The first scream came from Solstice. Lila dropped her phone, clutched her sweater over her nose, and staggered backward. Around her, influencers gagged, coughed, and stumbled across teak decks slick with panic. One man shouted, “What is that?” Bram yelled, “Authenticity!”
Elias lifted one hand in a friendly wave. “Morning, folks,” he called over the grinder. “Just preparing legal bait and cleaning a legal working dock. Thought you’d appreciate the full Briarhook experience.” Tess added, “Don’t forget to tag the smell.”