Ethan Blackwood crouched on the rooftop, his eyes fixed on the sleek, modern building across the street. The Museum of Contemporary Art was one of the most secure buildings in the city, but Ethan had a plan.
He checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. 2:47 AM. The security guards would be making their rounds in exactly thirteen minutes.
Ethan took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had been planning this heist for months, studying the museum's security systems and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
That moment was now.
Ethan sprang into action, sprinting across the rooftop to the edge of the building. He leapt across the narrow alleyway, landing silently on the museum's rooftop.
He pulled out his lockpicks and set to work on the security door. It took him less than two minutes to bypass the lock and slip inside.
The museum was dark and quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the security cameras. Ethan moved swiftly and silently, avoiding the cameras as he made his way to the exhibit hall.
His target was a small, priceless artifact known as the "Echo of Memories." It was a delicate, crystal orb that was said to contain the memories of the past.
Ethan had no idea what the orb actually did, but he knew it was worth a fortune. And he was going to steal it.
He reached the exhibit hall and quickly located the orb. It was displayed on a pedestal in the center of the room, surrounded by a halo of light.
Ethan pulled out his glass cutter and set to work on the display case. It took him less than a minute to cut a circle in the glass and carefully remove the orb.
He tucked the orb into his pocket and turned to leave. But as he did, he heard the sound of footsteps echoing through the hallway.
The security guards.
Ethan's heart began to pound as he realized he had been caught. He sprinted back through the exhibit hall, the guards hot on his heels.
He burst through the security door and out onto the rooftop, the guards closing in behind him.
Ethan leapt across the alleyway, landing hard on the rooftop of the adjacent building. He rolled to his feet and took off, sprinting across the rooftops as the guards gave chase.
He finally lost them in the maze of alleys and side streets, pausing to catch his breath in a deserted courtyard.
Ethan pulled out the orb and examined it carefully. It was beautiful, the crystal surface reflecting the light of the streetlamps.
He tucked the orb back into his pocket and smiled to himself. The heist had been a success.
But as he turned to leave, Ethan felt a strange sensation in his head. It was as if the orb was...calling to him.
He shook his head, chuckling to himself. That was impossible.
But the sensation persisted, growing stronger with every step.
Ethan's smile began to fade as he realized that something was very wrong.
The orb was not just a simple artifact.
It was something much more powerful.
And Ethan had no idea what he had just gotten himself into.
As he walked away from the courtyard, Ethan felt the sensation growing stronger. He knew that he had to get rid of the orb, and fast.
But as he reached into his pocket to pull it out, Ethan felt a strange resistance. It was as if the orb did not want to be removed.
He tried again, but it was no use. The orb seemed to be stuck in his pocket.
Ethan's heart began to pound as he realized that he was in grave danger. The orb was not just a simple artifact.
It was a curse.
And Ethan had no idea how to break it.