The streets were still alive, buzzing with neon signs and passing cars. Catherine followed one step behind Isaac, her cloak wrapped tightly around her, as if it were armor.
She had never walked like this before—among people, among noise. Every flickering billboard made her blink. Every smell—grilled food, exhaust, perfume—stabbed at her senses. She tried not to wrinkle her nose.
Isaac glanced back at her. "Hey. You okay?"
She stared blankly at him. "…Why are there so many lights?"
"Huh?" He scratched his cheek. "Because it's a city. Electricity. You've… seriously never been in one before?"
"…No."
"Wait, no?" He raised a brow. "What, did you grow up on some hidden mountain village or something?"
Catherine blinked at him slowly. "…Something like that."
Isaac laughed a little, though he didn't press further. "Guess that explains the weird way you talk. You're… kinda stiff, y'know that?"
"Stiff?" she repeated, unfamiliar with the word.
"Like, too formal. Too serious. You don't… loosen up." He waved his hands vaguely. "It's fine though. I've met stranger people."
Catherine's lips pressed thin. She wasn't sure if she'd just been insulted.
---
They stopped briefly at a corner when the red signal lit. Catherine's eyes darted across the crosswalk. Cars zipped by like wild beasts with glowing eyes. Her grip on her cloak tightened.
Isaac noticed. "…Never seen traffic before, huh?"
"…Those beasts."
"…Beasts?" He snorted. "You mean the cars? They're not alive. They're machines."
Her eyes flicked to him, as if doubting his sanity. "…They breathe smoke."
Isaac tried not to laugh. "That's… exhaust, not breath. You really are from nowhere, aren't you?"
She turned away, cheeks faintly warm, though she didn't understand why.
---
Across the street, in the shadow of a lamppost, a pair of men lingered. Black coats. Cold eyes. They had seen her.
One muttered, "It's her. No mistake."
The other smirked. "So the Gem of Life finally steps outside her cage. Let's move."
They melted into the crowd.
Unaware, Catherine followed Isaac as the light turned green.
---
After a while, Isaac slowed his steps. "You know… I still don't get it. Why the mountain hills? It's pretty far. Most people your age wanna see the mall, the arcades, stuff like that."
Catherine's gaze didn't waver. "…Because they said you can see the ocean. And the sunset. And the wind…"
Her voice was soft, almost trembling. Isaac's eyes widened slightly.
For a second, she didn't look cold or stiff. She looked… lonely.
"…Got it," he said finally, his tone firm. "Then that's where we'll go."
She blinked at him. "You don't even know me."
"I don't need to." Isaac shrugged. "You asked. And besides…" He smiled faintly. "You look like you've never seen the world before. Be a shame if you missed something that important."
Catherine froze. Her chest tightened, unfamiliar warmth spreading. She quickly turned away, muttering, "…You apologize when it isn't your fault. You offer things when no one asks. Are you always this… reckless?"
"Pretty much," Isaac said without hesitation.
---
The night deepened. They turned into a quieter street lined with shops already closed.
And that was when Catherine's sharp eyes caught it—shadows moving too deliberately. Footsteps that weren't just passerby.
Her breath caught. "…They are following."
Isaac stopped walking, his hand brushing against the strap of his bag. He glanced behind them, then muttered, "…Damn it. You noticed too, huh?"
The men in coats stepped out of the dark.
"There she is."
"Come quietly, girl. Don't make us break the merchandise."
Catherine's blood ran cold. She staggered back, but Isaac stepped forward.
"…Guess this isn't just random." His voice dropped lower, steady. "You after her?"
The men smirked. "Not your concern, boy. Walk away if you want to live."
Isaac rolled his shoulders. "Yeah… can't do that."
"…Why?" Catherine whispered.
He shot her a quick grin. "Because you asked me to take you to the mountain hills. And I don't ditch a promise halfway."
Her lips parted in shock.
The men lunged.
Isaac moved.
---
The first attacker swung a baton. Isaac sidestepped sharply, grabbed his wrist, and slammed him into the ground with a thud. The second came at him with a knife; Isaac twisted his body, deflecting the strike with his forearm before driving a kick into the man's ribs.
It was fast. Brutal. Clean.
Catherine's eyes widened. He wasn't superhuman. He wasn't enhanced. He was just… fighting with nothing but his body.
And winning.
"…What… are you?" she breathed.
Isaac wiped sweat from his brow, glaring at the two groaning men on the ground. "…Just a guy who trains too much."
More shadows flickered at the end of the street. Reinforcements.
Isaac grit his teeth. "Tch. Figures it wouldn't be that easy."
He turned to Catherine. "Stay close. No matter what, don't let go of me."
She stared at him, chest tight, before finally nodding. "…I'll trust you. For now."
Isaac smirked faintly. "Good enough."
And together, they ran into the night—pursued by enemies Catherine never thought would find her.