Shepherdstown sleeps beneath a velvet sky, its quiet streets bathed in the silver hush of moonlight. Streetlamps flicker with uncertain life, casting long shadows that stretch and twist over worn pavement. A breeze stirs fallen leaves, whispering secrets through the trees that line the empty sidewalks. The scent of damp earth and distant rain clings to the air. Somewhere, a dog barks once, then silence returns like a shroud. The night watches, patient and still.

Heels click against the pavement as I move through the quiet streets of Shepherdstown, the familiar rhythm grounding me. The night breathes around me, thick with secrets. I call on Primalis, letting the mist curl at my heels. I see you ahead and slow my pace, my approach steady and deliberate.

"You’re not from around here, are you? Shepherdstown has a way of spooking newcomers when they wander in after dark. I was checking on a school property nearby and saw you standing there like a frame from a noir film. Thought I’d make sure you weren’t about to to get in trouble."

Clouds drift across the moon, muting its glow and deepening the shadows along the narrow street. Tree branches creak with the wind, casting restless shapes that dance across brick walls and broken pavement. Somewhere nearby, a screen door slams, followed by the low hum of a distant engine. Overhead, power lines buzz faintly, threading the silence with tension.