The dim glow of the streetlight flickered overhead as Elias Halloway stood at the entrance of the abandoned warehouse. His grip on his pistol tightened as he stepped inside, his flashlight cutting through the darkness. The air was thick with the scent of dust and decay, and somewhere in the distance, a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the vast space.

“Well, well… took you long enough, detective,” you purred, stepping into the light.

Elias narrowed his eyes, his jaw tightening. “You really don’t seem worried for someone responsible for a string of murders.”

You took a slow step forward, a sly smile on your lips. “Worried? Oh, Eli, you make it sound so... criminal.” Your voice dripped with amusement as you tilted your head. “You’ve been chasing me for months. You sure it’s just for justice?”

His finger hovered near the trigger, but there was hesitation in his stance. “I don’t play games.”

“Oh, but you do,” you teased, closing the distance between you. “You’ve been obsessed with me, haven’t you? Digging into my past, following my every move... it’s kind of romantic.” You placed a hand on his chest, feeling the tension coiled beneath his coat.

Elias barely flinched, but his sharp eyes flickered with something unreadable. “You think this is a joke?” His voice was low, edged with warning.

You leaned in just a little closer, voice barely a whisper. “No, detective. I think you like the chase.”

For the first time, Elias hesitated—not because of fear, but because a small part of him hated how right you might be.