THE BOY THEY'RE HUNTING
Elliana read the message at least ten times.
You shouldn't stare at fugitives like that.
Her heart hammered as she locked her phone and pressed it to her chest. She hadn't replied. She didn't know how. Or if she should.
The thought that he had noticed her—that he'd remembered her—felt unreal and terrifying all at once.
She told herself to forget it.
By morning, that promise was already broken.
At breakfast, her father barely touched his coffee. His radio crackled nonstop on the counter, low voices spilling out words Elliana pretended not to hear—suspect, location, Blakk.
"The department's on edge," he said suddenly. "Last night stirred things up."
Elliana looked up. "Because of the racers?"
"Because of him," her father corrected.
"Leon Blakk doesn't just race. He recruits. Corrupts. Turns chaos into a game."
Elliana stayed quiet.
"He's dangerous," he continued. "And I won't stop until he's behind bars."
Something in his voice made her chest tighten. This wasn't just a job. This was personal.
At school, the tension followed her like a shadow. Teachers whispered. Students stared. Elliana felt like the city was watching her, waiting for her to slip.
During last period, her phone vibrated again.
Unknown: Relax. I won't bite.
She glanced around the classroom, suddenly paranoid.
Elliana: How did you get my number?
Three dots appeared instantly.
Leon: I have my ways.
Her breath caught at the name.
Elliana: You shouldn't be texting me.
Leon: And yet you're still here.
She hated that he was right.
After school, she walked home instead of taking the bus, needing air—needing space to think. She didn't notice the black car parked across the street until its engine hummed softly.
Her steps slowed.
The driver's door opened.
Leon stepped out like he owned the moment—dark hoodie, calm expression, eyes locking onto hers as if the world had narrowed again, just like on the beach.
"You're braver than you look," he said.
Elliana swallowed. "You're reckless."
A smile tugged at his lips. "Depends who's watching."
"You shouldn't be here," she whispered. "My dad—"
"I know who your dad is," Leon interrupted, his tone unreadable. "That's why I came."
Her pulse spiked. "Why?"
"Because," he said, taking a careful step closer, "I don't run from things that matter."
For a second, Elliana forgot how to breathe.
Somewhere in the distance, sirens wailed—faint but real.
Leon glanced toward the sound, then back at her. "This is where I leave."
He turned, then paused. "But this isn't where this ends."
The car disappeared down the street moments later.
Elliana stood frozen, her heart pounding with fear, curiosity, and something far more dangerous.
Because the boy her father was hunting had just stepped into her life.
And she wasn't sure she wanted him to leave.