Chapter 7: Starlight and Shadows

Deep within the cave, a low, guttural roar suddenly erupted, echoing off the damp stone walls. The sound clawed up from the abyss, raw with hunger and rage, churning the air and causing the cave to tremble.

"Ethan... Hess..." The voice, hoarse and beastly, dripped with vengeful hatred as it called out the name with unrestrained desire.

A faint glow appeared in the darkness, illuminating the corner of the cave, and was followed by a calm, icy voice: "Is this still not enough to satisfy you?"

In the shadows, a pair of blood-red eyes narrowed, glowing like those of a wild beast. The eyes fixed intensely on the source of the light, a growl of frustration rumbling from deep in its throat. "Not enough... nowhere near enough... I need more blood... only then can I achieve true freedom!"

The mysterious figure chuckled softly, with a hint of scorn and mockery. "Freedom? Don't forget, your existence has long been bound to this darkness. Blood may make you powerful, but you will never leave this place."

"More blood..." The eyes, now filled with madness, flashed as the voice grew even colder. "No matter the cost, find him, bring him back... only his blood can set me free from this."

In the bookstore, Ethan Hess looked out the window. Night had fallen, and the streets were nearly empty as the city was enveloped in stillness. The soft, warm lighting in the store combined with the quiet to create a feeling of isolation and peace—the very atmosphere he cherished.

Ethan's fingers tapped lightly on the counter, but his thoughts were far from calm. Ever since that mysterious visitor had shattered his peaceful life, an unsettling sense of foreboding had lingered. The message brought by that uninvited guest stirred memories he'd long wanted to leave behind, and he felt that some unknown danger was slowly closing in.

"An old friend..." he murmured, his gaze resting on the familiar spines of the books on the shelf, as though they might hold the answers he sought. But he knew that nothing could change the reality: his past life and current peace could not remain untouched.

He remembered a time when he lived in a world filled with conflict and danger, with a different name, identity, and lifestyle. When he had chosen to escape it all, he'd thought he could bury that life in the past. Yet, he never imagined it would return so abruptly.

Ray Quinn's gaze drifted through the bookshelves, landing on Ethan Hess behind the counter. He paused briefly, an expression of mild surprise and some unreadable emotions surfacing as he walked over.

"Wow! Ray, look at this! Such an atmospheric bookstore!" A young woman's excited voice suddenly broke into Ethan's thoughts.

He looked up to see a cheerful young woman standing at the entrance, with a slightly plump man beside her, looking a bit helpless. Ethan's gaze flickered slightly; the man was indeed Ray Quinn.

"Quite the charming bookstore," Ray remarked, glancing around with a trace of admiration.

The young woman eagerly browsed the shelves, pulling Ray over now and then to show him things, as if every book intrigued her. Ray followed quietly, a faint, helpless smile on his face, appearing unable to refuse her.

"Ethan Hess?" Ray raised his brows in surprise. "What a coincidence—I didn't realize this was your store."

Ethan responded with a faint smile, nodding. "Yes, I remember I told you once. You never visited, though, did you?"

Ray shrugged, a bit apologetic. "You know how busy I am. I really haven't had the time to stop by. But now that I'm here, I have to say—your place is impressive."

"Indeed, it's quiet—a good place for those who enjoy solitude," Ethan said softly. "And this young lady is...?"

The young woman interjected with a bright smile, "I'm Nina Eichner, a friend of Ray's! First time visiting Sunnydale, and he's showing me around." She glanced around curiously. "Mr. Hess, you've got quite the collection here. There's a secretive vibe—it really suits this city."

"Glad you find it welcoming," Ethan replied with a polite nod, a subtle air of reserve in his tone.

Nina continued to study him, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Strange, I can't shake the feeling that we've met before, though I can't quite remember where..."

Ethan remained calm, his smile faint, speaking with a hint of distance. "Perhaps it's just an illusion. In a bookstore like this, one might feel a sense of familiarity, as if encountering an old friend."

Nina tilted her head, a spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Weird... but maybe I'm just imagining things," she said, brushing off her suspicions with a smile.

Ray observed their interaction with a gentle smile, breaking the subtle tension. "Alright, Nina, let's not bother Mr. Hess too much. Didn't you say you wanted to browse for some books? He has quite the collection here."

"Ethan, the police stopped by looking for you this afternoon," Ethan remarked suddenly.

Ray paused, his expression briefly puzzled as he frowned. "The police? What did they say?"

Ethan shrugged casually, his tone calm. "They just asked a few basic questions, wanted to confirm your whereabouts and address. It seemed like routine."

Ray nodded thoughtfully, though a flicker of concern crossed his gaze. "Odd. I hardly ever have any dealings with the police, and I haven't done anything unusual lately. I've just been busy with design projects."

Nina looked over, surprised. "The police looking for you? You wouldn't happen to be hiding any secrets, would you?" she teased, her tone playful but tinged with genuine curiosity.

Ray laughed, shaking his head. "You're overthinking it. I'm just a designer, not some mysterious figure. Maybe you've read too many mystery novels and are letting your imagination run wild."

Nina stuck out her tongue, flashing a mischievous grin before turning back to the shelves, seemingly dismissing the conversation.

Ray looked back at Ethan, a note of gratitude in his voice. "Thanks for letting me know, Ethan. If I hadn't come by today, I might not have heard about this for a while."

Ethan smiled lightly. "No need to thank me; it was just a casual mention." He added with subtle meaning, "If you ever need anything, feel free to stop by. This place may be quiet, but it can also be a safe harbor."

Ray's gaze deepened slightly before he gave a small nod. "I'll remember that."

Ray glanced at his watch and smiled at Nina. "Alright, Nina, it's getting late. We should head to the restaurant."

Reluctantly, Nina closed the book she was holding, a trace of reluctance in her expression. "This bookstore is so relaxing; I almost don't want to leave." She placed the book back on the shelf, then turned to Ethan. "Thank you for letting me browse. I'll come again."

Ethan nodded, maintaining his calm smile. "You're welcome anytime. Take care."

Ray nodded politely at Ethan, as though on the verge of saying more but stopping himself. In the end, he simply said softly, "I'll drop by again sometime." With that, he opened the door, guiding Nina out of the store. The night had fully descended, and the streets were sparse with passersby. Ray took a deep breath and led Nina towards their dinner destination.

After leaving the bookstore, Nina murmured softly, "Mr. Hess is certainly mysterious." She glanced at Ray, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "I can't help but feel he's not a simple man."

Ray gave a light chuckle. "He is indeed a man of mystery, but that's just how he is. No need to think too much about it." The two of them strolled away under the glow of the streetlights, disappearing into the distance.

Later, Alina Smith and Alex Lin arrived at the Stellar Foundation's branch office in Sunnydale. The building was simple and elegant, and the signs and banners at the entrance exuded the spirit of a charity organization. Alex seemed quite enthusiastic as he led Alina into the lobby, pointing to a wall display of the foundation's achievements. "Look at these! They're making a real impact in remote areas."

Alina scanned the display, silently noting the details of each event, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. She knew that the Stellar Foundation's public image might just be a cover for more complex activities. Her memories told her that there was something unusual behind the foundation's facade.

After checking in with the staff, Alex led Alina to the supply sorting area. The staff greeted them with a warm smile, assigning them to organize and inspect the supplies. Alina took the instruction manual and appeared focused on her work, though she discreetly observed the layout of the facility and the interactions between the members.

After a while, she overheard a hushed conversation nearby regarding the transport mission for the supplies:

"This shipment seems different from the usual... handle it with care."

"Yeah, I heard there's a special batch going out soon. Let's keep the newbies in the dark for now..."

Hearing this, Alina grew cautious, but her expression remained unchanged as she continued sorting the supplies.

Unaware of her reaction, Alex chatted enthusiastically with her about the foundation's activities. "Look, their project plans are really thorough. They even have medical missions and supply deliveries coming up. I'd say they're pretty trustworthy."

Alina smiled lightly, casually asking, "Their operations are pretty extensive. I wonder where they get all their funding from?"

Alex thought for a moment before answering, "I'm not too sure about that. I heard some of it comes from corporate donations, and some from private backers. They must have some reliable sponsors, considering their scale."

Alina gave a slight smile, her gaze lingering thoughtfully on the supply list displayed. "That's impressive. A funding setup like this is rare."

As they worked, a senior foundation member approached them, speaking to Alex with a friendly tone. "Mr. Lin, great job! Thanks for bringing along such a capable helper." He glanced briefly at Alina, smiling warmly. "We're expanding our activities soon. Would you consider becoming more involved?"

Alex smiled and replied casually, "If there's an opportunity, I'd love to help out however I can."

Alina returned his smile, her tone light and noncommittal. "I have some other commitments, so I might not be able to participate all the time."

The staff member chuckled. "That's a shame. But Mr. Lin, we'd love to have you at some of our internal meetings soon. It'll give you a closer look at our operations and even some of our core plans."

Alina took note of his words, remaining calm outwardly but growing more intrigued internally. She knew these plans might reveal deeper secrets within the foundation, and Alex's involvement could become her opportunity to uncover the truth.