Caden Hart woke up with a shock, gasping for air. His chest was drenched with cold sweat as his mind struggled to separate reality from the haunting nightmare he just had.
The same twisted dream he kept having. He sat up slowly, rubbing his face with shaking hands. His head was pounding like someone was hammering nails into it.
The room was spinning for a second before it settled back into its usual mess, his clothes were scattered across the floor along with empty beer cans and papers.
Above him, the cracked ceiling seemed to remind him of his current circumstances.
He hated this place, but it was all he had. It was located in the worst place in the city but it kept him hidden. It kept him away from them.
Caden sat up on the bed, his bare feet touching the cold and dirty floor. He sat there, hunched forward, elbows on his knees trying to forget about the nightmare he just had.
The dream was always the same. Dark water drowning him, voices he couldn't understand echoing in his head.
But every time he woke up, the details of the dream slipped away before he could grab hold of it.
"You can't run from them forever" a voice said in his mind, sharp and mockingly. "You think hiding in this dump will save you? That's really pathetic".
Caden groaned, "Not now" he muttered, closing his eyes tight.
The voice was Ares, the loudest and most violent voice. He never stops talking.
"Are you scared?" Ares mocked. "You should be because The Circle is not done with you".
"Shut up" Caden yelled, but it was useless since Ares was a part of him, just like the others. They were always in there, whispering in the back of his mind. He couldn't get rid of them even though he tried to.
He stood up and went to the bathroom lazily. He turned on the tap, splashing cold water on his face. He looked at himself in the cracked mirror barely recognizing himself.
His skin looked pale and there were dark circles under his eyes. His unkempt hair fell into his face making him look broken, perhaps he was.
His phone rang, breaking the silence. He dried his face with a worn towel with no intention of picking the call but the continuous buzzing didn't stop, so he grabbed his phone and looked at the screen. "Of course it's Detective Cole," he muttered.
Caden picked the call while still half-asleep, "What?" he answered with a rough voice.
Detective Cole's voice was serious on the other end of the call. "There's been another one, the same mark as the others. Fifth and park street".
Caden's fingers clenched around his phone, he felt a cold knot formed in his stomach.
He knew what mark Cole was talking about. He'd seen it before, carved into flesh. The memories he was trying to bury surged back.
It was The Lunar Circle again.
"I'm on my way" he muttered, hanging up immediately.
He tossed the phone on the bed, his gaze dropping to the floor. He tried to calm his unsteady breathing. He thought he had left them, The Lunar Circle, behind years ago.
But they were back and this time they were sending a message making sure he knew it.
"Told you" Ares said mockingly, "They are coming for you, Hart. There is nowhere left for you to hide now".
Caden clenched his fist, trying to block out the voice. He grabbed his jacket and threw it on, with a panicking mind he stepped outside but he knew he needed to stay in control.
The rain hit him as soon as he stepped outside. His clothes were soaked almost instantly but he did not care.
Caden walked fast with his heads down and hands in his pocket, his thoughts were a tangled mess.
He kept walking with his heads down as he arrived at Fifth and Park, the place where it happened.
Yellow tapes were in sight, signifying that it's a crime scene and should be avoided. Caden ducked under the tape, greeting the officers present who recognized him immediately.
Detective Cole stood near the body with his hat and coat dripping, his face was grim.
As Caden approached, their eyes met and Cole's expression told him everything he needed to know.
"This is bad, it is the same as before," Cole said immediately.
Caden's gaze fell to the body covered in a blood-stained plastic. He moved closer, bending down to open the plastic covering the woman underneath.
Her name was Mara Daniels, her lifeless body was revealed, her chest was carved with the same crescent moon and sun symbol that haunted his nightmares.
The Lunar Circle's mark. It was a message, a warning.
Caden closed his eyes for a second, feeling a tight knot in his stomach. He knew Mara, she did not deserve this but the circle did not care about innocence or guilt.
The only thing that matters to them is their twisted message.
"This isn't random, they are making this personal," Cole said quietly.
Caden remained silent, he stood up with his fist clenched. Ares was roaring to be let out so he could solve the issue with violence but Caden was trying his best to hold him back.
"They are mocking you" Ares snarled. "You're too scared, too weak. Let me out and I will teach them a lesson".
"No," Caden muttered.
Cole looked at him but stayed silent, he knew better not to ask questions.
"We need to find them before they find me," Caden said weakly.
"They are already here," Cole said as he pulled out a cigarette in the rain. "They've been watching you, you know that right?"
Caden's jaw tightened but he did not say anything, he knew Cole was saying the truth.
The Circle was always watching, always waiting for him to make a mistake.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Cole asked.
"I will end it this time," Caden replied.
"Just don't let it be your funeral Hart" Cole said as he smoked his cigarette.
Caden turned and walked away into the pounding rain. The Lunar Circle had made their move, now it was his turn.