They didn't even make it three blocks before it happened.
As Elias, Sophia, and Callum weaved through the crowd, a paper boy bumped into Elias, nearly knocking him over.
Before he could react, the boy shoved a folded piece of paper into Elias' pocket and vanished into the bustling market.
Elias froze.
Sophia noticed immediately.
"What's that?"
He pulled out the note. Simple handwriting, sharp and neat:
> "We can make this easy. Meet alone at 12:30 PM. No tricks. Selene."
Beneath it: an address — the rooftop of the old Arcadia Mall.
Callum looked over his shoulder and blanched.
"That's a deathtrap."
Sophia crossed her arms, her brown eyes narrowing.
"Could be a setup. Could be a way out."
Elias said nothing.
His mind raced.
The watch buzzed faintly but gave no task this time.
This decision was his.
--
At 12:15 PM, after much heated debate, Elias made his choice.
"I'll go," he said.
"Alone."
Sophia's mouth opened in protest, but he raised a hand.
"I can't drag you both into another bloodbath. Stay hidden. Watch from afar. If it goes bad..." He didn't finish.
Sophia shoved a tiny comm device into his hand.
"At least stay on the line."
Callum hesitated, then gave Elias a half-hearted thumbs-up.
"Try not to get... you know, kidnapped, murdered, tortured."
Elias managed a thin smile.
"No promises."
---
The Arcadia Mall rooftop was eerily empty.
Old rusted vents groaned in the breeze.
The city skyline stretched endlessly beyond.
Standing near the ledge, arms crossed, was Selene Voss.
Up close, she was even more intimidating.
Cold beauty, sharp posture — a woman who had seen war and come out sharper.
Elias approached cautiously.
"You're braver than I thought," she said, her voice smooth like silk over steel.
"You're more punctual than I expected," Elias shot back.
A ghost of a smile touched her lips.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Selene said:
"I don't care about your politics. I don't care who you stole from. I care about results."
She took a slow step closer.
"You've got something... unique. Skills that someone clearly invested in."
Elias stiffened.
Selene's blue eyes pierced into his.
"Work for me," she said.
"I'll erase your bounty. Wipe your slate clean. You'll live like a king — or at least a very rich ghost."
Elias blinked, genuinely stunned.
Selene continued:
"Refuse... and I'll drag you back myself. Broken, if necessary."
---
In his earpiece, Sophia whispered urgently.
"Don't trust her! She's manipulating you!"
Callum added, "Just throw her off the building!"
Elias exhaled slowly.
He weighed everything.
His freedom. His friends. His principles.
The watch on his wrist buzzed faintly, but again, no instructions.
My choice alone.
---
Elias Riven (update):
Age: 22
Profession: Fugitive / Hidden Asset
Skills: High IQ, medicine knowledge, physical strength, charm, driving ability, strategic thinking (watch enhanced).
Personality: Loyal, determined, evolving into a leader.
Appearance: Slightly tanned skin, lean but muscular build (5'11"), intense hazel eyes, messy dark hair, casual streetwear with a tactical edge.
Sophia Lane:
Age: 21
Profession: Hacker / Technician
Skills: Tech manipulation, languages, sharpshooting.
Personality: Fierce, sarcastic, compassionate under armor.
Appearance: Olive skin, athletic petite frame (5'4"), shoulder-length wavy brown hair, dark brown eyes.
Callum Brooks:
Age: 23
Profession: Former college dropout / Mechanic
Skills: Engineering, explosives, survival knowledge.
Personality: Clumsy, optimistic, loyal to the end.
Appearance: Pale skin, stocky build (5'9"), messy blond hair, green eyes, always slightly scruffy.
---