It was midnight, and the stars gleamed brightly over the remote streets of Orchid City. The usually lively area was eerily quiet, with only a few flickering streetlights casting an erratic rhythm on the pavement, syncing with the muffled beats of music spilling from a nearby dance bar.

  Inside, the pub pulsed with life. Boney M’s iconic Rasputin, remixed into a thumping DJ variant, blasted through the speakers. The dance floor was a storm of movement—youngsters losing themselves in the beat, their bodies swaying in reckless abandon. Behind the console, the DJ bobbed his head, fingers flying over the controls, riding the high of the crowd’s energy.

  But amid the chaos, Xavier sat alone in a dimly lit corner, untouched by the electric atmosphere. His friends, Samuel Justin and Tina Rodriguez, had tried coaxing him onto the dance floor, but he had only responded with a slow shake of his head. He wasn’t here for the music, nor the excitement. While the world around him burned with energy, he remained an island of stillness.

  Samuel Justin stood out—not just for his height or his confident posture, but for the effortless style that made heads turn. A Philadelphia native, he carried himself with a charisma that commanded attention. His neatly styled curly hair and clean-shaven face sharpened his striking features. Hexagonal sunglasses perched on his nose, giving him an air of playful mystery. His white T-shirt, emblazoned with a bold, colorful peace symbol, peeked from beneath a rugged denim jacket. Dark red jeans and brown Chelsea boots completed his look, a small silver chain around his neck catching the strobe lights like a subtle accessory to the music itself. Justin wasn’t just in the crowd—he was part of the show.

  Despite the pulsating atmosphere, Xavier remained unmoved. To him, the dazzling lights and pounding bass were just distractions—noise to a mind weighed down by something heavier.

  Tina, Samuel’s girlfriend, had a different kind of presence—one that was impossible to ignore. Standing at five-foot-four, she carried herself with a confidence that could turn heads without trying. The daughter of a disciplined former U.S. Marine and a vibrant Mexican mother, she embodied both strength and warmth. A streak of pink ran through her dark hair, adding a rebellious touch, while her fitted jeans and cropped tee—boldly printed with I AM CONFIDENT—only reinforced what her presence already declared.

  Yet, beneath her outward boldness, there was an unspoken depth to her connection with Xavier. Their bond carried shadows of a past neither of them spoke about, an understanding woven through shared, unspoken history.

  The pub roared on, but in the dimly lit corner, Xavier sat rigid, his mind elsewhere.

  Samuel finally approached, his easygoing tone laced with concern. “Hey, man,” he said, pulling up a chair beside him. “We’re here for you, alright? You’re not eating properly, not sleeping much… and dude, you’re the only one in here wearing formals. What’s going on? Whatever it is, you don’t have to deal with it alone.”

  Xavier exhaled, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass. “Thank you, Sam, but you can’t help me,” he said, voice low, almost uncertain. “I’m thinking about going back to India.”

  Samuel’s brows furrowed. “Bro, we still have a year left to finish our studies. Why are you thinking like this? Is this about… you know, the thing between me and Tina?”

  Xavier shook his head firmly. “No, of course not. I’m happy for both of you. This isn’t about that.” He hesitated, his voice growing quieter. “I’ve just got this bad feeling lately.”

  Tina, who had been listening from nearby, stepped closer. Her sharp gaze softened slightly as she studied him. “Bad feeling about what?”

  Xavier looked away, as if the answer lay somewhere in the swirling shadows of the room. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I feel like… something worse is coming my way.”

  Tina sighed, lowering herself onto the chair across from him. “I get it,” she said, her voice gentler now. “Sometimes, our minds play tricks on us. If you’re feeling off, let’s talk about it. Maybe it’s not as bad as you think.”

  Xavier pressed his palms together, resting his chin against them. “I wish I could explain it, but I can’t. It’s like a knot in my chest, and I don’t even know why.”

  For a moment, silence stretched between them, the music fading into the background as if the world outside no longer existed. Then, Xavier let out a slow breath and stood up—not abruptly, but as if coming to terms with something.

  “I think I need some air,” he murmured. “I just… need to clear my head.”

  Sam chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension. “Bro, this is a pub. If you’re looking for weird vibes, you came to the right place.”

  Xavier managed a half-smile but didn’t reply. Instead, he gave them a nod and turned toward the exit.

  Samuel and Tina exchanged a glance, their concern unspoken but mutual.

  Neither of them was about to let him go alone.

  Without hesitation, they followed him out into the night.

  As they passed the bouncers at the entrance, the men exchanged curious glances, surprised to see the group leaving so early. But Sam and Tina didn’t care about appearances—they were focused only on their friend, walking ahead, lost in his own thoughts.

  Some of the streetlights outside the pub still flickered, syncing with the faint beats of music spilling into the quiet night.

  Xavier inhaled deeply as the cool air hit him, but it did little to shake the unease that had been clinging to him all night. If anything, the feeling grew stronger. He glanced over his shoulder, his brows slightly furrowed. Nothing. Just empty streets and the distant glow of neon signs.

  "Xavier, stop! We’re coming with you," Sam called out from behind. He draped an arm lazily around Tina’s shoulders, his steps uneven, as if he’d had a bit too much to drink.

  Xavier halted in his tracks and turned around, watching his friends approach him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes carried the weight of something unspoken.

  "Bro, what’s going on? I thought you’d enjoy the party—that’s why I brought you," Sam said, his tone laced with concern but still trying to keep things light.

  "We’re not leaving you alone, Xavier," Tina added firmly, stepping up beside Sam.

  "Yeah, man, we’re sticking with you," Sam agreed, breaking into a teasing grin. "And you’re going to pay for next week’s party for all of us."

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  Sam chuckled at his own joke, but the attempt at humor fell flat. Tina didn’t laugh, and Xavier only stood there in silence for a moment before suddenly pulling Sam into a hug.

  "Thank you, my friend," Xavier said softly, stepping back. "But I think you should leave me here."

  Sam frowned, confused. "Aren’t you coming?" he asked, holding Tina closer to him.

  Xavier hesitated, then looked around the dimly lit street. "I have this strong feeling… like someone’s watching us. That’s why I left the pub."

  Tina glanced at him, her expression unreadable. He had said something similar inside. A bad feeling. Now he was certain someone was watching them?

  Sam let out an exaggerated laugh, throwing his head back. "I know exactly who it is!" he said, still laughing. "It’s the girl in the red bikini from the club. Dude, I think she’s got a crush on you!"

  "Sam, this isn’t a joke," Xavier said sharply, his voice low but serious. "I can still feel it. Something’s not right."

  Sam, still trying to brush it off, turned dramatically to the empty street and cupped his hands around his mouth. "Hey, bikini girl! Are you following my friend here?" he shouted.

  The street remained silent, the only sound coming from the faint hum of distant traffic. The flickering streetlights cast strange, shifting shadows across the pavement.

  Turning back to Xavier, Sam smirked. "See? Proved my point. She’s not following us. The only lady here is my amazing, beautiful girlfriend."

  With that, Sam turned to Tina, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into a kiss. Tina kissed him back briefly but quickly noticed the look of irritation on Xavier’s face.

  "Sam, stop," Tina said, gently pulling away. Her tone was firm as she placed a hand on his chest, stepping out of his hold. Sam looked at her, surprised, while Xavier’s gaze shifted uncomfortably to the ground.

  Sam’s expression twisted with anger as he turned to Xavier. "Are you really jealous, buddy?" he snapped, his voice sharp.

  "No, man, I’m serious," Xavier replied, his tone unwavering. "Something is still following us."

  Sam exhaled sharply, closing his eyes in frustration. The alcohol coursing through his system made his temper harder to control. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, then opened his eyes and growled, "Fine, I’ll check it out."

  Without waiting for a response, Sam stormed toward the alleyway between two buildings. His voice echoed as he shouted, "Hey! Somebody out there? Is anybody following us? Get the hell out here and show me your ugly face!"

  He spun around to face Xavier, shaking his head with mock disappointment. "See? That’s what I told you. Nobody he—"

  A sharp noise cut him off.

  Sam’s expression froze. The cocky smirk vanished from his face. Panic replaced his bravado as he turned slowly back toward the dark alley. His hands rose into the air as if in surrender, his body trembling.

  "Sam… are you okay?" Tina’s voice quivered with fear.

  Sam didn’t respond. His lips trembled, and his breathing became audible—long, uneven gasps. He stood there, rooted to the spot, staring into the shadows of the alley.

  Seeing Sam like this sent a chill down Xavier’s spine. His usual calm demeanor faded, replaced by a look of dread. Summoning what courage he could, he took a hesitant step forward. "Sam… what is it? Tell me," Xavier asked, his voice shaky but firm.

  Sam remained silent, his breaths ragged. The street, otherwise eerily quiet, seemed to amplify the sound of his panic. Tina clung to Xavier, her eyes wide with terror. She had never seen Sam like this before.

  The flickering streetlights made the already tense atmosphere unbearable. Shadows danced around them, distorting the scene as Xavier and Tina cautiously moved closer to Sam.

  "Sam, tell me something!" Tina yelled, desperation in her voice.

  The two reached Sam, their hearts pounding. Slowly, they turned their gaze toward the alleyway, but the darkness revealed nothing. Yet, Sam’s terror was unmistakable, his wide eyes fixed on something deep within the shadows.

  Tina yelled at Sam in fear as she and Xavier cautiously approached him. They peered into the dark alleyway but found nothing there. Despite this, Sam’s panicked expression and his heavy breathing made their hearts race. Tentatively, they touched his shoulder, but he remained frozen.

  Suddenly, a noise echoed from the alleyway, making both of them instinctively withdraw their hands. They looked ahead, and two small glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, sending a chill down their spines. The three of them stood paralyzed, staring at the glowing orbs.

  "BOOM!"

  The sudden sound made Tina stagger back, nearly fainting.

  "Meow."

  From the shadows, a small cat emerged, its glowing eyes catching the dim light as it casually trotted past them. The tension broke as the group let out shaky breaths.

  Sam, however, burst out laughing. "Ha ha ha... ha!" He doubled over, his laughter echoing in the quiet street.

  Tina gasped, her fear quickly replaced with irritation. She slapped the back of Sam’s head. "This isn’t funny, Sam! You scared us!"

  Still laughing, Sam pulled her closer in an attempt to soften the situation. "Now you know what it feels like, bro," he said, turning to Xavier with a mischievous grin. "I was just making my point."

  Tina pulled back from Sam and crossed her arms. "What’s wrong with you? Seriously, what was that?" she demanded, her voice sharp with annoyance.

  Sam smirked, unable to resist another joke. "Oh, that? That was your late grandfather, dressed as a cat, checking on his cute granddaughter," he said, chuckling as he tried to grab her waist again.

  She slapped his hand away, glaring at him. "Sam, stop it. This isn’t funny!"

  "I’m sorry, babe," Sam said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "It was just a joke. Don’t be serious, dear?"

  They began walking again through the empty, flickering streetlights. The unsettling atmosphere lingered, though none of them voiced it. Unbeknownst to them, the night still held dangers they couldn’t foresee.

  Suddenly, Xavier tensed. His eyes darted to the left.

  Two figures stood nearby.

  At first, he thought they were just shadows cast by the flickering streetlights. But as he focused, their shapes remained—motionless, cloaked figures standing in the dimly lit street, as if they had always been there.

  No one else noticed them. Not the distant passersby. Not the occasional car rolling by. Not even Sam or Tina.

  Just him.

  His breath caught. Something was wrong.

  It wasn’t just their stillness, or the way they stood perfectly silent, as if they weren’t even breathing. It was the feeling—like an unseen force pressing down on him, like something just beneath his skin remembered them before his mind could.

  Then, it happened.

  The dim glow of a streetlight shifted just enough to reveal a glimpse of what lay beneath their cloaks.

  Xavier’s stomach twisted.

  Crystalline armor.

  Dark yet shimmering, layered in patterns that felt too precise, too unnatural to be crafted by human hands. And then—the second figure’s hood shifted, revealing a glimpse of etched symbols woven into his clothing.

  Xavier’s heart pounded in his chest.

  I’ve seen this before.

  Not in this city. Not in real life.

  But in his nightmares.

  Shattered glimpses of these exact figures, flickering in the depths of his subconscious for as long as he could remember. Watching him. Standing just like this. Every time he woke up drenched in sweat, unable to shake the feeling that they weren’t just dreams.

  But now, they were here.

  Real.

  And worse—they had noticed him, too.

  The taller figure stiffened. A subtle, almost imperceptible shift in posture. His hood dipped slightly, as if reconsidering something—as if realizing that Xavier should not have been able to see them.

  Perado’s entire body remained still, but his mind raced.

  This wasn’t possible.

  In every mission, in every covert operation, he had moved through worlds unseen—watching, never being watched. Not unless he allowed it. Not unless he made the first move.

  Yet now, in this insignificant human city, a mortal had spotted him first.