The First Move from who?

The city pulsed beneath their feet, its heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of their footsteps. It wasn't just a place—it was alive, breathing in the spaces between the cracks of reality, watching every step they took.

Ethan and the man—Noah, though he hadn't said his name aloud yet—walked side by side through streets that weren't the same twice. The city shifted when they weren't looking, buildings subtly rearranging themselves, streetlights flickering in nonexistent patterns.

Noah broke the silence first. "So, you gonna tell me what the hell this place is, or are we just gonna keep playing the silent tour guide routine?"

Ethan's lips quirked into a faint smile. "If I told you everything, it wouldn't be any fun."

Noah snorted. "I don't like fun."

"Then you're really not going to like what comes next."

They rounded a corner, and the street disappeared.

One minute, there was solid ground beneath them. The next—void.

But they didn't fall.

Instead, the city rearranged itself, pulling them forward onto a bridge that hadn't been there before. It arched high above what should have been streets, but now there was only darkness beneath them, stretching endlessly.

Noah stopped mid-step, his eyes narrowing. "Okay. That's new."

Ethan didn't even flinch. "You get used to it."

Noah shot him a sideways glance. "You say that like this isn't completely insane."

Ethan's expression darkened. "That's because it is."

Back on the Shore—Anna Makes a Decision

Anna was pacing.

Ethan had been quiet for hours before he finally told her he felt it—that pull, that tether, whatever the hell was still connecting him to the city they'd left behind.

And now, he was gone.

Not gone as in missing.

Gone as in, he had left.

Without her.

She kicked a rock off the dock, watching it skip once before vanishing beneath the waves.

Goddamn it, Ethan.

She knew he'd do something like this. He always did. Thought he had to fix everything himself, like the weight of the world was somehow his personal responsibility.

But this time, she wasn't going to let him carry it alone.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through encrypted contacts.

Her finger hovered over one name before she finally pressed call.

It rang once. Twice.

Then—Victoria Lane answered.

Victoria Lane Knew Opportunity When She Saw It

When her phone buzzed with Anna Vasquez's name, Victoria didn't hesitate to answer.

She leaned back in her chair, a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Vasquez," she greeted smoothly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Anna's voice was sharp, to the point. "Cut the crap, Lane. You know where Ethan is."

Victoria chuckled softly. "I might. But the real question is—do you?"

Silence crackled over the line for a moment before Anna spoke again, her voice colder this time. "I'm not playing games, Victoria."

Victoria's smile widened. "Oh, but that's the fun part, isn't it?"

Anna exhaled sharply through her nose. "Listen, you want whatever's happening in that city contained? Fine. But you're not gonna do it without me. So either tell me where he is, or get the hell out of my way."

Victoria's eyes glinted. There it was.

She had known Anna would come around. It was only a matter of time.

"Meet me at the coordinates I'm sending you," she said, her tone smooth as silk. "We're going to get him back."

And then, for good measure—

"But Vasquez?"

Anna's sigh was audible. "What?"

Victoria's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Don't be so sure he wants to be found."

The City Tightens Its Grip

Noah followed Ethan deeper into the city, the streets narrowing around them, the buildings leaning closer like they were eavesdropping.

"This place feels like it's trying to swallow us whole," Noah muttered, his gaze flicking to a window where no reflection should have existed.

Ethan didn't slow his pace. "It is."

"Great." Noah rolled his shoulders. "So what's the plan, then? We just keep walking until the city decides to spit us back out?"

Ethan's steps faltered for the first time.

Noah noticed.

"You don't have a plan, do you?"

Ethan's jaw clenched. "Not one you'd like."

Before Noah could press him, a shadow passed overhead.

Both men stopped in their tracks, their eyes snapping upward.

Something was moving between the buildings. Fast. Silent. Too large to be human.

Noah's hand instinctively went to the weapon at his side. "What the hell is that?"

Ethan didn't answer.

Because he knew.

And he wasn't sure they could outrun it.

The shadows shifted again, and the city itself seemed to hold its breath.

Then—a voice echoed from everywhere at once.

"Welcome back, Ethan."

Noah froze. "What the—"

But Ethan was already moving, grabbing Noah's arm and pulling him down an alley that hadn't existed a second ago.

"Run!"

The city roared to life behind them.

And the chase began.