To The East

The city lights were beginning to fade as dawn teased the horizon, but the streets of Stonepine remained restless. Especially for those three.

Rama, Shoji, Axel, and Veyne had moved out of the slum zones hours ago. Now, they were walking through the more populated districts like the market lanes, old transit centers, and even quiet residential blocks, hoping that someone or anyone had seen the man they were looking for.

"Have you seen an old man? Pale, strange robes, looks like he doesn't belong?" Shoji asked a woman sweeping her front step.

She frowned. "That could be anyone. We get plenty of weirdos, especially around this time around."

Another passerby gave a similar answer. So did the next. And the next.

Again and again, people just shrugged, blinked in confusion, or responded with vague amusement. Some even looked uncomfortable as if sensing something off in their questions but not wanting to said it out loud.