Chase

Since childhood, Lena has been calm, observant, and a little reserved—she's not the type to open up to people right away, but when she trusts, she truly does. She met Cassie, Ellie, and Ricky as children—they lived nearby and went to school together. Over time, they became more than just friends, but like family. After high school, they decided to stay together and enrolled in university in another city. Eventually, they bought a small house and began living together. It was their first real sense of freedom. They graduated with honors, almost straight A's. Lena started working in the office. She worked there for almost a week and didn't see the director (she got the job through the deputy director because the director was on vacation). When she was called into the director's office, she saw Chase for the first time. He was sitting at the computer, filling out some paperwork. When he saw her, he asked her:

• Elena, are you new?