I hummed softly to myself as I moved around the kitchen, the soft rhythm of the melody matching the movements of my hands. Cooking had always been a soothing activity for me, a way to channel my thoughts and emotions into something tangible. Today, though, it was more than just cooking. It was a ritual, a carefully orchestrated plan.
I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before reaching into my pocket and pulling out a small vial. It glowed faintly, the liquid inside swirling with a strange, iridescent light. This was no ordinary ingredient; it was a special blend I had been working on for weeks, designed to do exactly what I needed it to. I uncorked the vial and poured a few drops into the stew simmering on the stove, watching as it blended seamlessly with the other ingredien
