The night was cool, and the group's nerves were still on edge after their narrow escape from the Shadow Syndicate. As they made their way toward a distant village, they found themselves deep in conversation, reflecting on the events that had brought them this far.
But something lingered in Alex's mind—Rose. Who was she, really? Her sudden appearance and disappearance left more questions than answers. It wasn't long before they reached the outskirts of the village, and that's when a man stepped from the shadows. His presence was unsettling, yet familiar, as though he had been watching them all along.
Alex, ever the curious leader, stepped forward. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice steady despite the unease settling in his chest.
The man smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "I know you've been asking questions about Rose. If you want answers, I'll give them to you—but not here. It's not safe."
Without hesitation, Alex agreed, and the group followed the man as he led them to a small, weathered shack on the outskirts of the village. The wooden structure looked like it had been forgotten by time, but for now, it would serve as a sanctuary from prying eyes.
Inside, the shack was sparsely furnished, with nothing but a single wooden table and a few creaky chairs. They sat down, the air thick with anticipation.
Alex leaned forward. "You said once we were somewhere safe, you'd tell me who Rose is. Now we're here. Talk."
The man scratched his head as if trying to pull his thoughts together. "Ah, yes... Rose. It's been a long time since anyone's asked me about her." He paused, looking deep into the past. "I've forgotten a few details over the years, but I remember the important parts."
Ethan rolled his eyes, speaking silently in his mind, I can't believe Alex is really going to listen to this stubborn old geezer.
The man's expression darkened, his voice lowering to almost a whisper. "Alright, I'll tell you everything... but this isn't a story you'll want to hear."
Alex leaned in closer, his heart racing with curiosity and fear of what might come next.