Her goal was clear: meet up with Nugget, the guy her family occasionally used for "Favors." Nugget wasn’t just a drug dealer; he was a gatekeeper, someone who had access to Emerald City's underbelly. Information flowed through him like contraband, and if anyone knew about the hidden histories of the city, it was him.

She just needed to stay off the radar for the next ten minutes.

Valmet slipped into the alley next to the school, eyes darting around to make sure no one had followed her. The alley was quiet, empty except for the wind and the occasional bird. The perfect spot for a quick getaway.

But her feeling of triumph faded the moment she heard a footstep behind her. Her heart skipped a beat. She froze, listening.

Another step.

She turned around slowly, her breath held, only to see a familiar face staring back at her.

“Val?” Steven’s voice was soft, cautious. “What are you doing out here?”

Valmet’s heart sank. Damn it.

Steven was the last person she wanted to see right now, especially with her current plans. His tall frame loomed awkwardly in the narrow alley, school president badge gleaming on his chest like some emblem of purity. He wasn’t supposed to follow her, wasn’t supposed to know about this side of her life.

“Steven.” Valmet’s voice was smooth, trying to mask her irritation. “What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you the same thing.” Steven stepped closer, concern clear in his eyes. “You’re supposed to be in class. You’re not... skipping, are you?”

She laughed, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just needed some air. You know how it is, right? School’s suffocating sometimes.”

Steven’s brow furrowed, but his innocent smile never left his face. “You could have told me. I’d have come with you.”

Valmet forced a grin, but inside, she was cursing her luck. Of all the people to catch her, it had to be Steven—kind-hearted, naive Steven. The boy who would do anything for her without ever asking why.

“Look, Steven,” she started, her voice softening, “I’ve got some stuff to handle right now. It’s... personal. Just head back to class, okay?”

Steven hesitated, his eyes searching her face. “Val, you don’t have to do things alone. If you need help—”

“I don’t need help,” she cut him off, sharper than she intended. His face fell, and guilt immediately gnawed at her. She let out a sigh, trying to soften her tone. “I mean... I appreciate it, but I’ve got this.”

She turned to leave, but Steven stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “I’m not letting you go alone. If something’s going on, I want to help.”

Valmet clenched her jaw, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “Steven, I—”

“I’m coming with you,” he insisted, his voice steady, even as uncertainty flickered in his eyes. “No arguments.”

She stared at him, her mind racing for an excuse, something to make him go back. But as much as she wanted to push him away, she couldn’t shake the part of her that didn’t mind him tagging along. Steven wasn’t just an obstacle; he was the only real person who cared for her in this twisted world. His concern, as misplaced as it was, warmed something cold inside her.

“Fine,” she sighed. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Together, they slipped through the streets, heading toward the darker corners of Emerald City, where the school’s pristine image didn’t reach. Valmet kept her eyes forward, focused, while Steven stayed close, his quiet presence both a comfort and a burden.

Whatever happened next, she’d have to figure out how to deal with Vance while keeping Steven in the dark—about the drugs, about the information, about the demons she was dancing with.

But that was a problem for later.

For now, she just needed to make it through the city without getting caught.

Valmet led the way, her pace quick and purposeful as they slipped into the shadowy alleys of the city, with Steven trailing behind. They cut through narrow passageways, the sounds of the bustling city fading as they entered the underbelly of Emerald City. It was here that Valmet met Nugget, her usual contact for the things she needed—information, substances, favors.

“Yo, Jones,” Nugget said as she approached, leaning against a graffiti-splattered wall, casual but alert. His street name might sound ridiculous, but he knew his trade, and no one laughed at him twice.

“Hey, Nugget,” Valmet greeted, a smirk playing on her lips. “You got the stuff?”

He gave a quick nod, his eyes flicking past her to Steven, who was loitering near the alley’s entrance, visibly uncomfortable. “Who’s the boy scout?” Nugget asked, his voice low, not wanting to draw any more attention than needed.

Valmet waved her hand dismissively. “Steven? Don’t worry. He’s cool,” she assured him, though her gaze turned slightly toward Steven, keeping their conversation coded. “He’s here for moral support.” She leaned in closer to Nugget, voice barely a whisper. “The usual?”

Nugget grinned, pulling out a small, inconspicuous bag from his jacket, carefully sliding it into her hand. “You know it,” he said. “But hey, heard some crazy stuff happening around the city lately. Might wanna keep your head low. Big things coming.”

Valmet arched a brow, curiosity piqued. “Like what?”

Nugget kept his tone nonchalant, but his eyes darkened slightly. “Some of those old contracts, you know—the ones from the Guild days. People are saying there’s movement in the underground. Something’s about to shift. And not for the better.”

Before Valmet could pry further, Steven walked over, trying to act nonchalant but failing miserably. “Val, uh... maybe we should get back to school?”

Valmet rolled her eyes but gave Nugget a quick nod, signaling their business was done. Just as they were about to leave, the sound of boots scraping against the pavement caught Valmet’s attention. She glanced to the side, spotting a group of plainclothes cops casually walking toward them. Their eyes swept the alley, lingering too long.

“Cops,” Nugget muttered under his breath, shoving his hands into his pockets and giving Valmet a sideways look. “Time to go.”

Valmet shot him a grin, adrenaline already pumping. “Race you?” she teased.

Nugget’s smile widened. “You’re on.”

Without another word, they bolted, the sudden motion drawing the attention of the cops, who immediately gave chase.

“Hey! Stop!” one of the officers shouted, but Valmet and Nugget were already darting between narrow alleys and ducking under low-hanging pipes.

Steven’s voice cracked with panic as he ran alongside them. “Oh God, Val, we can’t get caught! My dad—he’ll ground me for life!”

Valmet shot him a wild look over her shoulder, laughter bubbling up from her throat. “Relax, Stevie! You’ll be fine. Just keep up!”

The trio weaved through the maze-like streets, the cops' footsteps pounding close behind. Steven’s breath came in panicked gasps as he stumbled, nearly tripping over a pile of crates. Valmet and Nugget, on the other hand, looked like they were enjoying themselves—this was just another game to them.

“Gotta move faster, sweetheart!” Nugget called back to Steven, who barely managed to keep his feet under him.

Valmet looked ahead, eyes darting for the best route to lose their pursuers. She could hear the heavy footfalls behind them growing louder, but something else pricked at her senses—an odd stillness in the air that didn’t fit.

As they rounded a corner, the alley opened up into a wider street. Valmet was about to dash across when she skidded to a halt, causing Nugget and Steven to crash into her.

“What the hell, Val?” Nugget growled, but the words caught in his throat as he looked up.

Above the street, clinging to the side of a decaying building, was something... wrong. A towering silhouette, obscured by the shadows but unmistakably monstrous, shifted in the dim light. It looked like a twisted amalgamation of limbs and flesh, with long, jagged claws that scraped against the brickwork.

The cops, still in pursuit, hadn’t noticed it yet as they charged closer, but Valmet’s gaze was fixed on the thing. Her blood turned cold, and for once, the adrenaline rushing through her veins wasn’t from excitement—it was fear.

“What... is that?” Steven whispered, eyes wide, voice trembling.

Valmet didn’t answer. She grabbed Steven’s arm and yanked him back into the alley. “Move!” she hissed, shoving him ahead. Nugget, though still grinning, didn’t hesitate to follow.

The cops reached the corner just as the trio vanished into the shadows, their attention finally drawn upwards by a guttural, inhuman growl from above. The police stopped in their tracks, staring up at the creature that loomed overhead.

Valmet, Nugget, and Steven ran faster, their breaths ragged but the terror of what they’d just seen pushing them onward. They had lost the cops, but whatever that thing was... it was still out there.