Rain glazed the streets like wet asphalt mirrors, neon fractured into jagged streaks across puddles and cracked sidewalks. Every corner seemed to twitch, every reflection a potential eye.
Click… drip… shuffle…
I moved slower than usual, boots scraping lightly against uneven concrete. Whispers curled from the alleyways, snippets of conversation carried on the wind:
"That's him… the one who made it out."
"Lucky, or dumb? Hard to tell."
"Better watch yourself if you see him."
I muttered under my breath, teeth pressed together around the words. "Fantastic. Apparently, I've graduated from mystery man to public spectacle. Fame, but make it dangerous."
A paper bag skittered across the sidewalk as the wind caught it, clattering against a trash can. My eyes flicked to a symbol etched faintly on a brick a small emblem, orange against darkened mortar. Familiar. Not random.
Click… drip… hum…
I noted movement from the corner of my eye, subtle, almost hesitant. Someone was watching, maybe following. Rook? Or another shadow entirely? My gut said both possibilities were bad.
Passing a diner, I caught snippets of chatter inside. Eyes followed me through rain-streaked glass, hushed tones behind cups of coffee. Everyone seemed to have an opinion: some impressed, some wary. And me? Sarcastic as ever.
"Ah, joy," I muttered. "My legend grows. Street cred measured in near-death experiences. Couldn't have asked for a better résumé."
Click… scrape… tap…
The emblem on the wall caught my attention again, glowing faintly under the neon wash. Whoever left it had been meticulous, deliberate, leaving breadcrumbs for a reason. And now, everyone in this little urban theater seemed to know I'd noticed.
I ducked into a narrower alley, boots splashing through puddles, letting the whispers fade behind me. Still, the feeling of eyes persisted. Somewhere out there, the Syndicate or someone was tallying my movements. And maybe, just maybe, they were enjoying the show as much as I was.
Drip… shuffle… hum…
I allowed a dry laugh to escape, bitter and amused. "Perfect. Reputation spreads faster than my luck, and apparently luck's on vacation. Wonderful."
A shadow shifted at the far end of the alley. I froze, heart ticking, and muttered under my breath:
"Bring it on."
And with that, I melted into the wet neon night, knowing that my name my chaos was now out in the open.