The night was unusually silent, the air heavy with tension as Wei and Mei made their way through the winding alleys. The flickering lanterns above cast elongated shadows across the cobblestones, mimicking the darkness they had just escaped. Wei felt the weight of the wooden box under his arm, the cryptic note hidden safely inside.
Mei's hand was still clasped tightly in his, her fingers trembling against his own. She hadn't said a word since they'd left Ming's shop. Wei slowed his pace and turned to her, catching her pale face in the dim light.
"Mei," he said gently, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "We're safe now."
She looked up at him, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she quickly blinked them away. "Safe? We're running from Kai, Wei. And we don't even know who else we can trust anymore."
