The smell of smoke lingered over the half-charred warehouse like a warning that wouldn't go away.
Firetrucks stood in the distance, their sirens fading as hoses dripped onto the cracked asphalt. Police cruisers lined the street, their lights blinking against the night sky. Officers in dark uniforms moved through the wreckage, flashlights cutting through the haze as they searched for evidence.
Inside the warehouse, the walls were blackened by soot. Broken crates and melted machinery lay scattered like debris from a battlefield. The air was thick, heavy with the acrid scent of burnt wood and chemicals.
Detective Ramirez crouched near the far wall, his flashlight beam sweeping over the bricks. He ran a gloved hand over the surface, pausing at a patch where the soot hadn't fully covered the wall. The bricks beneath were stained, cracked — but something caught his eye.
His flashlight lingered.
Letters scratched deep into the brickwork, partially burned but still unmistakable:
HARBINGER
The edges of the paint had blistered, some letters fading, but the word stood out starkly against the dark surface. Ramirez's eyes narrowed. He crouched closer, running his fingers over the jagged lines.
"Harbinger…" he muttered under his breath, his voice low.
For a moment, he hesitated — as if the word itself might shift or reveal something more sinister.
Another officer approached. "Find something?"
Ramirez didn't answer right away. He took out his phone, zooming in on the letters as if to capture the moment before the evidence could vanish.
Finally, he stood up, eyes fixed on the wall once more.
"Document it," he ordered quietly. "Whatever this is… it's not normal."
He shot one last glance at the burned warehouse, then signaled to the others.
As the camera of his phone froze on the half-burned word, the night swallowed the ruins once again.
6 months ago.
The city of Raven felt different that morning. The air itself seemed heavier, colder. Fear had seeped into every street, every home.
Inside a mid-tier family restaurant named Jass, the buzz of customers filled the air…
"A cheese pizza and French fries for table number 10," called out a young waiter, Ethan Drake.
"Here!" replied Jessica, the cook and daughter of the restaurant's owner, Mr. Jass.
Ethan picked up the order and carried it over to the table. A TV on the wall flickered with breaking news.
> "Yesterday, another dead body was found in the middle of the road. The deceased has been identified as a man in his early twenties who worked at a nearby convenience store. Rumors suggest that this may be the work of the underworld, but the motive remains unclear."
Customers in the restaurant exchanged uneasy glances. Their meals grew cold.
"Turn that damn thing off!" someone finally shouted in frustration.
"Every day now—someone else is killed. This city is falling apart!"
Others joined in.
"I can't even walk home from work without praying I'll make it back alive."
"Forget walking at night—I'm scared to go out in broad daylight."
"I just want to leave this city," one man muttered.
"Then why don't you?" his friend snapped.
"Because I've got a job, a family, a house—and moving is a nightmare, you idiot."
Behind the counter, the staff exchanged uneasy looks.
One whispered, "People are really on edge these days."
Another replied, "What do you expect? The city's a mess."
Someone asked, "Hey, Ed — walk me home tonight?"
Ed snorted. "I'm not into men."
"Who said I'm into you, asshole? I just don't wanna be tomorrow's headline."
"Then ask Ethan."
Ethan chuckled. " I Can't. Got plans tonight."
The guy groaned. "Unbelievable. People are scared shitless, and this guy's making plans."
Ethan was about to respond when Jessica cut in, "Ethan, table twelve!"
"On it!" he said, grabbing another tray and heading out.
---
Nightfall
The restaurant finally closed. Ethan removed his uniform and changed into his casual clothes.
"Mr. Jass, good night," Ethan said as he passed by the owner, who sat watching the same news channel.
"Good night, Ethan," Mr. Jass replied without looking away. "Be careful on the way."
"Good night, everyone," said Jessica, waving to the remaining staff.
The workers each said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. As Ethan walked down the dimly lit street, his phone buzzed.
> "Are you off work? Don't forget we're eating at Aaron's place tonight."
Ethan replied:
> "I'm coming."
He sighed. "Maybe I should take a shortcut," he muttered.
Turning down an alley, he froze at the sight of a group of men beating another guy, demanding money. Ethan quickly looked away and picked up his pace, trying to move past unnoticed.
Too late.
One of the thugs turned. "Hey! You! Stop right there!"
"I don't have any money," Ethan said quickly.
"Oh? Is That so?" the man grinned. "Alright. Go ahead."
Ethan took a few steps—then was grabbed from behind and slammed to the ground.
"You really thought I'd let you go?" the thug snarled, kicking him hard.
The others laughed, then turned back to the man they were mugging. "Now cough it up, or else—"
A sudden flash of blinding light.
Everyone flinched, covering their eyes.
When their vision returned, they were surrounded. Uniformed officers grabbed and restrained them, swiftly disarming their weapons.
Ethan looked up and saw one of the officers grabbing the thug by his hair.
"Aron…" Ethan gasped.
The thug was thrown to the ground, restrained by another officer.
As the gang members were taken into custody, one of them glared at Aron with burning rage.
Aron extended a hand to Ethan. "You alright?"
Ethan nodded weakly. "Thanks… but you here ?"
"Just passing by. Right place, right time."
---
Aaron's House
Ethan and Aron reached the house. The door swung open as Tina, their longtime friend, glared at them.
"You two! Do you know how—Ethan!? What happened to your face?!"
"I just tripped," Ethan said quickly, avoiding her gaze.
Tina sighed. "Get in here. Sit down. I'll get some bandages."
Aron headed to the kitchen. "I'll heat the food."
Ethan sat on the couch, wincing as Tina carefully cleaned and bandaged his wounds.
"Tell me the truth," she said softly. "You got jumped, didn't you?"
Ethan stayed quiet.
"Who was it?" Her eyes narrowed.
"The food's ready!" Aron called out.
Taking the chance, Ethan leapt up. "Coming!" he said and dashed into the kitchen.
Tina stared at his retreating figure, then shook her head and followed.
The three of them sat around the table, laughing and eating like old times.
"How's work at the cyber department?" Ethan asked Tina.
"Same as ever. Quiet."
Aron flicked on the TV while scrolling through channels. Before he could switch to a movie, the news anchor spoke again:
> "Another body was discovered this evening—this time a board member of Wills Corporation. Sources suggest it may be connected to the underworld. The body was found dumped in the middle of the road."
The room fell silent.
> "In recent months, Raven City has seen a terrifying spike in violence. Bodies discarded in public. The law is powerless. Citizens are suffocating under the weight of crime."
Aron turned off the TV, staring at his food. "It's gotten worse than ever."
Ethan spoke up. "Why isn't the police doing anything?"
Aron's voice was tired. "We can't move without orders from the commissioner. Our hands are tied."
Tina frowned. "What's wrong with the commissioner?"
"I don't know. He acts like he doesn't care. So do most of the higher-ups," Aron said bitterly.
Ethan leaned back. "That's why things are this bad."
Aron nodded. "The whole system is broken."
Tina gave him a look. "Don't blame yourself."
Ethan added, "Yeah, man. We know you're doing your best."
Aron smiled, his voice laced with both gratitude and frustration. "Thanks, guys… But if I had the power to fix this, I swear—I'd do whatever it takes to change things."
Ethan placed a piece of omelet on his plate. "Then start with this. You'll need your strength."
Aron laughed, the tension breaking, and the three friends returned to their warm banter—while outside, the city continued to rot in silence.
Chapter ends