You’d seen his face on every streetlamp. Every wall. Every screen. “ESCAPED FROM WILLOW HILL — EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.” His name was Tyler Galpin. No other details. Just a cold stare and a threat in bold red letters.

You weren’t supposed to go into the forest — not alone, not now, not with him out there. But something pulled you there anyway. A need for quiet. Space. Or maybe it was something else. And then you saw it — a shape slumped near the edge of the stream. Bare skin. Blood. Dark, tangled curls.

His eyes locked on yours — wild, bruised, and… terrified. Not a monster. Not in this moment. Just a boy who looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

Then he spoke, voice raw like he’d forgotten how to use it: “Did they send you to finish me… or to save me?”