Chapter 26 Watched
Noah’s job search stretched on longer than either of them expected. Despite his skills and the portfolio he’d built, most companies wanted formal credentials or years of documented experience. His self-taught abilities and the gap in his work history made him a hard sell in Toronto’s competitive tech market.
After three weeks of rejections, Noah made a decision. “I’m going to freelance,” he told Nora one evening. “Remote work. Building websites, managing databases, whatever projects I can find online. It’s not a traditional job, but it’s legitimate income.”
“Are you sure?” Nora asked. “Won’t that be unstable?”
“Maybe at first. But I can set my own hours, work from home, and there’s no background check or formal hiring process. Just me proving I can do the work.” Noah opened his laptop. “I’ve already signed up for a few freelance platforms. There are projects I can bid on starting today.”
Within a week, Noah had landed his first client. The pay wasn’t spectacular, but it was a start. He worked from their apartment, turning their tiny living room into a makeshift office during the day.
Nora’s first day at the bank went better than she’d dared to hope. Susan, her new manager, gave her a warm welcome and introduced her to the team. They were a small group, friendly and professional, and if they were curious about Nora’s five-year gap in employment, they were polite enough not to press.
Her job was straightforward: reviewing loan applications, meeting with clients, assessing creditworthiness. It was exactly what she’d done before Shadowveil, and her skills came back quickly. By the end of her first week, Susan was praising her efficiency and attention to detail.
“You’re a natural at this,” Susan said during Nora’s first review. “I’m glad we took a chance on you.”
“Thank you,” Nora replied, and meant it. This job represented more than just income. It represented normalcy. Proof that she could rebuild her life, that she wasn’t defined by what had happened to her.
The routine was comforting. Wake up, have breakfast with Noah, take the subway to the bank, work her shift, come home. Simple and Safe.
For the first few weeks, everything felt almost perfect. Noah’s freelance work picked up, bringing in steady income. They could pay rent, buy groceries, even save a little. They went on actual dates, dinner at restaurants, movies at the theater. They walked through the city holding hands like a normal couple, not fugitives, not survivors, just two people building a life together.
But the feeling of safety was an illusion. Nora should have known it wouldn’t last.
It started small. A feeling, more than anything concrete. The sensation of being watched. Nora would be walking to the subway after work and feel eyes on her. She’d turn around, scanning the crowd, but see nothing unusual. Just other commuters, other people going about their lives.
She told herself she was being paranoid. That her time at Shadowveil had made her hypervigilant. That not every shadow was a threat.
But the feeling persisted.
Then, about six weeks into her new job, Nora saw him for the first time.
She was leaving the bank at the end of her shift, stepping out onto the busy Toronto street.
That’s when she noticed the figure across the street.
Someone wearing all black. A hoodie pulled up over their head, obscuring his face.
Nora’s blood ran cold. She stopped walking, staring at the figure. For a long moment, neither of them moved. The street was busy with pedestrians and traffic, but in that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.
Then the figure turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.