Ren wakes up when the sun is already up in the sky. It's already about noon. The alarm's been ringing for a while, an annoying buzz that he lets continue until it finally gives up. He lies there, staring at the ceiling, feeling the stiffness in his body. Normally, this would have made him panic—waking up late for work would send him into a spiral of anxiety. But today, he feels different.
He is different.
The Incubi outfit he made lies folded neatly on the bed, a reminder of what he's really excited about. Work feels like a distant chore now, a thing to be done just to pass the time. What is exciting him is the power he's been practicing and the anticipation of what's gonna happen tonight.
He stretches lazily and finally pulls himself out of bed. Even though it's already noon, but he isn't in a hurry. What's the worst that could happen? Eva will yell at him again? That's nothing compared to what Incubi will do tonight.
After a quick shower and throwing on his clothes, Ren leaves his apartment, locking the door behind him. His steps are slow, almost casual as if the world around him has lost its weight. His mind isn't here—it's on Incubu.
Soon he arrives at the diner. He steps through the door, the familiar scent of fried food and grease filling the air. The moment he steps inside, he can feel her gaze on him—Eva's eyes, sharp and burning with anger.
"Ren!" she snaps, marching toward him with all the fury of a woman who's had enough. "You're late again! Do you not want to work here anymore? Do you even care?"
He barely reacts. Her voice seems distant, muffled by the thrill building inside him for tonight. "Sorry, it won't happen again," he mumbles, not bothering to meet her eyes.
Eva's face contorts with fury. His calm, unresponsive behavior makes her blood boil. "This is your last warning!" she shouts, her voice rising above the clatter of kitchen sounds. Other employees are watching now, snickering quietly as they pretend to work. "Next time you're late, don't bother showing up again, understand?"
Ren finally meets her gaze, his face blank, but a storm is brewing beneath the surface. He doesn't care about her threats anymore. "I understand," he says, the words robotic.
Eva huffs, clearly dissatisfied with his lack of reaction, but waves him off. "Good. Now get to work. Move the boxes to the back."
As Ren moves the boxes to the storage room in the back, he catches a glimpse of Nathan, laughing in the kitchen. Nathan smirks at him, clearly amused by Ren's public scolding. Ren also smirks back at him, thinking about tonight, but he doesn't let it show. Not yet.
After he is done with that, Eva calls him for a delivery, sending him the address. Ren barely listens as she explains the details—his mind is still on tonight. He grabs the bag and heads out, his thoughts drifting to the plans forming in his head.
The delivery route is the same. He arrives and knocks on the door. After moments, it swings open to reveal a stunningly beautiful woman. She's gorgeous, with long legs and a confident smile. Ren's body reacts instinctively, a brief surge of lust as he feels himself harden slightly. A boner, nothing more, but enough to distract him for a second.
"Thanks," she says, flashing a smile that makes his heart beat a little faster.
Ren nods, barely able to muster a word, but keeps his cool. She might be a target someday, he thinks, but not today. Tonight belongs to Nathan, and him only.
After collecting the payment, he heads back, but instead of going straight to the restaurant, he makes a detour to his apartment. He grabs his mask and coat, folding them neatly into a small bag before returning to finish his shift.
The rest of the day is a blur. He makes more deliveries and moves boxes, and other employees stay away from him. His thoughts are laser-focused on tonight. Nathan's smug face, the way he laughs with everyone like he owns the place like he's untouchable—it gnaws at Ren.
Soon, it's time to leave and the diner is about to close. Ren quickly finishes his final task. Nathan is in the kitchen, chatting with the other employees, completely oblivious to what's coming.
Ren quickly takes his bag and exits the diner. He heads to the dark alley that's in front of the diner, just across the street. He steps into the darkness of the alley, and his heart starts racing. This is it. He chains his bicycle to a nearby stand and takes the small bag and slips on his outfit, except mask and coat.
He stands at the entrance of the alley. From his vantage point, he can see the diner's entrance. He stands there, watching in silence, hidden behind a dumpster. His fingers are twitching with anticipation.
He practices telekinesis as he waits, watching small objects—stones, bits of trash—float into the air with just a flick of his fingers. His control is better now, more precise. His telekinesis feels stronger, more natural.
He waits in the shadows, his breath steady, his heart pounding with excitement.
About ten minutes later, the door of the diner opens, and employees start to leave one by one. Ren watches from his spot in the alley, his eyes glued to the entrance, his fingers itching with anticipation.
Then, Nathan walks out with Eva, the two of them laughing together. Ren's blood boils as he watches them. Nathan says something that makes Eva smile, and then he leans in for a hug. Eva doesn't push him away—she hugs him back, even lingering for a moment.
It's his second day at work and Eva is already hugging him.
Ren's teeth grit with rage. His fists clench, and for a moment, he considers attacking Nathan right there, but he waits. Incubi isn't a thug. This needs to be done right.
As he watches them, enraged, a slight red flashes in his eyes. Ren doesn't notice anything.
Eva says goodbye, heading in the opposite direction, leaving Nathan alone. Nathan strolls down the quiet street, opposite to hers, completely unaware of the danger lurking just behind him.
Ren's grip tightens as he exits the alley and walks behind him silently, his footsteps light, keeping a few paces behind. The streets are mostly empty, just a few people here and there, none of them paying attention to them. There's no one behind him—nothing to stop what's about to happen.
Ren keeps following him, waiting for a moment to strike. Then, Ren sees a dark alleyway ahead and feels his heart speed up. This is it. The moment.
Just as Nathan steps before the alley, Ren points his hand to Nathan. With a simple flick of his hand, Nathan suddenly stumbles sideways into the alley, as if someone pushed him, his body colliding with the brick wall. Nathan's hands whips down, trying to stop himself from falling.
Nathan whips his head around in confusion.
"What the hell?" Nathan's voice trembles slightly.
Ren speeds up his pace, stepping into the alley, his heart pounding in his ears. Without a word, he gestures with his hand, lifting Nathan into the air and making him float just above the ground. Nathan's eyes widen in horror as his body is pushed forward, deeper into the alley, where the streetlights barely reach.
Nathan struggles to move, but it's useless— his body is frozen, completely at Ren's mercy. Ren doesn't say a word. He reaches into his bag, pulling out the mask and the coat.
With deliberate movements, Ren dons the mask. The black fabric clings to his face, his identity completely hidden now. He pulls on the coat, feeling the weight of it settle on his shoulders.
Now, Incubi stands behind Nathan. Nathan is in the air, slightly above the ground, his head down.
Nathan's voice is frantic, fear creeping into his tone as he feels someone standing behind him. "Wh, who are you? Who's there?"
Ren steps forward, his footsteps echoing in the silent night. Nathan tries to turn, but his body is frozen, immobilized by Ren.
Ren steps beside Nathan, his dark shadow merging with the gloom of the alley. The shadow of Incubi looms beside him, ominous and terrifying.
Nathan's voice is a weak whisper now, trembling in the darkness. "What's happening? Who are you?"
Ren stands there, silent, his shadow growing larger, more menacing as it envelops Nathan's trembling form.