The alley was supposed to be destroyed.
But when Areeba arrived, her breath caught.
The space where the alley had once existed was now an empty lot. Yet, something felt wrong.
The air was thick, suffocating.
The scent of rotting meat lingered.
And then she saw them.
Dogs.
Not just one. Hundreds.
Silent. Unmoving. Watching.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She turned—
And crashed into someone.
"Areeba?"
Her heart nearly stopped. "Rehan?"
He frowned. "Why are you here?"
She didn't answer.
Because in the distance, beyond the dogs, a figure stood in the shadows.
Tall. Still.
Watching them.
Areeba felt her throat tighten.
"Rehan… do you see that?"
Rehan turned—
And the figure smiled.
A slow, unnatural grin.
Then, it whispered.
"You shouldn't have come back."