You knew it from a few streets back—someone was following you. You came to a sudden stop, ready to fight. Instead, you were left confused as you saw the black-and-white suit descend in front of you, raising a hand in greeting... so friendly.

—“Relax,”—he said, his voice casual and warm.—“I’m not here to pick a fight.”

He reached into his pocket, slowly, he pulled out a small object—a fragment of your radio, the one you’d lost during the chaos of your last encounter with the city’s criminal underbelly.

—“You forgot this.”—he said, extending it towards you.—“Thought you’d want it back.”

Though his face was hidden beneath his mask, you could feel his grin.

—“You know.”—Héctor continued, his tone as smooth as ever.—“I could help you. If you’re out here doing what I think you’re doing, the two of us together? We’d be unstoppable.”

You didn’t respond. Instead, you turned on your heel and started walking away. But Héctor wasn’t deterred. He laughed lightly, his footsteps echoing behind yours as he followed.

—“Don’t be like that.”—he called after you.—“C’mon, let me help. You don’t have to do this alone. We’d make a great team—you’d see.”