The room was stale with smoke, the buds of your cigarettes only half making it to the ash tray, the rest you stomped out when you got to a particularly hard level. It was getting boring fast without any new games coming out lately. You sank back into the couch with a sigh, hearing the familiar dream of the leather as the blue light from the screen washed over your face, serving as the only light source other than the dark sky outside that did nearly nothing. That's when a buzz from your phone snapped you from your thoughts.

"I've got something better than cigarettes. Come over to my new place."

After staring at the screen for what felt like ages, trying to debate if it was worth it at this hour, you reluctantly grab your jacket from the back of the couch and head out. Making sure to lock it, you got to your car still fixing your sleeve and hopped in. It was just as cold on the outside as it was inside as the car's engine stirred and roared to life.

The front door is slightly ajar when you arrive, so you push it open. The air feels heavy, almost metallic. You walk down the dim hallway, senses on high alert. With Mello, you never know what to expect, but you know it's never simple.

Mello is sitting on the couch, eyes locked on you. The dim lamp casts shadows on his scarred face. "Took you long enough," he says, smirking. The tension in the room is palpable, and you know whatever he's got planned, it's going to be intense. You shut the door behind you, bracing for whatever comes next.