Chapter 2: Shadows at Dusk
The air had gone eerily still, as if the village itself was holding its breath. Kyle stood at the edge of the square, eyes fixed on the figures emerging from the outskirts. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving a cold, pale light that only deepened the unsettling atmosphere.
Luna's grip tightened on his arm. Her touch was warm, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. She wasn't the only one who felt it—the whole village seemed to be on edge, the usual sounds of life quieted by a creeping sense of danger.
"They're coming here," Theo whispered, stepping next to them, his usual cocky demeanor replaced with an unease Kyle hadn't seen before. "I've seen men like them before. We're not safe."
Kyle didn't answer, his mind already turning over the possibilities. He had seen the rumors, heard the whispers of travelers speaking about groups of men that moved from village to village. They weren't friendly.
The first figure appeared at the edge of the village square. The others followed in their wake, moving like shadows—silent, menacing. They wore hoods that obscured their faces, but their presence was unmistakable. Kyle felt the weight of their gaze even from this distance.
The villagers, gathered in clusters, exchanged nervous glances. They were waiting for someone to speak, but the air was thick with silence.
One of the villagers, an older man with a graying beard, took a step forward. His voice trembled, but his words were firm. "What do you want with us?"
The lead figure didn't speak right away. Instead, he studied the village, his eyes cold and calculating. There was no warmth, no empathy in his gaze. Only hunger.
"We've come to collect," the man said at last, his voice low but sharp. "You've been chosen."
A murmur swept through the crowd, people shifting uncomfortably. Kyle tensed. They were too close to the village. Too close to the orphanage. If these men wanted something from the villagers, they would not hesitate to take it.
Another villager, a woman this time, stepped forward, her face pale with fear but defiant. "Chosen for what?" Her voice shook, but she stood tall, refusing to cower before them.
The figure's eyes flickered toward her, then turned back to the group. "Chosen to work. To serve. Your village has been selected for labor. You will come with us. There is no choice."
A cold wave of dread spread through the gathered villagers. The thought of leaving their homes, of being dragged away into the unknown, hung over them like a death sentence. Kyle could feel the tension building, thick and suffocating.
"Who are you?" another voice called out from the back of the crowd. "Why should we listen to you?"
The man's lips curled into a thin smile, but there was no humor in it. "Because you have no choice. Resistance will be met with… consequences."
The words hung heavy in the air, and Kyle's heart began to race. He could see the fear in the villagers' eyes—fear of the unknown, fear of what these men would do if they didn't comply. He didn't need to be told to know that this wasn't just about power—it was about control, about breaking people until they bent to their will.
Luna tugged at his sleeve, her voice barely a whisper. "Kyle… we need to do something."
Kyle looked down at her, his expression hardening. He wouldn't let them take anyone. Not his family, not his friends. Not the people he'd grown up with.
Before he could form a plan, the leader of the group took another step forward, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the square.
"Make no mistake," he said, his voice carrying across the crowd, "those who do not come willingly will be forced. The rest will fall in line."
He turned to the others in his group, nodding once. Without a word, the men spread out, their hands resting on the hilt of their weapons, their eyes scanning the villagers with cold precision. It was clear—they were here to take, and anyone who resisted would pay the price.
"Please," the old man from earlier said, his voice breaking. "We have children here. What do you want with them?"
The leader's gaze flicked toward the orphanage, then back to the crowd. "They are no different. We take what we need. And we will have what we want."
The tension was unbearable. Kyle could see the fear in everyone's eyes—fear of the unknown, fear of what these men might do next. His hand instinctively reached for the knife at his belt, but he knew it wouldn't be enough. These men weren't here for a simple confrontation. They were here to break the village, to drag it into the darkness with them.
A decision had to be made—and soon. The men were patient, but Kyle knew that time wasn't on their side.
Luna's hand tightened on his sleeve again, and Kyle forced himself to meet her eyes. He would do whatever it took to protect her. Kyle realised fighting them would endanger Luna so he stayed down. Luna was his world. Even if it meant death, Kyle would save Luna.
Suddenly Someone came out of the orphanage. It was...