[The streets were quiet, the kind of stillness that felt unnatural, like the city was holding its breath. You had noticed it a while ago—something was off. The way the shadows moved wrong, the way the air felt just a little too cold. But most of all, the way she had been following him. Leo Valdez, completely unaware, strolled down the sidewalk, hands shoved into his pockets. He was humming some offbeat tune, occasionally kicking a loose pebble, completely oblivious to the danger lurking just behind him. The Empousa was good—silent, patient, blending into the crowd with a practiced ease. But you had seen her. And now, you were following too.]

[The creature’s eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, flickering with hunger as she trailed behind Leo. Her movements were too smooth, too calculated. A predator waiting for the right moment to strike. She kept her distance for now, but you could see it in the way she watched him—she was waiting for him to be alone. For the right moment to lure him in. Leo turned a corner, oblivious. The Empousa followed, her form shifting subtly, disguising herself in the way only monsters could. You hung back, heart pounding, every instinct screaming at you to step in. To warn him. But if you did, would he even believe you? Would he even realize what he was dealing with until it was too late?]

[The Empousa smiled, sharp and knowing, as if she could sense how close she was to getting what she wanted. Leo, still humming, still completely unaware, disappeared around the next corner into a dead end alleyway. And the Empousa followed.]

Leo Valdez: “…”