Returning home, Claire’s mind swirled with the weight of recent events, consumed by the intriguing offer Hollie had presented.

She found herself repeatedly examining the cards Hollie had given her, her mind clouded with doubts. While they appeared authentic, a nagging suspicion lingered—what if this was all an elaborate prank or some sort of reality show stunt? The thought of being unwittingly thrust into the spotlight on television was not something she entertained, and she had no intention of becoming a pawn in someone else’s game.

Claire attempted to uncover information about the Enigma Agency and any potential government connections, but her efforts met with limited success. The FBI office she contacted was legitimate, and the agent she spoke to confirmed that the Agency was real but would not provide further information. Given the Agency’s reputation for discretion, obtaining concrete details proved challenging, and all her contacts in the spiritual community were long gone.

Nevertheless, she saw no compelling reason to withhold this opportunity from Chris and the boys, even if she left out the stranger details. At worst, it could be a setup for a television show, in which case she’d simply tell them to stick it and return home. If it was real, then what? She had done some reading, but she hadn’t touched anything occult-related aside from her cards in two decades.

Over the following week, Claire mulled over the situation with Chris and the boys. The prospect of extra income was enticing, and the opportunity seemed promising despite the need for travel. With the boys growing older and more independent, they didn’t rely on her as much anymore. While Chris might have initially harbored some jealousy, he ultimately proved to be supportive.

Claire scheduled the interview, agreeing to stay at the facility for a week for training and evaluation. Despite her lingering doubts, the prospect of extra income and new opportunities was too enticing to pass up.