Hide's blue eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he slowly turned his head toward the source of the voice.
The words had come from the dense, leafy canopy of the oak tree just a few yards ahead of him.
It was a man. But he didn't look like an Exterminator, a thug, or a monster.
He looked completely mundane, exhausted civilian returning from a late shift. He was a chill-looking guy dressed in a crisp white office shirt, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, a loosely tied black tie, and tailored black trousers.
In his left hand, he casually held a sleek, silver briefcase. The man was leaning against the trunk of the tree, looking down at Hide with a lazy, sly grin.
Hide let out a slow, tired sigh and looked down at his own boots, relaxing his posture just a fraction. "I didn't do that on purpose," He said flatly, keeping his tone carefully neutral.
"And how can you be so sure about that anyway? You think a guy is going to off himself just because I smiled at him?"
