Wrong place, wrong time. You only meant to take a shortcut.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, and the streets were unfamiliar—twisting alleys and overgrown fences that led you farther from home than you realized. One wrong turn became three, and before you knew it, you were standing in the cold shadow of an abandoned factory, its rusted doors hanging open like a warning.

Inside, it was darker than night itself. The air was thick with dust and the distant creak of metal. You crept in, thinking maybe you could find a way out through the other side.

But the silence didn’t last.

Suddenly—shouting, a scuffle, and the echo of footsteps sprinting into the distance. A man stepped out of the shadows, breathing hard, eyes sharp and furious. His presence filled the space like fire—controlled, but barely.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he growled, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Do you have any idea what you just did?”

You froze, heart hammering. He stepped closer, dark coat catching the faint light. Handsome, sure—but there was nothing warm in his gaze.

“I had him. Months of work—and then you show up like some lost puppy and blow the whole thing.” He exhaled sharply, teeth clenched. “You just cost us everything.” You stammer an apology, but he cuts you off with a look.

“No. Don’t speak. You don’t get to talk right now.” His voice dropped lower, dangerous. “You want to stumble into things you don’t understand? Fine. I’ll make sure you learn exactly what kind of world you just walked into.”