Chapter 4: A Shady Introduction

Despite their initial skepticism, the village didn't seem particularly cult-like. Instead, it smelled incredible. The moment Erica caught the scent of sizzling meat and freshly baked bread, all sense of urgency vanished from her mind. Judging by how quickly Sydney and Sid dispersed, they felt the same way.

Sid gravitated toward a stall selling weapons, picking up a sleek-looking knife with a silver handle. Sydney was a few feet away, marveling at a set of brass knuckles engraved with a swirling floral design. Meanwhile, Erica had a singular focus: food. She zeroed in on a skewer stand, handing over a few bills to a bored-looking vendor before digging in.

It wasn't until she finished her second skewer that she remembered something important.

They were stranded.

Erica froze, mid-bite, and slowly turned her head, scanning the area for the twins. She spotted Sydney easily—only two stalls away, examining a belt with hidden compartments.

Sydney caught Erica's frantic expression and raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you?"

Erica exhaled sharply, pretending she hadn't just suffered a minor internal meltdown. "Where's Sid?"

Sydney casually pointed across the street. "Over there. Why?"

Following Sydney's gesture, Erica's eyes landed on Sid—standing far too close to a man who immediately set off every internal alarm she had.

The guy looked to be around her age, with a pretty face and brown hair pulled back into a low ponytail. His dark green eyes practically sparkled with amusement as he flashed Sid an infuriatingly smug grin. Even from a distance, Erica could tell this man was trouble. He exuded the kind of confidence only possessed by con artists and people who could talk their way out of speeding tickets.

And then she saw Sid handing over his wallet.

She gasped audibly before storming across the street, trying to radiate authority and sternness. She did not succeed.

"What—" Erica snatched Sid's wrist and yanked it back before he could give away his last dollar. "—exactly do you think you're doing?"

Sid immediately went into his awkward, stammering routine, avoiding eye contact. "I-I was just—he said—"

Erica cut him off with a deadpan stare before turning her attention to the scammer currently holding Sid's wallet. "Alright, Mr. Shady Scammer, hand it over."

The man—who was absolutely, undeniably enjoying himself—tilted his head and smirked. "Confidential transaction," he said smoothly. "But if you're interested, I could sell you the same information for a very reasonable price."

Erica stared at him, unimpressed. "Not interested."

And with that, she yanked Sid away, dragging him back toward Sydney, who was already watching the scene unfold with her arms crossed.

The moment they returned, Sydney took one look at Sid's guilty face and sighed dramatically. "Oh, Sid. You absolute fool."

"I was just trying to—"

"No." Sydney cut him off, placing a hand on her hip. "You're done talking. I am about to verbally destroy you for the next fifteen minutes, and you are going to stand there and take it."

Erica, knowing full well that Sydney was better at lecturing than she'd ever be, patted Sid on the shoulder before stepping aside to let it happen.

As Sydney launched into her tirade, Erica glanced over her shoulder to find Mr. Shady Scammer still watching them, hands in his pockets, looking entirely too amused.

Something told her this wasn't the last she'd see of him.

And for some reason, that annoyed her more than anything.