—or just hunting for a payout. Either way, this story isn’t about you. Maybe talk to someone about that. 

This is the first publication, written and illustrated by Ryan Melrose, and published in Australia. 

The Endless Balance of an Ancient Sorrow Gavern Codex (GC) Volume 2 

INTERLUDE 1 

The abandoned house creaked in the wind, half-swallowed by the slums at the edge of Fraid City. Rusted sheets hung in the windows like forgotten curtains. Inside, dust and mold warred for dominance. 

Jilough checked his phone again. 

A new message blinked on screen, same number, same disturbing tone: 

Hey there, Jilough~
Got me another one lined up yet?
Ooh I’m itching to feel the crunch.
Can’t wait to squash another one—tee hee… 😘 

He smirked and tapped out a reply. 

Don’t worry. Got a real cute one picked out.
But I want that extra thousand. Pay up. 

Behind him, Kamis shifted uncomfortably on a broken couch, arms crossed tight. 

“You’re not seriously gonna do it again,” Kamis said, voice raw. “Not another high school kid.” 

Jilough turned slowly. 

“No, of course not,” he said flatly.
“We’re going to kidnap another high school kid.” 

Kamis stood. “Jilough—who is this client? Don’t lie to me this time. You two… you text like besties. Who is she?” 

“You’re better off not knowing,” Jilough said, EYEs narrowing. “Now. You helping me, or do I keep all six grand for myself?” 

“I can’t,” Kamis muttered. “I’m desperate, but not that desperate. I’m not chaining up another kid—not after what that train did.” His voice dropped. “We heard it, Jilough. That scream. You know what she’s doing to them.” 

“You’re in this as deep as I am,” Jilough snapped. “Even if you sit out, you’re still guilty. So either help and get paid…” 

He picked up a pistol and aimed it lazily at Kamis. 

“...or I shoot you here and find someone who will.” 

“You’re bluffing,” Kamis whispered. “I’m your only friend.” 

Jilough smiled darkly. “Oh really? Want me to yell down the block that I’m offering five grand for a quick job? You think I can’t find another coward with empty pockets?” 

Kamis froze. 

He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. 

Then—slowly—he nodded. 

“Fine,” he said hoarsely. “You win. Where are we going?” 

Jilough’s grin widened. “Fraid Café. This morning. Cute boy, perfect face. Followed him and some blue-haired girl in uniform to Elliot Bran High.” 

He tossed a ski mask across the room. 

“She’s gonna love this one. Said we get an extra thousand just for his looks. Bet that train’s already purring at the tracks, Kamis. Music to her ears.” 

They stepped into the street, boots crunching glass, silhouettes fading into fog like predators in motion. 

Like sharks. 

And somewhere across town… 

Urlich Hale had no idea the clock on his life had just started ticking. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 2 

The Liaison, the Library, and the Last Walk Home 

 

Millana Kalako, Carol Hanaman, Tellai Hughes, and the Whitacus twins—Leo and Theo—were right where they left off: neck-deep in chaos and halfway to a mental breakdown inside the Fraid City Library. 

“Look, Theo, I’m telling you,” Leo insisted, EYEs wide, hands animated. “The vigilante has to be an alien vampire. Have you seen that collared cape? Straight out of a Dracula movie.” 

Theo scoffed. “That’s just dumb. He’s obviously a government robot. Built to keep the masses distracted with capes and theatrics so we don’t see what they’re really doing behind the curtains.” 

The two went back and forth like malfunctioning radio towers on different frequencies. 

Millana and Carol exchanged identical expressions—somewhere between Are they serious? and Can we delete these two? 

Meanwhile, Tellai was loving every second. Leaning back in her seat, sipping her third energy drink of the day, she grinned. 

“You know what, boys?” she said with mock thoughtfulness. “You’re probably both right. He’s an alien vampire robot. Government-issued.” 

“Not helping, Tellai!” Carol and Millana barked in perfect sync. 

Theo suddenly gasped. “That’s it! The disappearances! It’s all connected!” 

Leo nodded solemnly. “They send Sorrow out as a distraction—while the government kidnaps teenage boys for secret experiments!” 

Then, realization dawned across both their faces. 

“Oh my god, Leo… we’re teenage boys.” 

“Oh god, Theo—we’re next!” 

They grabbed each other dramatically. “Don’t kidnap us, Mr. Sorrow Robot Sir!” 

WHACK! 

Both twins got a well-earned smack on the head—courtesy of Millana and Carol. In perfect cartoon fashion, two oversized lumps immediately sprang up. 

“Would you two please take this seriously?” Millana groaned. 

Carol folded her arms. “Seriously, Millana? These are the guys helping you investigate a city-wide paranormal crime wave?” 

“Unfortunately, yes,” Millana muttered. “This is who we’ve got.” 

“Hey,” Tellai said, straightening in her chair. “Don’t be mean to the twins.” 

Carol turned on her. “I don’t even know why you’re here, Tellai. All you do is sit there and laugh like this is some big joke.” 

Tellai blinked. “It’s not a joke. I’m actually very interested in all of this, thank you. Which is why I think the twins might be onto something.” 

“The missing teens?” Millana asked, her tone shifting. 

The laughter faded. Everyone quieted just a little. 

Millana pulled out her notes. “Ten teenage boys have gone missing over the last ten days. That was in this morning’s news report. None of them have been found.” 

She hesitated, then added, “I was thinking about it on my way here. If we can figure out what’s behind these disappearances... maybe Sorrow will show up to stop it—like he did when Silus attacked our school.” 

The others exchanged glances. Even the twins dropped the antics for a beat. 

Because beneath all the caffeine and conspiracy theories… 

Something real was starting to take shape. 

“Wait—you’re not seriously thinking of getting us involved in this, are you?” Leo stammered, flicker of fear flashing across his face. “Millana, we just write the school news! We’re not… whatever this is.” 

“Yeah!” Theo added. “You’re incredible under pressure, Millana, but we’re the kind of people who get concussions during PE.” 

“Count me in, Milly!” Tellai shot up from her chair with Olympic-level enthusiasm. 

The entire library turned. 

Dozens of students and a very annoyed librarian glared at her from every direction. 

A sharp “Shhhhhh!” echoed like a gunshot. 

Tellai cringed and slinked back into her seat, whispering, “Sorry…” 

Then, louder, “Seriously? I get shushed while these two morons yell about alien robot vampires?” 

Carol flipped her hair. “I’m in,” she declared proudly. “And this time, Sorrow will bow before my all-powerful bosom. No man resists me.” 

The twins looked like they were about to faint. She turned her gaze toward them, all seduction and mischief. 

“How about it, boys? You’re not expecting us to march into danger alone, are you?” 

She struck another one of her dramatic, cleavage-forward poses. 

Instantly, the Whitacus twins were drooling messes. 

“At your service, Carol!” they declared in unison. “We’ll brave the trenches!” 

“Where shall we begin?” Theo added, hearts in his EYEs. 

Carol pulled out a folded street map, smoothing it across the center table like a general preparing for war. 

“We should start by searching areas where teenage boys could be lingering—quiet zones, low surveillance, easy to slip away from. Here, here… and definitely here.” 

She pointed to several marked locations with the tip of her pen. 

“Hang on, wait a second,” Tellai said, squinting at the map. “How do you know these places are off-camera?” 

Carol blinked. Blushed. “Well... it’s the kind of place boys and girls go to, y’know… do things without being watched.” 

Leo coughed. Theo turned visibly red. 

“If I were running away from home,” Carol added with a shrug, “that’s where I’d hide.” 

“She’s right,” Millana said, EYEs narrowing. “There are abandoned houses and derelict buildings in those zones. Perfect places for someone to trap their victims.” 

“We should split into groups,” Tellai suggested. “Cover more ground.” 

“Exactly!” Theo said quickly. “Leo and I will take the arcade! And the gaming store! And maybe that comic shop near—” 

“Oh no you won’t,” the girls snapped together, jabbing at a different spot on the map. 

“You two are checking this area,” Millana said, pointing to a quiet corner near the industrial zone. 

“…This is just a drainage tunnel behind a supermarket,” Leo muttered. 

“With raccoons,” Theo added miserably. 

“Consider it character-building,” Carol said, fluttering her lashes. 

“OH MAN!” the twins groaned. 

“Tellai and Millana can take my car I’ll drive,” Carol said. “We’ll sweep the South Narrows and the edge of the slum district..” 

“And we can meet up with the boys,” Tellai said, giving the twins a little grin, “at this section here—the alley leading under Haymans Bridge surely you boys can pedal there fast enough.” 

Leo and Theo froze. 

“That place is haunted,” Theo whispered. 

“Like, confirmed haunted,” Leo nodded. “There’s a guy online who saw a shadow scream down there—twice.” 

Carol struck one last pose, EYEs glowing with challenge. 

“Do it for me, boys.” 

Suddenly, their courage reloaded. 

“We’re on it!” they declared, voices cracking in sync. 

Maps were folded. Plans were drawn. The group split up—scattering into the city like sparks before a storm. 

 

 

2 

Detective Arthur Sinclaire was driving like a man running out of patience—which, to be fair, he absolutely was. 

Maybe it was because FATE had swooped in and commandeered the entire department. 

 Maybe it was because he was burning fuel chasing Frank Gavern's latest hunch with no solid leads. 

 Or maybe—just maybe—it was because Silus Mikana was in his backseat, tossing complaints like candy at a parade. 

“How many sewer tunnels are you planning to drag us to?” Silus snapped. “This is the fourth one today. You do realize this city is full of tunnels right?” 

Frank, calm as ever in the passenger seat, replied without looking away from his notes. “Until I’m satisfied the missing teenagers aren’t in them.” 

Arthur grunted. “Trust me, kid. It’s easier to let Frank do his thing. He hasn’t been wrong yet.” 

That’s when he blew right through a red light. 

A flash of crimson and a screaming honk yanked the wheel from his hand as a bright red 2011 Volkswagen Cabrio convertible swerved around them, tires screeching. 

The driver—a girl with chestnut hair in a perfect updo—leaned out the window. “Nice driving, asshole!” 

Arthur slammed the brake and shouted back, “Driving that fast? You’re lucky I don’t pull you over, you moron!” 

Frank blinked, catching only a glimpse—but it was enough. 

“That was Carol Hanaman,” he muttered. “And Millana Kalako in the passenger seat.” 

Arthur frowned. “What the hell are they doing in such a hurry?” 

Silus stared after the disappearing car with a strange, hollow expression. “That girl from the school,” he said. “The one that got away…” 

Frank didn't turn. “We’ve got more important things to focus on. Next sewer entrance’s a block down.” 

Silus groaned. “This is such a waste of my time.” 

Arthur pulled them forward with a sigh. “Yeah, well, welcome to detective work, sunshine.” 

They rolled toward a gated maintenance tunnel behind an old tram depot. The shadows grew deeper the closer they got. 

Frank stared out the windshield, his thoughts buzzing louder than the engine. 

He could feel it. The boys were in the tunnels—somewhere. 

 And if he got close enough, his ancient power as the endless balance also known as Sorrow, would let him sense the evil behind it all. 

 But nothing had pinged yet. 

Which meant… 

He was still too far. 

And time was evaporating. 

It was 10:04 a.m. 

 He figured they had five hours—six at most—before another teenage boy went missing. 

3 

Leo and Theo Whitacus arrived at their assigned location with exactly as much enthusiasm as you’d expect from two teenage conspiracy theorists who just got sent behind a supermarket. 

They stood awkwardly at the edge of a concrete drainage tunnel, half-hidden behind the loading zone and flanked by overgrown weeds. 

“They don’t seriously expect us to search this, do they?” Leo asked, staring at the black hole like it owed him an apology. 

“I’m afraid so,” Theo muttered. “This is the spot Carol marked...” 

“Can’t we just say we didn’t find anyone? I mean, we run a school newspaper! We do... like, research. Over the internet. We are not detectives. We’re not authorized!” 

Leo turned slowly, grabbed Theo by the collar, and gave him a firm (if slightly dramatic) shake. 

“Snap out of it. Don’t forget what’s really at stake here.” 

Theo’s EYEs widened—then lit up like Christmas. 

As if summoned from memory, Carol’s earlier pose flashed in their minds. That divine stance, that power, those unholy curves—the sacred Bosom, demanding mortal worship. 

The boys drooled in unison. 

“You’re right, Leo,” Theo breathed reverently. “It’s completely worth it. For those... pillows of perfection.” 

“Exactly! This is our destiny! We’ll be her best guys. The Keepers of the Holy Bosom!” 

They threw up their arms like knights at a coronation. 

“HOLY BOSOM!!” they shouted like a battle cry. 

And with zero hesitation or remaining dignity, they dove into the tunnel. 

“Hello?” Leo called, voice echoing. 

“Anybody in there?” Theo followed up. 

Silence. 

Only the hollow drip of water in darkness. 

For the first time in ten minutes... the twins stopped smiling. 

The Whitacus twins crept deeper into the tunnel, flashlight trembling in Theo’s grip as the slushy water sloshed around their sneakers. 

“I really don’t like this,” Theo whispered. “Not one bit.” 

“Neither do I,” Leo muttered. “Just focus. Think of the Holy Bosom. Think of why we’re doing this.” 

That seemed to steel them—at least a little. 

Then came the sound. 

A long, metallic scrape echoed down the pipe—too distant to place, too sharp to ignore. 

“What was that?” Theo hissed. 

“I don’t know!” Leo said, shaking the faltering flashlight. 

Then—CLANG. 

A loud bang, like something jumping onto rusted metal, exploded through the tunnel, followed by a flash of green glowing EYEs. 

“AAAAAAAAHHH!!” both boys screamed in perfect harmony. 

“This isn’t worth it!!” Theo shrieked. “Forget the Holy Bosom!” 

They bolted, water splashing wildly as they scrambled back toward daylight. 

Still gasping, they shot out of the tunnel— 

—only to nearly crash into three figures waiting just outside. 

“Would you mind not screaming directly in our faces?” Silus said, voice flat and thoroughly unimpressed. 

Frank and Arthur looked between the panting twins and the tunnel. “What were you two doing in there?” 

“Monster!” Theo blurted. 

“Yeah—glowing EYEs, metal clanging—it was gonna eat us!” Leo added. 

Everyone instinctively stepped back... 

Except Silus, whose EYEs lit up with anticipation. 

“Finally,” he muttered. “Something worth killing.” 

But then… 

The “monster” leapt from the tunnel with a soft thud. 

It was a black kitten. Tiny, drenched, and very much alive. Its green EYEs glowed with reflected light as it stared up at the group—then gave a dainty, chirpy meow. 

Everyone stared. 

“Are you kidding me…” Arthur said. 

Frank tilted his head. “It’s just a kitten.” 

Silus sighed. “Tch. False alarm.” 

Arthur turned just in time to shout, “Hey! You two! Get back here—!” 

But it was too late. 

The twins were already pedaling down the street on their push bikes like their lives depended on it—faces pale, shoes soaked, and completely unaware they’d just been scared off by a house pet. 

 

4 

Millana, Carol, and Tellai had spent the last hour combing through the slum districts of Fraid City—abandoned buildings, alleyways, and every unsupervised corner they could find. 

They weren’t having much luck. 

People stared. Girls like them didn’t come to this part of the city. Not without a reason. And worse, they didn’t even know who they were supposed to be looking for. The media hadn’t released the names or descriptions of the missing boys. Just vague warnings and rising panic. 

Still, Millana wasn’t giving up. 

They pressed on, checking every shadowed lot and boarded-up house. Tellai, still buzzing with energy, danced across the street with her earbuds in—probably listening to some training montage soundtrack in her head. 

She didn’t see the white van coming. 

When she finally noticed it, she froze—an ancient instinct, the kind that never evolved past deer-in-headlights. 

Carol yanked her back just in time. 

“Tellai, you have to be more careful!” she snapped. 

“You didn’t even slow down, you jerks!” Tellai shouted after the van, grabbing a loose stone and hurling it. It clanged off the back door with a loud thunk. 

Inside the van, Jilough slammed the brakes. 

He reached for his pistol. 

“Are you insane?!” Kamis hissed. “Ignore her! Look at how she’s dressed—she’s from the inner city. Not worth it.” 

Jilough’s fingers twitched, then relaxed. 

“You’re right,” he muttered. “Forget that idiot. We’ve got a $6,000 payday to earn.” 

The van rolled on. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millana watched it go, her EYEs narrowing. Something about it felt... wrong. She couldn’t explain it. Couldn’t prove it. But deep in her gut, something twisted. 

She shook it off. 

They kept searching—more abandoned houses, more dead ends. Still nothing. Not a single trace. 

“We’ve searched everywhere around here,” Tellai said, frustration creeping into her voice. 

“Yeah,” Millana agreed. “Maybe it’s time to meet up with Leo and Theo at Haymans Bridge. Hopefully they’re having better luck than we are.” 

 

5 

It was 1:00 p.m., and the graduating class of Elliot Bran High School was being set loose into the world. 

Some stayed behind to chat, laugh, take pictures, and hover near the refreshments—clinging to the last bittersweet crumbs of childhood. 

But Urlich Hale? 

He couldn't get out of there fast enough. 

While his classmates posed for photos and signed yearbooks, Urlich slipped through the side gate and disappeared down the street like a ghost. For him, graduation wasn’t a moment to celebrate—it was an ending he hadn’t quite prepared for. 

He and Haliette Rava—his best friend, his tether—had been inseparable. The girl with the electric blue hair and the fire in her stride. They had done everything together: homework, skipping lunch, arguing over terrible sci-fi shows, even planning to attend the same college. 

But that changed. 

At the last minute, Haliette decided to stay behind—to care for her sick mother. And Urlich, who had already signed the dotted line to leave town... didn’t fight it. Didn’t tell her how he felt. He told himself it wasn’t fair to complicate things when she was already going through enough. 

Better to say nothing. 

 Better to fade out. 

 Better to leave than be left behind. 

As he passed the front gates, he paused for a moment, reached down, and peeled off the school uniform he wore over his regular clothes. He dropped it on the sidewalk—creased blazer, cheap tie, school crest and all. 

Then he pulled out a matchbox from his Backpack took a single match along with a bottle of Metho. 

With a flick and a hiss, he lit the flame and tossed it onto the pile of the Metho drenched school attire. 

The fabric caught quickly. The edges curled. The smell of polyester, cheap starch and Metho filled the air as his uniform—and his history—burned in a bright little funeral pyre. 

He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t sad. 

Not exactly. 

He just felt... done. 

He had the diploma. Sure. But it always felt like they’d given it to him to get him out of the building. 

Now he was out. Free. Floating. 

Maybe this was adulthood. 

Maybe this was it. 

He walked on. 

A few minutes later, the quiet of the street was broken by the sudden roar of a car. 

A white Hyundai swerved unnervingly close to the sidewalk, enough to make Urlich Hale nearly leap out of his skin. 

“Halie, are you crazy?!” he shouted, stumbling back. “You trying to hit me?!” 

The car slowed to a crawl beside him, and Haliette Rava grinned behind the wheel. 

“Well, can you blame a girl for trying?” she said playfully. “You just left me there. Didn’t even say goodbye.” 

Urlich rolled his EYEs, but the smile on his face betrayed his heart. “Ah. Well, in that case… fair enough.” 

They both laughed—an easy, familiar sound. 

Haliette matched his pace, driving beside him as he walked. “C’mon, get in already. Let’s hit the arcade. Cake café. My treat. I’ll even drive you home.” 

Urlich shook his head, hands in his brown short's pockets. His green Tshirt flapping in the wind 

“Thanks... but not today. This is the last time I’ll ever walk this route. It’s mine—for just a few more steps.” 

He looked up, EYEs somewhere far ahead. 

“Let’s go tomorrow. Celebrate the first day of the rest of our lives. Amusement park, arcade, cake café—the works. Maybe Millana will come. We’ll go all out.” 

Haliette considered that, then smiled. “Alright. Tomorrow it is.” 

She paused. “You sure you don’t want a ride home? I don’t mind, y’know.” 

“I’m good, Halie. It’s not a long walk.” 

She nodded slowly, reluctantly. 

“Okay then… meet me at the amusement park. Nine a.m. sharp. You better show up, Urlich Hale—I'll chase you to the ends of the Earth if you don't.” 

He turned toward her one last time. 

“I promise I’ll be there, Haliette. No matter what.” 

She smiled. 

Then drove away. 

 

6 

As Haliette Rava drove away, her smile slowly faded. 

She watched him shrink in the rearview mirror, the boy who meant more to her than he’d ever realized. Gone was the playful grin, the sarcasm she always fired back at. Now it was just her, the road, and the nagging ache behind her ribs. 

She wanted to turn the car around. 

 Grab him. 

 Drag him to the arcade. 

 Split cake. 

 Say everything she’d left unsaid for years. 

But she respected his space. She could tell—he needed this moment. To walk. To breathe. To exit the way he chose. 

So she didn’t chase him. Not yet. 

“Tomorrow,” she whispered to herself. “Tell him tomorrow. Promise him tomorrow.” 

She gripped the wheel tighter. 

She knew he was going away. But distance didn’t scare her. She’d make it work. She was determined to make it work. 

As he vanished from her mirrors, swallowed by the bend in the road, Haliette kept repeating it under her breath—like a spell, like a prayer: 

“You better show up tomorrow. Please show up...” 

He was completely out of sight. 

 

7 

Jilough and Kamis cruised slowly through the streets near Elliot Bran High, EYEs scanning every student in uniform. 

“Why are there kids out already?” Kamis muttered. 

They passed a banner strung across the school gates: 

 “Happy Graduation, Class of 2025!” 

“Shit,” Jilough cursed. “He could’ve already left. His uniform had a senior badge. This was graduation day. Dammit.” 

Kamis sighed. “Guess we missed our shot. Can’t chain anyone to the tracks this time.” 

“Oh, we’re not giving up,” Jilough growled. “If we don’t find him, she’ll mow us down instead. Trust me—she won’t even blink. It’s this kid or us.” 

They kept circling, EYEs sharp. 

Urlich Hale hadn’t gone home like he told Haliette. He was still walking—processing, thinking, trying to stretch the last few hours of freedom before the world changed. 

Then the van turned the corner. 

“Hang on,” Jilough said, leaning forward. “That might be him.” 

They slowed, drove past, and got a good look. 

“That’s him,” Jilough confirmed. “Get the tranq ready.” 

Kamis hesitated. “You sure this’ll work?” 

“It’s acepromazine,” Jilough said. “Used for dogs, but it knocks out people too—especially in high doses. Just jab and hold.” 

They pulled over. 

 

Jilough, the bigger of the two, leapt from the van and grabbed Urlich from behind, locking his arms. Urlich struggled, confused, shouting—but Kamis was already there, plunging the syringe into his side. 

Urlich’s resistance faltered fast. His legs buckled. His voice slurred. 

Within seconds, he was unconscious. 

They dragged him into the van, slammed the doors, and peeled off into the city’s veins—vanishing like smoke. 

No witnesses. 

 No screams. 

 Just the echo of tires and the silence that followed.