Friend

Kalem's mind races as he counts the credits in his pocket. He's still about 30 short of what he needs, and time is running out. He glances over his shoulder, making sure he's not being followed, before slipping into an alley. The street is crowded, perfect for someone like him—no one's paying attention.

He spots a few potential marks—people distracted by their conversations or their datapads. Kalem's hands move swiftly, slipping into bags, pockets, and satchels. A few quick pickpockets later, his pocket feels heavier, and the credits are in reach. A new coat, too—much better than the ragged one he had been wearing, and it doesn't smell like garbage. "Poor guy won't miss it," he thinks, as he adjusts it on his shoulders.

As Kalem heads toward Pixel Land, the sun sinks beneath the horizon, casting the city into twilight. The streets are bathed in the neon glow of advertisements, and the once-bustling crowds thin as the night deepens. Kalem can't help but feel the tension in the air. He's close to his goal—he just needs to get to Selena and make sure everything goes as planned.

When he finally reaches Pixel Land, the retro gaming studio stands in a quiet corner of the city, its neon sign flickering with a nostalgic glow. The place smells faintly of old tech, grease, and chips—a familiar comfort to Kalem.

Inside, Selena Kyle is at the counter, as always, hunched over a holographic screen with her fingers flying over a keyboard. She's a cute nerd, her dark hair falling in a messy ponytail. Kalem's eyes wander, and he can't help but wonder how she manages to keep her figure—she's all sharp edges and lean muscle, and there's a certain grace to her movements. He's sure she spends hours sitting at that desk, yet she looks like she could run circles around anyone.

Her eyes flick up as he approaches, and Kalem notices they're striking—sharp and feline, with a strange gleam in them. When he raises an eyebrow, she catches his gaze and smirks.

"Like my eyes?" she asks. "I'm descended from a race of cats, you know."

Kalem blinks, skeptical. "Yeah, sure. Cats. Those look like contacts to me."

She chuckles, clearly not bothered by his disbelief. "Keep thinking that. It's not like anyone cares anyway." Her fingers tap a few keys, and the screen lights up with more game stats.

He leans on the counter, a grin creeping onto his face. "Got the credits. You ready to help me out?"

Selena looks up from her screen, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Of course! As your trusted master hacker, always ready to help a friend," she says, flashing him a playful smile. "Maybe you can help me out later, though," she adds with a flirtatious wink.

Kalem raises an eyebrow, a grin tugging at his lips. "What do you want, now?"

Selena leans back in her chair, stretching lazily, as if she owns the place. "Well, I heard through the grapevine that you're taking the Awakening ceremony soon... figured I should wish you farewell. And, y'know," she trails off, a teasing smile curling on her lips, "if you want a night with me before you go, I may do it."

Kalem laughs, shaking his head. "Mad, are you listening in on me through my datapad again?"

She grins and gives a dramatic shrug. "I'm a hacker. It's what I do." Her eyes sparkle with the thrill of the chase—whether it's for information or something else entirely.

The playful atmosphere shifts slightly as Selena plugs in the datapads, her fingers flying over the keys. After a moment, she looks up at Kalem with a more serious expression.

"Alright," she says, her voice quieter now. "Good news and bad news."

Kalem leans in, his curiosity piqued.

"The good news is... there's enough money in here—about 50 neo credits. That should help you cover what you need." She pauses, her fingers still hovering over the data. "And, uh, family photos. If you want those too..." she adds, her lips curling into a half-smile. "But, uh, maybe not. Could get a little... sentimental, huh?"

She laughs, though it's not the usual teasing laugh. There's something else in it—maybe a flicker of understanding.

Kalem, watching her, raises an eyebrow. "And the bad news?"

Selena's fingers pause over the datapad, her expression shifting into something more serious. Kalem can feel the shift in the air, like the mood is about to turn.

"The bad news, though…" she says, her voice lowering. "You stole from the nephew of crime boss Stallone. You know, the Stallone family? They're a big name in this city, Kalem. And Stallone? That guy is a monster. Word is, he's killed people for far less than what you've done—like walking too fast, or even just upsetting him for no reason."

Kalem's face goes pale. He's heard the stories. Stallone's name is synonymous with fear, a shadow over the city. The thought of stealing from someone connected to him makes his blood run cold.

He swallows hard, trying to keep his composure. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm dead."

Selena doesn't seem fazed. She just gives him a reassuring smile. "Relax. I'll cover it. Free of charge, as always," she says, sliding a datapad across the counter to him. "Here. The credits are all in there, and I'll handle the rest. Just… don't go stealing from crime bosses' relatives again, yeah?"

Kalem takes the datapad, still feeling the weight of what he almost did. "Thanks, Selena," he mutters, though he's still on edge. "I'll make sure not to get caught next time."