Rain hammered against the glass towers as the city glowed in neon colors beneath the night sky. Arin's boots slammed against the rooftop floor as he sprinted forward, his breath sharp and uneven. The wind howled past his ears, carrying the distant sound of sirens and the closer, more dangerous rhythm of footsteps chasing him.
He didn't dare look back.
A gap between buildings appeared ahead — wide, dark, and unforgiving. Cars moved like tiny sparks of light far below. One mistake and the fall would be endless. Arin tightened his jaw, pushing every ounce of strength into his legs. The edge rushed toward him. For a split second, fear tried to freeze him.
He jumped.
The world fell silent mid-air. His hands slammed onto the opposite ledge, fingers slipping on wet concrete. Muscles burned as he pulled himself up, rainwater dripping from his sleeves. The moment he rolled onto the rooftop, a shadow leapt across the gap behind him with impossible precision.
The pursuer landed softly, almost effortlessly.
"Stop running," the stranger's voice cut through the rain, calm but cold.
Arin let out a shaky laugh. "You first."
He reached into his pocket and tossed a small metal sphere onto the ground. A blinding flash exploded across the rooftop. The stranger staggered back, covering his eyes. Arin dashed toward the stairwell door — locked. Of course it was locked.
A gunshot cracked through the air. Sparks burst from a metal pipe inches from his head. His heart pounded louder than the storm. He scanned the rooftop — antennas, wires, a maintenance ladder hanging over the edge.
No time to think.
He grabbed the ladder and swung himself over the side of the building. Wind roared upward as he slid down two floors, boots scraping metal. Another shot rang out from above. The stranger was relentless.
An open office window rushed toward him. Arin kicked off the ladder and crashed through the glass, rolling across a desk and scattering papers everywhere. Red emergency lights flickered on. Alarms screamed through the building.
He stood, chest heaving, rainwater dripping onto the tiles. Across the broken window, the stranger's silhouette appeared, watching silently. Their eyes met for a single, electric second.
Arin tightened his gloves and turned toward the corridor.
This wasn't over.
It was only the beginning.