The streets of Blackwood were almost empty.
A cold wind moved through the silent roads as Ryan walked alone under the dim streetlights. His mind was still stuck on his father's words.
"They don't just take people… they change them."
The sentence refused to leave him.
Something about it felt worse than death.
Ryan slowed his steps.
That feeling again.
He wasn't alone.
Without turning, his eyes shifted slightly toward the reflection in a dark shop window.
A figure.
Far behind him.
Walking at the same pace.
Watching.
Ryan kept moving.
Calm.
Controlled.
But now, alert.
He turned left into a quieter street.
The footsteps followed.
Closer.
Faster.
Then suddenly—
Ryan stopped.
The footsteps stopped too.
A moment of silence.
Then Ryan spoke, his voice cold.
"You've been following me for a while."
No answer.
He turned around slowly.
The figure stood under a flickering streetlight.
Face hidden.
Still.
"Who sent you?" Ryan asked.
The figure didn't respond.
Instead—
They started walking toward him.
Step by step.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Ryan didn't wait.
The moment the figure got closer—
He moved.
Fast.
He turned and ran.
The quiet street exploded into motion.
Footsteps echoed sharply as Ryan sprinted forward.
Behind him—
The figure followed.
Not running wildly.
But precisely.
Like they knew exactly where he would go.
Ryan turned into an alley.
Dark.
Narrow.
His breath stayed steady, but his mind raced.
This isn't random.
They're trying to catch me.
He reached the end of the alley—
Blocked.
A dead end.
Ryan stopped instantly.
Turned.
The figure stepped into the alley entrance.
Now there was no escape.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then—
The figure spoke.
A distorted voice.
Cold.
"You should have stopped when you had the chance."
Ryan's eyes narrowed.
"So this is what you do?" he replied calmly. "Chase people in the dark?"
The figure tilted their head slightly.
"We don't chase."
A pause.
Then—
"We collect."
Before Ryan could react—
The figure rushed forward.
Fast.
Faster than expected.
Ryan barely stepped aside in time as the figure lunged.
They collided against the wall.
Ryan countered quickly, pushing them back.
For a brief moment, they faced each other.
Close.
Tense.
The figure's face still hidden.
Ryan's voice dropped.
"You're not alone, are you?"
No reply.
But that was the answer.
A sudden noise echoed behind him.
Another step.
Another presence.
Ryan turned slightly—
Too late.
Something struck his shoulder.
Hard.
He stumbled forward.
Pain shot through his arm.
Two of them.
The first figure moved again.
Ryan reacted instantly, dodging the next attack and striking back.
The fight was quick.
Sharp.
Controlled.
But they weren't trying to fight him.
They were trying to capture him.
Ryan's breathing grew heavier.
He was outnumbered.
And they knew it.
Then—
A bright light flashed into the alley.
Headlights.
A car.
The sudden brightness cut through the darkness.
The figures froze for a second.
Just a second.
But it was enough.
Ryan didn't hesitate.
He ran.
Past the light.
Out of the alley.
Into the open street.
Behind him—
The figures didn't follow.
They disappeared.
Like shadows fading into the night.
Ryan slowed down only after turning two corners.
His breathing steadying.
But his mind sharper than ever.
This wasn't a warning anymore.
This was direct.
Clear.
They weren't just watching him.
They had started moving.
And now Ryan knew one thing for sure—
He wasn't chasing the mystery anymore.
The mystery…
Was coming for him. 🌑📖