The stairwell felt colder as they climbed, every step resonating with tension so thick it was hard to breathe. Alex's grip on Maya's arm was firm, almost possessive, as if letting her go might unleash something he couldn't control. Kara followed close behind, her expression unreadable but her movements sharp and precise, like a predator ready to pounce.
The crash had come from the top floor—a space Maya had only been to once, long ago, when Alex had first shown her the building. It was unfinished, abandoned, with no tenants and no reason for anyone to be there.
"Alex, what's up there?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.
"Nothing," he said curtly, his eyes scanning the shadows above.
"Doesn't sound like nothing," Kara muttered, her tone laced with irritation.
Alex shot her a glare but didn't respond. Instead, he reached the final landing, his body taut as he pushed open the heavy metal door leading to the top floor. It groaned on its hinges, the sound echoing eerily in the vast, empty space beyond.
The floor was exactly as Maya remembered—dusty, dimly lit, and filled with half-finished walls and exposed beams. But now, something was different. A chill lingered in the air, unnatural and biting, making her skin crawl.
"What the hell is this?" Maya whispered, clutching Alex's arm as her eyes darted around the room.
Then she saw it—a broken window at the far end of the space, shards of glass scattered across the floor. The sight might not have been alarming if it weren't for the dark, wet streaks trailing away from it, leading into the shadows.
"Blood," Kara said flatly, crouching down to examine the trail.
Maya's stomach flipped. "Blood?" she repeated, her voice cracking.
"Stay behind me," Alex said sharply, moving forward.
Maya hesitated but obeyed, her heart racing as Alex and Kara advanced toward the streaks. The air grew heavier with every step, an almost oppressive energy pressing down on them.
"Someone was here," Kara murmured, her fingers brushing the edge of the blood trail. "But whoever it was, they're not human."
"Not now," Alex snapped, his voice low but laced with warning.
Kara straightened, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come on, Alex. You think you can keep playing house forever? She's already in this. She might as well know the truth."
"What truth?" Maya demanded, her voice louder than she intended.
Alex froze, turning to her with a look that was equal parts frustration and fear. "Maya—"
Before he could finish, a sudden, guttural growl erupted from the shadows. It wasn't human—it was deep, primal, sending a shiver down Maya's spine.
"What the hell was that?" she whispered, gripping Alex's arm tightly.
"Stay behind me," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kara reached for something at her side—Maya hadn't noticed the knife she carried until now, its blade gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"Looks like your problem's finally caught up with you," Kara said, a grim smile tugging at her lips.
The growl came again, closer this time, and Maya's breath hitched. Her eyes darted toward the darkness, trying to find the source of the sound.
Then, it emerged.
A figure stepped into the faint light, its movements slow and deliberate. It was a man—or at least, it looked like one. His clothes were torn and bloodied, his skin pale and stretched tight over his bones. But his eyes… they glowed with an unnatural amber light, piercing and predatory.
Maya's knees nearly buckled. "What is that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Trouble," Kara muttered, raising her knife.
"Don't," Alex said sharply, stepping between Kara and the man.
The creature's lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing teeth that were far too sharp. "Alex," it hissed, its voice rasping like nails on glass. "You've been busy."
Alex's entire body tensed, his fists clenching at his sides. "You shouldn't be here," he said coldly.
"Neither should you," the creature replied, taking a step closer. "But here we are. And I have a message for you."
"I don't need your messages," Alex growled.
The creature laughed, a sound that sent chills down Maya's spine. "Oh, but you do. Because if you don't deliver what you promised, she…" It turned its glowing eyes to Maya, and her blood ran cold. "…is going to pay the price."
Maya stumbled back, her heart hammering. "What is he talking about?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
"Don't listen to him," Alex said quickly, his eyes never leaving the creature.
"You didn't tell her, did you?" the creature said, its grin widening. "How charming. Still playing the noble protector, Alex? Or are you just afraid she'll run when she finds out what you've done?"
"Shut up," Alex snapped, his voice a dangerous growl.
But the creature ignored him, its gaze locked on Maya. "Did he tell you how many lives he's ruined? How many people have bled because of him? Or is he still feeding you the 'I'm just a nice guy with a dark past' routine?"
"Enough!" Alex roared, stepping forward.
The creature's smile vanished, replaced by a sneer. "You can't protect her forever, Alex. They'll come for her. And when they do…" It licked its lips, its eyes gleaming with malice. "…I'll be there to watch."
With that, it turned and bolted into the shadows, moving with an inhuman speed that left Maya's head spinning.
For a moment, the room was silent except for the sound of her ragged breathing.
"What the hell is going on?" she demanded, turning to Alex. "Who was that? What did he mean?"
Alex ran a hand through his hair, his shoulders sagging. "Maya, I can explain—"
"No!" she snapped, her voice rising. "No more half-truths, no more lies. I want the truth. All of it. Now."
Alex met her gaze, his eyes filled with guilt and something deeper—something that made her stomach twist.
"The truth," he said quietly, "is that I made a deal. And you… you're part of the price."
Maya's breath caught, her world tilting on its axis. "What?"
But before he could answer, Kara stepped forward, her knife still in hand. "You wanted the truth?" she said, her voice cold. "Then you'd better brace yourself, sweetheart. Because you're in a hell of a lot more danger than you realize."