21
The first rays of dawn had begun to pierce the thick fog hovering over the city, casting a pale, ghostly glow over the streets. Elena, Adrian, and their ally moved silently through narrow alleys, the occasional flicker of streetlights providing shadows to hide their progress. The city seemed asleep, unaware of the storm quietly approaching its edges.
The faint sound of distant traffic and the drip of water from rooftops made every step feel louder in the quiet. Adrian's senses were on edge; every shadow seemed alive, every flicker of movement a potential threat. Mist rolled across the cobblestones, curling around drainpipes and pooling in puddles. Elena could feel the chill bite through her jacket, sending shivers down her spine. The ally moved ahead like a shadow, eyes scanning every corner, their breath quiet but controlled, a reminder that danger could be anywhere.
