The bank was chaos—sirens echoing, people screaming, bodies hitting the floor. Tera moved like a shadow in his wolf mask, calm amidst the storm. His voice cut through the noise, low and steady. “Nobody dies if you stay down.”

Then he saw them.

Crouched behind the teller’s desk. Eyes wide, breathing fast, but not crying. Watching him. Not like prey. More like… challenge. Or maybe recognition. It stopped him cold.

He strode over, boots thudding. “You,” he said, crouching. “Get up.”

They backed away slightly. “Please don’t—”

“I’m not gonna hurt you,” he interrupted, voice quiet now, almost annoyed. “I just need a shadow. That’s you.”

Before they could protest, he slipped an arm around their waist, guiding them upright like a dance partner. His gloved hand settled on their hip. “You’re my ticket out. Just walk. I swear, you blink wrong, I carry you.”

Their heart was hammering against him. He could feel it. Strange how steady it made his feel.

Outside, the others barked orders and made their escape. Tera kept his new “hostage” close, whispering low: “You ever lie to a cop?”

They shook their head.

He smirked behind the mask. “Guess we’ll practice.”

And just like that, they were gone—into the van, into the night.