Paritraan: (whispering) "Hey, Anahata. Looks like we've got a new recruit."
Anahata: (dramatic) "Finally! Someone more evolved than you."
Paritraan: (grumbling) "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."
The stray dog trotted along beside us, tail wagging in the moonlight. It wasn't the first time an animal had joined our midnight escapades, but I wasn't sure if it was for the company or just a case of bad judgment.
Paritraan: (muttering) "I don't know whether to pet him or make sure he's not some supernatural creature in disguise."
Anahata: (sarcastic) "Oh, sure. A dog. Next, you're going to tell me he's secretly an interdimensional being in disguise."
Paritraan: (nodding) "Could be. You never know around here."
As we made our way through the alleyways, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was... off. Maybe it was the dog's unblinking stare, or maybe it was just the usual paranoia that came with my job. Either way, we couldn't afford to let our guard down.
Paritraan: (sighing) "I'm getting too old for this. My back hurts, my stomach's growling louder than my self-esteem, and all I want is a decent meal and a solid nap."
Anahata: (teasing) "You say that every night, but look at you—still running around like a headless chicken. You should take it easy, Paritraan."
Paritraan: "Taking it easy is overrated. Plus, someone's got to save this city... even if it's me."
The dog suddenly barked, cutting me off mid-sentence. It was a short, sharp bark, like it was trying to tell us something.
Paritraan: (startled) "What the—"
Before I could react, the ground beneath us trembled lightly. A distant rumble echoed through the streets, followed by the unmistakable sound of something large moving.
Anahata: (concerned) "That doesn't sound good. Do you feel that?"
Paritraan: (gritting teeth) "Yeah, and it feels like whatever's coming is about to ruin my already terrible night."
I could hear the sound of metal scraping against metal, distant and growing louder. Something was coming. And judging by the way the dog was standing still, staring in the direction of the noise, it seemed like it knew exactly what was heading our way.
Paritraan: (readying himself) "Alright, Anahata. We've got a situation. I could really use some help here."
Anahata: (mocking) "Of course you could. What else is new? Let's get to work then."
I motioned for the dog to stay quiet. Moving silently, I approached the source of the sound. I crouched behind a dumpster, peering out into the shadows.
What I saw made my blood run cold.
A group of men—too many for me to count—were unloading something from a van. They spoke in hushed voices, glancing around nervously. I saw bags, but I couldn't make out what was inside.
But then… my hand brushed against my chest as Anahata scanned the contents of the bags. The data came through in a blur, and as the message registered, I felt my chest tighten.
Anahata: "Human organs. Illegal trade. It's all here."
The anger hit me like a freight train. I could feel my fists tightening, my body coiling with rage. This wasn't just some petty crime ring. These men were playing with lives, ripping them apart for profit. The same lives I had sworn to protect. The same lives that had been slipping away in the shadows.
I stepped forward without thinking. I couldn't let this go. I couldn't let this pass.
Paritraan: (voice trembling with anger) "You—"
The anger boiled up inside me—fueled by the anger I had been carrying for too long. The people who had fallen through the cracks. The ones no one cared about. The ones who disappeared. I couldn't let it happen to anyone else.
Those men didn't respond. Instead, they turned, reaching for their weapons. A gunshot rang out, narrowly missing me. I didn't hesitate. I moved in, fighting through the rage, through the red haze of anger.
One by one, I took them down—fast, efficient. They weren't ready for a fight like this. But even as I knocked them out cold, I could feel their presence lingering. I knew it wasn't over yet.
Breathing heavily, I pulled out my phone, quickly tapping through the untraceable tech Anahata had set up for me. I called the police, sending them the details, making sure these monsters would be taken down for good.
Paritraan: (into phone) "They've been trafficking organs. I've dealt with them. Get here now."
Just as I was about to hang up, I heard it—a faint rustling from the shadows. I spun around, ready for anything. But there was nothing.
Or so I thought.
I clenched my fist, ready to move in. The usual swift strikes, the quiet takedown. But as I crept closer, a presence loomed behind me.
Footsteps. Barely audible. But they were there.
I spun around, my senses on high alert. Through the darkness, two men slowly emerged. They weren't just walking. They floated—like they were pushing through the air itself, their forms shifting and warping, flickering in and out of sight. My eyes widened.
Paritraan: (whispering) "Invisibility. But… why can I still hear them?"
Before I could react, I heard a voice—a low, urgent whisper.
Dog: (softly) "Run."