Anahit and Demian moved swiftly through the maze of alleys and backstreets, their footsteps echoing against the walls as they navigated the urban labyrinth. Anahit glanced over her shoulder occasionally, checking for any signs of pursuit.
"Are they following us?" Demian asked, breathing heavily.
"Not yet, but they will be. We need to find a safe place to lay low," Anahit replied quickly, her eyes scanning their surroundings.
They turned a corner and ducked into a narrow alley, the sounds of the city fading into a muted backdrop. Anahit stopped, leaning against the wall to catch her breath.
"There's an old safehouse nearby. It's not much, but it'll buy us some time," she panted, looking at Demian seriously.
Demian nodded, his heart racing with adrenaline and fear.
"What now? How do they keep finding us?" he asked, voice filled with urgency.
"They've got resources, connections. We're not dealing with amateurs here," Anahit grimly explained, pushing off from the wall. She motioned for Demian to follow as they continued deeper into the alley network.
"We have to stay off the grid. No phones, no contact with anyone who might be tracked," Anahit emphasized.
"So we are alone," Demian stated with a mixture of resignation and concern.
"For now," Anahit confirmed with a nod.
EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
The abandoned warehouse stood silent and dark against the backdrop of the city skyline, its broken windows reflecting the moonlight in fractured patterns. Inside, Anahit and Demian cautiously made their way through the shadowed interior. Their footsteps echoed softly in the vast emptiness as they navigated towards a secluded corner where a makeshift campsite had been set up with blankets and supplies.
"It's not much, but it's safe. We can rest here for tonight," Anahit said softly, her tone comforting as Demian sank down heavily onto the blankets.
"What now? We can't just hide forever," Demian remarked tiredly, looking around the dimly lit space.
"No, we can't. We need information. We need to find out why they're after you, what they want," Anahit replied, rubbing her temples wearily. She sat across from him, her expression serious but determined.
"And we need to train. You need to learn how to control your abilities," Anahit continued, her gaze locking with Demian's.
"Train? You mean like... become some kind of superhero?" Demian asked skeptically, his brow furrowing.
Anahit smiled faintly. "More like survival skills. Knowing how to use your powers could mean the difference between life and death."
Demian nodded slowly, the weight of their situation settling in as he considered the implications of his newfound abilities.
"And you'll teach me?" Demian asked earnestly, searching Anahit's face for reassurance.
"As much as I can. I've been at this for a year now. I've learned a few things," Anahit replied sincerely, reaching into her bag and offering him a bottle of water.
"But first, you need to rest. You've had a rough day," she added quietly as Demian took the water gratefully.
"Thanks," Demian murmured, his voice filled with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - LATER THAT NIGHT
Demian lay awake on his makeshift bed, staring up at the rafters above him as he processed everything that had happened. The warehouse was eerily quiet except for the occasional rustling of wind through the broken windows.
"Catalyst... what does that even mean?" Demian whispered to himself, his thoughts swirling.
He sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to make sense of his new reality. The wind outside picked up, causing loose debris to rattle against the walls. Anahit entered the room quietly, her presence a comforting anchor in the darkness.
"Can't sleep?" she asked softly, her voice breaking the silence.
Demian looked up, a mix of emotions flickering across his face. "I keep thinking about what happened... on the rooftop."
Anahit sat down next to him, her expression thoughtful as she considered her response.
"It's different for everyone. Your abilities... they're a part of you. A manifestation of something deeper," Anahit explained gently, her eyes meeting Demian's with understanding.
"I've never felt anything like it before. Like I was connected to everything around me," Demian admitted, his voice tinged with wonder and confusion.
"That's the essence of being a Catalyst. We're connected to the world in ways most people can't imagine," Anahit said quietly, her tone filled with a mix of solemnity and reverence.
Demian searched her gaze, finding solace in her steady presence. "What about you, Anahit? How did you... discover your abilities?"
Anahit hesitated for a moment, her expression distant as she recalled a pivotal moment in her past.
"It was a year ago... just before graduation. I was walking home from school when it happened. A sudden rush of energy, like a storm inside me," she began, her voice soft yet tinged with the weight of memory.
"Did they... the mercenaries, did they find you too?" Demian asked, wide-eyed and filled with concern.
Anahit's jaw tightened slightly, her gaze hardening as she nodded slowly. "Yeah. They came for me, just like they came for you."
Demian looked down, the weight of their shared experiences settling heavily between them. "And now we're running. Hiding."
"For now. But we can't hide forever. We have to find out why they want us, what makes us different," Anahit affirmed, meeting Demian's gaze with unwavering resolve.
"And when they come back?" Demian pressed, his voice filled with determination and a touch of fear.
"Then we fight. We protect each other. We survive," Anahit declared, her tone firm and resolute.
They sat in silence for a moment, the warehouse filled with the quiet intensity of their shared resolve.
"Get some rest, Demian. Tomorrow, we start your training," Anahit said softly, a reassuring smile playing on her lips.
Demian nodded, lying back down on his makeshift bed as Anahit watched over him protectively.
"We'll figure this out. I promise," she whispered, her voice a gentle reassurance in the darkness.
Demian closed his eyes, the weight of exhaustion pulling him into a restless sleep as the wind outside continued to howl through the broken windows.
FADE OUT.
END OF CHAPTER 3