The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black card, holding it between two fingers. He extended it to Raven, his expression unreadable.
"This," he said, his voice smooth yet laced with an underlying gravity, "is your first step toward the truth. Consider it an invitation—if you're willing to take the risk."
Raven's gaze lingered on the card, his instincts buzzing with conflicting signals. Trust him. But be careful. His mind screamed to reject the offer, to walk away. But his instincts were louder, clearer now than ever before. They had never steered him wrong.
"What's the catch?" Raven asked, his voice even, though his pulse quickened at the weight of the moment.
The man smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as if amused. "The truth isn't free. But for someone like you? Let's just say it's… overdue."
Raven stared at him, his brow furrowing in thought. Overdue? What did that mean? Who was this man, and why had he come to him? His gut told him this wasn't a simple invitation, not just another random encounter. But the man's words hung in the air, tempting and foreboding at the same time.
Raven hesitated for a heartbeat, weighing his options. His mind raced through possible outcomes. He could refuse, but that would mean turning away from whatever destiny this man was trying to pull him into. After a moment, Raven's hand moved, steady and deliberate. He took the card. It was smooth, cold to the touch, and embossed with a single word in silver: Echelon.
"What is this?" Raven asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, even though his instincts screamed that he already knew the answer.
"You'll find out soon enough. Show up at the address on the back at midnight. And remember, Raven… trust your instinct. It's the only thing keeping you alive."
Before Raven could respond, the man turned and walked out of the office, his footsteps fading down the hallway like a ghost. Raven remained standing, the silence of the room swallowing him whole. He stared at the card in his hand, feeling the weight of its significance settle on his shoulders. Midnight. Echelon.
His instincts flared again—this time calmer, more confident.
Go.
Without a second thought, Raven slipped the card into his pocket. He walked back to class, his thoughts sharp, focused. As he entered the room, the mundane chatter of his classmates seemed distant, as if muffled by a wall of fog. His mind was already far away, preparing for what was to come. He knew one thing for certain now: the pieces were falling into place, and this was only the beginning.
Nothing would ever be the same again.