Neetah walked through the city streets, the midday sun doing nothing to lift the heaviness in her chest. The market was alive with people shouting, laughing, and bargaining, but to her, it all felt distant—like she was moving through a world that existed separately from her own.
Her phone buzzed. Madison's name flashed.
Meet me at the bridge. Now.
Neetah didn't hesitate. She moved faster, weaving through the crowds, heart pounding—not from fear, but from the sense that the city was starting to close in.
When she reached the bridge, Madison was already there, pacing. Her expression was tight.
"They've been asking about you again," Madison said without preamble. "Not Rafe this time. Other people. People connected to… everything you're trying to escape."
Neetah leaned against the rail, breathing in the hot, dusty air. "So what now?"
Madison's lips pressed together. "Now… you keep moving. You keep choosing yourself. But every step has a price. It's not just about avoiding danger—it's about surviving the consequences of doing what's right."
Neetah closed her eyes. The weight of her decisions pressed on her like the city itself was leaning down to watch. She remembered the empty streets at night, the suspicious glances, the lost job, the whispers following her.
A sudden shout from a nearby street made her start. She opened her eyes to see a man running after a small child, the crowd cheering him on. The ordinary chaos of the city—the moments people ignored or laughed at—felt sharp in her chest. Life moved, even when it was unfair. Even when it hurt.
Neetah took a deep breath, feeling the heat of the sun and the hum of the city in her bones. Fear was still there, yes—but beneath it, something else was stirring: awareness, clarity, resolve.
She turned to Madison. "I'm tired of hiding. I'm tired of being watched. I want to live… on my terms."
Madison smiled faintly, her eyes full of both worry and pride. "Then you'll have to be smart. The city doesn't forgive mistakes, Neetah. But it rewards those who understand its rhythm."
Neetah let that sink in. The sun reflected off the river beneath the bridge, shimmering like it was trying to show her something she couldn't yet name. Maybe hope. Maybe strength. Maybe just survival.
She pushed herself off the railing, standing taller despite the exhaustion. The shadows in the city were still there—they would always be there. But today, for the first time in weeks, she felt like she could face them.
Not unafraid. Not unbroken. But unbending.
And that mattered.