Chapter 108: When Shadows Close In
The silver-masked man took a deliberate step forward.
Each of his movements was smooth, controlled — like a predator toying with its cornered prey.
Elias could feel the Watch heating up on his wrist, vibrating in an irregular rhythm, like it was trying to warn him but didn't know how.
"Skill Enhancement Activated: Intuitive Reflexes (Level 1)."
"Microsecond faster response time unlocked."
He barely had time to register the update.
---
Character Spotlight: Silver Mask (Unknown Name Yet)
Name: Unknown
Age: Estimated early 30s
Profession: Unknown (but trained in combat)
Appearance: Pale white skin, tall (over 6'2"), lean but muscular build, silver reflective mask covering full face
Attitude: Calm, calculating, unsettlingly polite
Flaws: Arrogance, unpredictable when provoked
Other: Wears a fitted black tactical outfit, moves with almost supernatural grace
---
Silver Mask's voice was smooth and strangely emotionless.
"You wear the device, Elias."
"You've triggered the sequence."
"You cannot stop what comes next."
Quinn, crouched low beside a dumpster, muttered, "Why do villains always sound like Siri on a bad day?"
Elira squeezed Elias's arm.
"What does he mean?" she whispered.
Elias didn't answer. He didn't know.
All he knew was that his body tensed to fight — but his instincts screamed something louder: this was a fight he couldn't win yet.
---
In life, there are moments when pride tempts us to stand our ground.
But true wisdom lies in knowing when the battle is not worth the war —
when survival is smarter than sacrifice.
---
Quinn whispered urgently, "Left! There's an open manhole ten feet down. I saw it earlier."
Elira blinked. "You're suggesting we climb into the sewers?"
"You wanna tango with Mr. Tin Man over there? Be my guest."
No time to debate.
Silver Mask advanced —
and Elias moved.
They darted left, skidding across wet concrete.
Quinn yanked up the loose manhole cover with surprising strength.
"Elias, go!" she barked.
One by one, they slipped into the darkness below.
The last thing Elias saw before dropping down was the Silver Mask smiling under the moonlight —
as if he had wanted them to run.
---
The air was thick with the stench of rot and dampness.
Their footsteps echoed eerily.
Elias tapped the Watch, summoning a small interface.
"Task Suggestion: Analyze Surroundings."
A soft blue glow emerged from the Watch's face, illuminating a narrow map of the underground tunnels.
"Northwest," Elias said breathlessly. "There's an exit about three blocks down."
They hurried, splashing through ankle-deep filth, desperate to put distance between themselves and whatever nightmare hunted them.
---
Quinn grumbled, holding her nose.
"If I die down here, make sure my tombstone reads, 'Death by dumbass decisions.'"
Elira, gagging slightly, said, "I think I just stepped on something alive."
Elias fought a chuckle. Despite everything — the Watch, the masked man, the danger —
these moments kept them human.
---
As they rounded another bend, they found something unexpected —
carved into the wall with deep, ragged strokes:
"The Watch is not what it seems."
Beneath it was a crude symbol — a circle split by a jagged lightning bolt.
Elias froze, heart hammering.
Quinn read the message and swore under her breath.
"Looks like your toy has a few skeletons in the closet," she said grimly.
Elira's voice was barely a whisper:
"What if we're not just running from danger?
What if we're carrying it with us?"
---
From the darkness ahead, they heard a soft noise —
not footsteps.
Not water.
A whisper.
Calling Elias's name.
Softly.
Sweetly.
And wrong.
He took a step back instinctively, every hair on his body standing on end.
Because in this place, beneath the city,
something else had found them.
And it was hungry.
---