Mr Erik

Episode 9 The Watchers

The morning air felt colder than before.

Kai stepped onto the quiet street, scanning the rooftops instinctively. He wasn't used to feeling paranoid, but the night had changed everything. Every shadow felt suspicious now.

Mira walked beside him, hands in her pockets, eyes constantly moving.

"You’re tense," she said.

"I’m being hunted," Kai replied.

"Fair point."

Ren slowed slightly, his gaze fixed ahead.

"We’re not alone."

Kai felt his stomach drop.

"Again?"

Ren gave a subtle nod toward a rooftop across the street.

Kai followed his gaze carefully.

A figure stood there, motionless. Cloaked. Watching.

Kai exhaled quietly. "I’m really starting to hate that."

Mira’s expression hardened. "That’s not a hunter."

"How can you tell?" Kai asked.

"They don’t stand still like that," she replied.

Ren kept walking, not breaking pace.

"Keep moving."

Kai forced himself forward, resisting the urge to look back. The pendant warmed faintly against his chest, as if reacting to the presence.

They turned down another street.

When Kai glanced back again, the figure was gone.

"Still there?" he asked quietly.

Mira shook her head. "No."

Ren frowned slightly. "That’s worse."

Kai sighed.

"I miss normal problems."

They continued through the quiet district until they reached a narrow intersection.

That’s when Mira stopped suddenly.

"Wait."

Kai froze. "What?"

Mira pointed toward the ground.

Fresh footprints.

Several.

Ren’s expression darkened.

"They're ahead of us."

Kai swallowed.

"So… we’re walking into something?"

Ren nodded.

"Looks like it."

Kai tightened his jacket slightly.

"Fantastic."