Market Center - 7 PM
Erion's plans never failed. Everyone who worked under him knew that. Whether it was a high-stakes operation or a last-minute escape, his success rate was flawless. His precision was unmatched.This will be the last step... he thought as his mind focused on the task ahead.
"Pardon!" A man in a dark blue jacket and black pants weaved through the bustling street, dodging pedestrians left and right. His crimson red hair and slim-framed glasses were barely visible beneath the face mask he wore.
"Coming through!" he called out again, just loud enough to grab attention, narrowly avoiding a collision with a child and her mother.
"Sorry!" he shouted, not looking back as he sped ahead.
"Watch it, young man!" the mother scolded, but her words were lost in the noise of the busy street.
"That's him!" A voice shouted from behind, cutting through the crowd.
They saw me. Good.
With a swift glance over his shoulder, Erion pushed forward, his legs carrying him in the opposite direction of the cloak member he had just rescued.
Five men in black suits were still hot on his trail, cutting through the crowd, their footsteps growing louder with each passing second. The streets of the market were alive with activity—families shopping, couples strolling, and groups of colleagues chatting. It was the perfect place to lose a tail.
I need to lure them away from him—give him time to get out.
Erion's crystal-blue eyes flashed in the night, the intensity of the chase clear in his gaze. He darted between people, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, drawing just enough attention to keep the men following him.
"Stop, you!" one of the men shouted, but the throngs of people in the plaza made it difficult for them to close the gap.
Right on schedule.
He veered off into a less crowded section of the plaza, his mind calculating every move. He glanced down at his wristwatch—just a few more seconds to go.
"Two more minutes."
But as his eyes flicked back up, a new group of men in matching black suits came into view from the opposite end of the street, heading straight toward him.
I knew they were too few for this job.
Erion didn't hesitate. Rather than backtrack or try to outrun them, he slid sideways into an alley, his body twisting to fit through a narrow gap just wide enough to slip through. He pressed himself into the tight space, moving slowly and quietly, blending into the shadows.
Behind him, the footsteps of the men faltered. They paused, confused, unsure of where he had gone.
Come on now...
Erion smirked, his heart pumping with adrenaline. You've got to chase me for just a few more seconds.
Then, suddenly, the sound of running footsteps picked up again. They were back on his trail, more determined than before.
Just as I planned.
But then, something unexpected happened. At the end of the narrow alley, a solid brick wall blocked his path. Without missing a beat, Erion leaped upward, his hands grabbing the rough surface of the wall. His body propelled upward with ease—no hesitation, no effort.
As he reached the top, the rain hammered down, soaking him instantly. He glanced over his shoulder at the men who had now reached the alley, their frustration evident.
One of them raised a gun, aiming it at him.
"One minute!" Erion muttered to himself, the words barely audible over the sound of the rain. He jumped down from the wall, landing with a soft thud, then immediately broke into a sprint again. They're getting desperate.
"Thirty more seconds." He kept his pace steady, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He was now in a lovers' park, the kind of place where couples wandered hand in hand, too engrossed in their own world to notice the man running through their midst.
"I saw him run here!" One of the men shouted, just as he passed a group of laughing couples.
I just need to disappear... blend in.
Erion's heart raced, but his expression remained calm. As he ran through the park, he moved with the fluid grace of a predator in its element—silent, efficient, and nearly invisible. Looking around, he prepared his final disguise. 3... 2... 1...
Erion clicked the button, deactivating the cloak device. In an instant, his appearance shifted back to his usual attire: a black leather jacket, a gray shirt, dark-colored pants, and white sneakers. The sleek transformation erased the layers of deception, and once again, the true Erion Macquiade was revealed. His dark hair contrasted sharply with his cold, ocean-blue eyes, and his face, small and sharp, held a nonchalant expression—perfectly crafted for blending in.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the crowded market, a woman in an orange dress stood frozen, her eyes wide as she heard the sound of heavy footsteps splashing through the rain. A man was running toward her with unstoppable speed. The chaos of the market seemed to disappear, and all she could focus on was the approaching figure.
He looks serious and frightening, she thought, panic creeping up her spine.
She tried to move out of his way, but in her hasty attempt, the box in her hands slipped from her grasp and hit the ground with a loud thud. The sudden movement threw her off balance, and she felt herself falling.
Her heart raced, and in a split second, she closed her eyes.
I don't want to die.