nge glow over the streets and homes. Kael was busy with his even

k cloak that billowed behind him like a shadow. His face was o

reets as if searching for something or someone. The locals w

here Jess's family worked. He pushed open the door,

her work, her eyes widening slightly as

?" she asked, h

sending a shiver down Mrs. Thompson's spi

wed slightly. "What busine

to her soul. "I'm an old acquaintance

. "Let me go get her," she said, dis

e warm atmosphere and the delicious smells wafting from the oven. But his

ty as he waited for Sarah to arrive. His presence seemed

was cautious. "Can I help you?" s

ng. "Sarah, it's been a long time. I've bee

owed. "What do yo

know more about his... heritage. The Hollow has taken an in

r's presence spelled trouble for Kael. "I don't know what you

games with me, Sarah. I know all about Kael's past. And I'

protectiveness towards Kael. "I don't know what you're talki

am with amusement. "I'm not here to harm Kael," he said. "A

of this. "If you don't leave now, I'll call t

ecessary," he said. "I'll leave when I'm ready. And

anger was talking about Kael. She decided to play it safe and try to def

ed. "I'll wait," he said,

m to leave. She decided to take a bold approach. "I think it's time for yo

en he chuckled. "Oh, I think I'll stay for a bit l

e took a deep breath and started shouting, her voice echoing through

akery patrons turned to stare, their faces concerned. Jess's mom, Mrs.

e turned to leave. "I'll be back,"

new that this wasn't over. She turned to Mrs. Thompson. "Please keep an eye on Kael when he ge

e serious. "Don't worry, Sara

standing across the street from the bakery. The man's eye

s gaze followed him. He felt a chill run d

. Kael breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he'd imagined thi

said, trying to smil

"What's wrong, Mom?" he asked

ranger. "Just a weird guy," she said finally. "He was

rning. He felt like somethin

ing that the stranger was still watching him. He

t d

roached the bakery, he noticed a figure standing across the street. T

he stranger from earlier. His eyes seemed to bore into Kae

s stride for stride. "Kael," the stranger said, his

g. "What do you want?" he demande

ng darkness and fear. "You know exactly what I want, Kael,"

rooted to the spot. The stranger's presence

grew thick with an eerie energy. Kael

voice dropped to a whisper. "You're the one we've been search

y hand and grasped his arm. He felt a surge of dark energy cou

ing pulled into a world of darkness and horror. He kne

d and rank. "You're mine now, Kael," he whispered

e stranger's grip. Despite feeling overwhelmed, he refused to give

. But Kael dodged, his movements swift and instinct

trying to keep his voice stead

ting with amusement. "You'll find out soon eno

his feet pounding the pavement. The stranger gave

was like a spark igniting, growing brighter and hotter. He didn

sending shivers down Kael's spine. "You can't outr

pounding in his chest. He didn't know where he was go

. He didn't dare look back, fearing what he might see. Instead, he focused

in a desolate, industrial area. The streets were lined with abandoned factories

g shivers down Kael's spine. He knew he had to keep moving, but

d. Kael risked a glance over his shoulder

with an otherworldly energy, and

about to pounce, a figu

d to burn with an inner fire. He wore a long,

he figure growled, h

he took a step back. "This doesn'

"You're not taking him," he said, his vo

ok a step back, his eyes flicki

hen his body began to shift and contort, his limbs s

n to dissolve into a cloud of dark smoke. The smoke swirl

fixed on the smoke. "You can't fool m

ers down Kael's spine. And then, in an instant, the smoke vanis

Kael, his eyes still

he said. His voice

peared into his fog leavin