They burst into the night street.
Cold wind.
Dark sky.
Empty road.
Aria bent forward.
"Are they still coming?"
Mira glanced behind them.
"Yes."
Kael tightened his grip on the watch.
"Then we keep moving."
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Not normal footsteps.
Perfect.
Identical.
Aria looked back.
Five Keepers walked out of the shop.
Silent.
Relentless.
"How do we stop them?"
Mira answered,
"You don't."
"Great."
They ran through the street.
Past dark buildings.
Past empty intersections.
Aria's lungs burned.
Suddenly —
A man stepped out of an alley.
Tall.
Bearded.
Leather jacket.
He raised his hands.
"Relax."
Kael stopped instantly.
"…Jonas."
Aria frowned.
"Friend?"
Jonas smirked.
"Sometimes."
Mira rolled her eyes.
"Of course he's here."
Jonas looked at Aria.
"So you're the girl."
"Yes."
"Interesting."
Kael snapped,
"Not now."
The Keepers stepped closer.
Jonas looked past them.
"Oh."
His smile faded.
"That's a lot."
Aria asked quickly,
"Can you help or not?"
Jonas pulled a small metal device from his pocket.
"Maybe."
He pressed a button.
A loud pulse exploded across the street.
The Keepers stopped.
For a moment.
Then their heads slowly turned
toward him.
Jonas sighed.
"…that usually works better."