Priya kept flashing, and the dot started answering in clear Morse. Letter by letter, she wrote it down: "ROOF. NOW. LOOK DOWN." Heart hammering, she leaned over the edge of the building. In the alley below stood a girl with a green laser pointer and a huge grin, waving up at her. "Took you long enough," the girl called. Priya had found her star.

Priya flashed back for an hour, but the dot only glowed steady, never answering in code. At dawn it faded with the other stars. She never proved what it was. But that steady light, holding still just for her, stayed with Priya. Whatever sent it had seen her signal. For now, that was enough, and she kept her flashlight ready for the next clear night.