Their distorted shouts reached Elias ears as he ran down the alleyway deeper into the concrete maze. Soon the new bricks began to fade into old, moss covered, water damaged. Overhead the clouds grew darker, Elias hadn’t the slightest clue how long he had been running for all he knew was that his lungs burned and his feet ached as the alleyway seemed to stretch on. After a few more minutes the alleyway finally gives way to a bustling main road. Staggering back into the crowd, people’s eyes watching me with confusion, disgust, and indifference.

         Taking shaky, uneven breathes He swiftly moved on shaking legs as thunder broke above cascading sheets over the rushing crowd. Wet hands gripped the nearest porch pulling himself into a corner, clothes stuck to his body as he slid down the adrenaline fading as fast as it hit as he held his pack in his lap. Another crack of thunder drenched the air as lightning danced across the sky enveloping the city for only a second before plunging the world into darkness.

The rain still poured when Elias awoke his body aching and his bones cracking like a damn xylophone as he staggered to his feet. Gripping the moist brick for some ounce of stability he removed his glasses and wiped the lenses.

         “Fuck…” He whined as he pulled his hand away, a piece of glass now lodged in the skin of his forefinger. Putting the glasses back on the crack on the right lens makes it hard for him to see, the left lens now only holding a sharp at the top for him to look through. Taking a deep breath, he holds it as he pulls the piece out of his finger, tossing it to the side before putting his finger between his lips. The metallic taste hitting his tongue.

         Elias plucked his pack from the ground and began his trek back to the homeless shelter, his feet all but dragging against the moist concrete the hot smell of asphalt making his nose scrunch. Shuffling his feet the sound of thudding footsteps drawing closer the smell of burnt skin clouding his nostrils as a calloused claw clasped his shoulder yanking him off his feet.

         ‘You can run but you can’t hide seer.’

         The low venomous growl carved through the air knocking Elias’ already stupor thoughts into gear as he tried to struggle. Tears pricking the corners of his eyes as the mass of smoke and jagged teeth hissed against his face. Screwing his eyes shut he dare not look at the creature as it sways him back and forth almost tauntingly. The deep distorted chuckling hit his face as he suddenly and unceremoniously dropped to the asphalt. Eyes snapping open he staggered back looking at the creatures whose attention is drawn elsewhere.

         Taking the opportunity Elias fled, aching feet pounding asphalt as the creature bellowed behind him. Claws snagging his shirt as he rounds into a thin alleyway. Not daring to take any chances he squeezes through till moss dug into his fingers.

         Popping out the other side another long alleyway meets his eyes, looking around he continues through the maze till callused hands grip his shoulders, and the chime of iron rung over his head.

         “I DIDN’T DO IT!” Elias shouts, throwing his hands up over his head, the hands immediately falling off his shoulders.

         “The Fumari would say otherwise.” The gruff voice dripping with command makes a chill roll down Elias’ spine as he peeked out from behind his arms.

         “Fuma what now?” He questioned lowering his arms to finally look at the blurry man before him.

         “Fu•ma•ri, Latin for smoke. That’s what we call those made of the mists.” The man began explaining with a wave of his hand. “That creature, and the two men who followed you are the same thing.” He ends.

         Heat danced back across Elias’ face as he pushed his glasses up. “You saw that?”

         “Yes.” Came the curt answer.

         “Great…” He grumbled as his glasses were plucked from the top of his head. “Oh, hey! I need those!” He shouted, reaching forward to grab them. Only to miss entirely. “Dammit…” He curses under his breath.

         “Answer me this,” The man began his footfalls receding but his voice seeming closer. “Why were they after you?”

         “Those guys?” Elias began his brow raised as he looked about the blurry shop. “Well, I may or may not have stolen some produce from a stand near theirs. I don’t know what the big deal was it wasn’t their stall.” He explained shivering as cold air drifted around him.

         “You understood them, did you not?”

         “Yeah, what’s your point?” Elias folded his arms over his chest.

         “I have a proposition for you.” The mans warm breath hits Elias’ face as he turned. Only to have his glasses placed back on his nose as new as the day he got them.

         “How did you?” Elias took them off, running his fingers over the lens and legs that once pinched his head, now sat snug as he slipped them back on. The world becoming clear once again.

         “All I ask is for you to help run the shop while I work on other matters.” The man now that Elias can clearly see, dwarfs him by several feet. His skin a soft honey, his hair a salt and pepper array tied in a loose man bun by the base of his neck.

         “So, free labor?” Elias leans back on the balls of his feet.

         “No, you will be paid accordingly, along with house and board here in the shop.” He explains turning his back to Elias and walking ahead. “Unless you have somewhere?”

         “No.” Elias followed the dim orange lights above their heads casting a lovely glow as he is lead upstairs. “I don’t remember this shop…” He finally says as they reach the top step.

         “Few do. But we do not usually get your normal customers here.”

         “What do you mean by that?” Elias questions as he looks passed the banister and towards a set of large double doors, above them sits the name in golden font.

Iverain

         “Iverain?” Elias mumbles too himself.

         “Yes.” Iverain responds glancing over his shoulder. “That’s my name.” He adjusts the sleeve of his button up.

         Elias nods softly his eyes grazing over the muscle of Iverain’s arms as he walks towards his office, opening the double doors we step inside the lights above dimming to life.

         “Take a seat.” Iverain motions to one of two chairs in front of a dark mahogany desk. The left chair a matching mahogany with red leather, the right chair with green leather. Behind the desk sits a large black chair and behind that sits a large circular glass paint-stained window. The multitude of colors dancing across the desk as lightening danced across the sky.

            “So…” Elias mumbled fingers fidgeting with the corners of his nails. “A job?”