The bakery smelled of sugar, cinnamon, and warmth—the kind of place that could make even the coldest morning soft again.
B&B's Bakery was alive with chatter, the staff calling out in practiced unison:
"Welcome to B&B's Bakery, where we bake till your heart's content!"
Sophie smiled as she slipped into her apron, the sweet scent of fresh bread clinging to her hands. She loved this place, even if the work left her drained. The customers laughed, the ovens hummed, and for a while, she let herself forget about dreams and shadows.
Finally, the manager clapped his hands. "Break time, everyone!"
"Ahh, finally," one employee groaned, stretching his back.
"Me too," another chimed, already reaching for a snack.
She stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, pulling in a deep breath. "Haaah…" She exhaled slowly, feeling the sun on her face.
Then—
Crash! Trash cans clattered to the ground.
A man—or what looked like a man—stumbled out of the alley, his clothes torn and his face pale. His eyes burned an unnatural crimson.
"Someone… help me," he rasped.
Sophie's heart lurched. She rushed forward, steadying him. "Are you alright, sir?"
People passed, staring at her strangely. She realized with a chill that they weren't even looking at the man. To them, she was speaking to thin air.
The man gripped her hand suddenly, his touch like fire. "Come!"
Before she could protest, he dragged her into a dark alley.
"Who… who are we running from?" Sophie managed between gasps.
That's when she saw it. A blade, flashing in the faint light, sliced through the air so close it grazed her sleeve. She stumbled back, eyes wide.
From the shadows, figures emerged—tall, armored, their faces obscured beneath hoods of deep midnight. They moved like predators, silent, deadly.
The Guardians.
Sophie shook as fear flooded her veins. Her mind screamed that she should run, but her feet felt frozen in place.
Sophie swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "What… what is happening to me?"