Eyes in the Dark

rusted dumpster in the maze of narrow backstreets, their breaths forming misty clouds in the chill night air. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting fractured shards of color that danced on puddles and broken glass.

Kael's gaze was sharp, every muscle coiled and ready. "We wait. Whoever's coming won't expect us."

Aeris's fingers hovered over the small scanner in her palm, feeding her real-time data, but her eyes never left the shadowed alley ahead.

Minutes stretched into agonizing eternity, broken only by the distant thrum of hovercars and the steady rhythm of raindrops.

Suddenly, a figure slipped silently from the darkness — a woman cloaked in a black trench coat, her face obscured beneath a hood.

Aeris's heart quickened. "There. That's our contact."

Kael nodded, signaling silence as they followed the figure deeper into the labyrinth of alleys.

But as they rounded a corner, a sharp clang echoed — a trap snapping shut behind them.

"Move!" Kael growled, drawing his weapon as figures emerged from the shadows, their faces cold and merciless.

Aeris raised her pistol, fingers steady despite the sudden rush.

The chase had begun.