Chapter 40: The Mystery Deepens
The marketplace was alive with chatter, the air thick with the aroma of grilled food and freshly baked bread. People moved in a steady flow, haggling over trinkets, records, and vintage clothing. It was the perfect place to blend in, but Adam couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Henry, still catching his breath, glanced at Adam. "So, what now, genius? We can't just hang around here forever."
Adam's phone buzzed softly in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the screen.
"What's at Stall 23?" Adam muttered to himself.
Henry leaned closer, frowning. "Is your phone telling you something again?"
"Yeah. It's saying we should check out a stall nearby."
"Because that worked out so well for us last time," Henry said dryly.
Adam ignored him and scanned the stalls until he spotted a faded wooden sign with the number 23 painted on it. It was run by an older man wearing a flat cap, his wares a haphazard collection of antique watches, old cameras, and other odds and ends.
"Stay here," Adam said, shoving his phone into his pocket.
"Oh, sure. I'll just wait here while you do something reckless," Henry replied.
As Adam approached the stall, the man behind it gave him a toothy smile. "Looking for something special, son?"
"Just browsing," Adam said casually, his eyes roving over the items.
Most of the merchandise looked like junk, but his attention was drawn to a small, intricately carved box tucked in the corner of the table. It seemed out of place, its craftsmanship far superior to anything else on display.
"How much for the box?" Adam asked.
The man's smile faded slightly. "Ah, that's not for sale. Just a decoration."
"Everything's for sale, isn't it?" Adam pressed.
The man leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Not this. Trust me, kid, you don't want to mess with that."
Adam's phone buzzed again.
"I'll pay you double your best offer," Adam said, pulling out his wallet.
The man hesitated, his gaze flickering toward the box. Finally, he sighed and slid it across the table. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
Adam returned to where Henry was waiting, the box tucked under his arm.
"Please tell me you didn't just buy a cursed object," Henry said.
Adam opened the box to reveal a small, metallic device nestled inside. It looked like a cross between a compass and a pocket watch, its surface engraved with strange symbols.
"What is that?" Henry asked, peering over Adam's shoulder.
"No idea," Adam admitted.
"Well, that clears things up," Henry said sarcastically.
"Let's get out of here," Adam said, closing the box.
As they left the marketplace, Adam felt a growing unease. The streets seemed quieter than usual, the shadows stretching long in the late afternoon light.
Henry stopped suddenly, his expression grim. "Adam, we've got company."
Adam turned to see the two men from earlier stepping out of a black sedan parked nearby. Their suits were immaculate despite the chaos of the rooftop chase, and their eyes locked onto Adam with unsettling precision.
"We need to split up," Adam said quickly.
"What? No way!" Henry protested.
"They're after me, not you. I'll lead them away."
"Like hell you will," Henry said, grabbing Adam's arm. "We stick together."
The men began walking toward them, their movements calm but purposeful. Adam's phone buzzed urgently.
"Factory. West. Let's move," Adam said, pulling Henry along.
They weaved through alleyways and backstreets, the sound of footsteps behind them growing fainter. The factory loomed ahead, its windows shattered and its walls covered in graffiti.
"This place looks charming," Henry muttered as they slipped inside.
The interior was dark and cavernous, the air heavy with the scent of rust and decay. Broken machinery and piles of debris littered the floor, creating plenty of hiding spots.
"Let's find some cover," Adam whispered.
They crouched behind an old conveyor belt, their breaths shallow as they listened for any signs of pursuit.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Just when Adam thought they might be safe, a faint hum filled the air. He peeked over the edge of the conveyor belt and saw the two men entering the factory, their energy weapons glowing faintly.
"Great," Henry muttered. "What now?"
Adam checked his phone.
"Neither of those sound great," Adam whispered.
Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. "How about this for a distraction?"
Before Adam could protest, Henry threw the coins across the factory floor. They clattered noisily, echoing through the empty space.
The men immediately turned toward the sound, their weapons raised.
"Run!" Adam hissed, grabbing Henry's arm.
They bolted for the far side of the factory, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of dust on the floor. Adam's phone buzzed again.
They burst through the door and into the fading sunlight, their lungs burning from exertion. Behind them, the hum of the energy weapons grew fainter.
For now, they were safe—but Adam knew it was only a matter of time before the men found them again.
End of Chapter 40