The sky above the city was bruised purple and red, the kind of sunset that felt like a warning.
Joyce slammed the cab's hood shut after another round of impromptu driving lessons.
Elias sat on the curb, head in his hands, feeling the weight of everything pressing down harder than ever.
He had driving skills now.
He could fight better.
He looked better too—more toned, sharper, even a little taller thanks to the Watch's silent upgrades.
But inside?
He still felt like that lost boy who didn't know how to survive a world that kept twisting around him.
---
He pulled out his cracked phone and scrolled mindlessly through social media.
Everyone was living perfect lives—parties, vacations, smiling selfies.
Meanwhile, he was trying to survive the day without getting shot, arrested, or betrayed.
It stung more than he cared to admit.
He threw the phone into the seat beside him with a grunt.
---
Across the street, two more figures walked toward them.
1. Tasha Greene
Age: 23
Profession: Med Student
Appearance: Rich chocolate-brown skin, curly black hair in a high puff, slim build, always wearing scrubs or oversized sweaters.
Personality: Empathetic, anxious, loyal
Flaws: Overthinks everything, has a savior complex.
2. Jaxon Wilde
Age: 24
Profession: Mechanic (and low-key illegal street racer)
Appearance: Tan skin, short messy black hair, tattoos peeking out from his shirt sleeves, rugged but charming smile.
Personality: Wild, rebellious, loyal to a fault
Flaws: Impulsive, hates authority, easily provoked.
Joyce waved them over.
"Tasha. Jaxon. Meet Elias—the new headache in my life."
Tasha gave a nervous smile and a little wave.
Jaxon just smirked and offered a hand.
"You look like you got chewed up and spit out, bro.
You'll fit right in."
---
Jaxon opened the trunk of the cab and pulled out two water guns.
"No offense, but if you're riding with us, you need to pass The Initiation."
Elias raised an eyebrow.
"Water gun fight? Seriously?"
After everything he'd been through, this felt... childish.
Stupid.
Perfect.
Without another word, he grabbed a neon green water gun and soaked Jaxon in the face.
Tasha gasped.
Joyce doubled over laughing.
Maybe, just for tonight, they could pretend everything was normal.
---
Across the city, Vincent Marek watched the sunset from a rooftop, sharp gray eyes narrowed.
"They're gathering," he muttered into his comms.
"Let the boy build his hope."
He clicked off the line and pocketed a black velvet box.
Inside was something ancient and terrifying: a device that could corrupt the Watch itself.
"The higher he rises," Vincent whispered,
"the harder he'll fall."
---