Chapter 1 Prologue
Evra's POV
The rain had just stopped when I left the office, shutting my laptop that had been burning my eyes since morning. The tall building loomed behind me, its neon lights still glowing bright—as if mocking my tired steps. That night felt just like every other night—quiet, cold, and way too long for someone who only wanted to go home and rest.
I pulled my jacket tighter and kept my head down, walking across the wet pavement. The street was empty, only the occasional car passing by with water splashing on the asphalt. My earphones were still in, but for some reason, I didn’t play any music. There was a strange feeling... like a faint pressure crawling up my spine. As if a pair of eyes had been glued to my back ever since I walked out of the lobby.
I turned around quickly. Nothing. Only the flickering streetlights.
“You’re just too tired, Evra,” I muttered, trying to calm myself. But my steps quickened—without me realizing it.
Three blocks away from my apartment, the street grew darker. That’s when I realized something was off. A shadow moved—fast—and it looked oddly familiar. Its footsteps didn’t match mine. At first faint, then clearer and clearer.
My hair stood on end.
I stopped. The footsteps behind me stopped too.
My throat tightened, my brain racing to make sense of it. Maybe just someone passing by. Maybe it was nothing. But when I started walking again, the sound returned—heavier, sharper—and I knew then, it wasn’t from this world.
I ran. My heels hit the asphalt hard as my breath came in short gasps. I crossed the street, cutting through a narrow alley lit by a single dim lamp. But those footsteps only grew closer, unaffected by how fast I ran.
“Who’s there?!” my voice cracked, trembling.
No answer.
Only the sound of shoes hitting the ground—closer, louder. I clutched my bag to my chest, panicking, looking for a way out.
Suddenly, a black car stopped at the end of the alley. Its headlights flashed blindingly, and the back door swung open.
Before I could scream, someone grabbed me from behind. A rough hand covered my mouth, and strong arms wrapped around me so tight I could barely breathe. I kicked, struggled, bit—but it was useless.
“She’s still fighting,” a low voice whispered against my ear, mixed with the smell of metal and wet soil. “Good thing we found her.”
A cold needle pierced my neck. Something liquid flowed into my veins—burning, then numbing. My body grew heavy, my vision spun. I barely caught a glimpse of silver eyes gleaming in the dark.
“Take her. She has to arrive before midnight,” another voice echoed, louder. “No one else touches her first.”