Morning shifted into movement.
Inside a government building—
Boots echoed against polished floors.
A woman walked down the hallway, calm, composed.
A soldier standing by a door straightened immediately.
He saluted.
Soldier: Director Selene Varkas.
She didn't stop.
She simply nodded and walked past him.
The door opened.
She stepped into her office.
Closed it behind her.
Silence.
Selene moved to her desk, picked up a phone, and dialed.
The line rang once.
Twice—
Click.
A different scene—
A small, quiet motel room.
Maya sat on the edge of the bed, posture straight, eyes focused.
The phone rested against her ear.
Maya: Yes, ma'am.
Selene's voice came through—cold, controlled.
Selene Varkas: Are you still on your mission?
Maya: Yes, ma'am.
Selene Varkas: Have you been spotted?
A pause.
Maya: No. No one has seen me.
Selene Varkas: Good.
Silence lingered for a second.
Then—
Selene Varkas: Complete the mission.
Her tone sharpened slightly.
Selene Varkas: And do not fail me, Maya.
Maya's grip tightened slightly on the phone.
Maya: I won't fail.
Another pause.
Selene Varkas: Wait until he steps out.
Selene Varkas: Then you strike.
Selene Varkas: Is that understood?
Maya: Understood.
Click.
The call ended.
Maya lowered the phone slowly.
She exhaled.
Quiet.
Still.
The streets—
Alive.
Crowded.
Noisy.
Nick suddenly dropped to the side of the road.
Bat blinked.
Nick pulled off his jacket, spread it on the ground, and sat.
Head lowered.
Hand slightly extended.
Bat stared.
Bat: …what the hell are you doing?
Nick didn't look up.
Nick: What does it look like?
A pause.
Nick: I'm begging.
Bat's face didn't change.
Bat: No one's giving you anything.
Right then—
A woman walking past slowed.
She looked at Nick.
Smiled.
Woman: Aww… you're cute.
She dropped money onto the jacket.
Nick's eyes widened slightly.
He looked up.
Nick: Oh—thank you, ma'am.
She walked off.
Nick slowly turned his head—
And froze.
Bat was already on the ground.
Jacket spread out.
Hand slightly raised.
Nick stared.
Silence.
Nick's body tilted—
Almost collapsing.
Bat: Don't you dare.
Nick forced himself back up.
Nick: …I hate you.
Bat didn't respond.
They stayed there.
Begging.
Elsewhere—
An engine idled.
Sky sat at a roadside stall.
A plate of meat in front of him.
He ate calmly.
Unbothered.
His phone rang.
He picked it up without looking.
Sky: What.
Director Halden Krowe: Have you found them yet?
Sky took another bite.
Chewed.
Swallowed.
Sky: I'm not Void.
A pause.
Sky: I'm not fast. I'm not flashy.
He leaned back slightly.
Sky: I take my time.
Sky: These people are hiding.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Sky: And they're good at it.
Silence.
Then—
Director Halden Krowe: I thought you were smart.
A beat.
Director Halden Krowe: Maybe I should call Void.
Sky scoffed lightly.
Sky: Yeah.
Sky: Maybe you should.
He wiped his hand.
Sky: I don't even know why you called me.
Sky: I was doing just fine before this.
A pause.
Then—
Director Halden Krowe: I have to go.
His tone sharpened.
Director Halden Krowe: Find them within 24 hours.
Director Halden Krowe: Or I bring Void into this.
Sky's eyes flickered slightly.
But he didn't react much.
Sky: He won't come.
A pause.
Sky: You remember?
Sky: He already said no.
Silence.
Then—
Director Halden Krowe: …you're right.
A breath.
Director Halden Krowe: Just hurry up.
Click.
The call ended.
Sky looked at his phone for a second.
Then sighed.
Sky: …damn.
He reached into his pocket.
Pulled out a photo.
Bat.
Nick.
His eyes scanned it.
Sky: Where are you…
A voice cut in.
The man at the stall leaned forward slightly.
Vendor: Hey.
Sky looked up.
Vendor: I've seen those two before.
A pause.
Sky's eyes sharpened.
Sky: …is that so?
The vendor nodded.
Vendor: Yeah.
Vendor: Tried to steal my meat.
Silence.
Then—
Sky smiled.
Slow.
Interested.
Sky: Then tell me…
He leaned forward slightly.
Sky: Where did they go?
High above the city—
Inside the tall hotel—
Void stood near the table.
Finished eating.
He stretched slightly.
Void: That was good.
He turned slightly.
Void: I'm heading to bed.
A pause.
He glanced at her.
Void: You coming?
The girl looked up from where she stood.
Girl: Give me a minute.
Void nodded.
Void: Don't take too long.
He walked away.
Into the bedroom.
The door remained slightly open.
Silence.
The girl stood still.
Then slowly turned—
Toward the window.
The city stretched endlessly below.
Her eyes lingered.
Watching.
Thinking.
Something… unreadable.