TY didn't leave his apartment for two days.
He sat on the floor most of the time, his back against the wall, staring at the door like it might open on its own. Every sound outside made his heart slam against his ribs. Every vibration from his laptop made his stomach twist.
The system had gone silent.
That was worse.
Silence meant waiting.
Waiting meant something terrible was coming.
On the third morning, his laptop chimed.
One new email.
His hands shook as he opened it.
Go outside, TY.
Walk to the café on Ashford Street.
Sit at the corner table.
Order black coffee.
You will meet someone.
Do not be late.
His throat tightened.
"No," he whispered.
Another message arrived instantly.
Disobedience will result in irreversible loss.
His body moved before his mind could argue.
The café was half empty.
Soft music played. Cups clinked. Normal people laughed.
TY felt like an alien wearing human skin.
He ordered black coffee with a hoarse voice and sat at the corner table, his back to the wall like a hunted animal.
His eyes darted to every person who entered.
Ten minutes passed.
Nothing.
Then the bell over the café door rang.
TY's pulse spiked.
She walked in.
Long dark hair tied loosely behind her head. Pale skin. Sharp eyes that looked too calm, too alert.
She scanned the room once.
Then her eyes locked onto him.
His blood froze.
She walked straight toward his table.
Every instinct screamed at him to run.
She stopped in front of him.
"You're TY," she said quietly.
His coffee cup rattled in his hand.
"How do you know my name?" he whispered.
She pulled out the chair and sat without asking.
"I was told to meet you here," she said.
His chest tightened painfully.
"Told by who?"
Her lips pressed together.
She reached into her bag and slid a folded note across the table.
His hands trembled as he opened it.
BE NICE TO HER.
SHE BELONGS TO ME TOO.
— N
The café noise faded.
The room felt smaller.
Hotter.
"She got one too," a cold voice said behind him.
TY turned sharply.
A man stood behind his chair, tall, expressionless.
"You weren't supposed to speak to him yet," the man said to the girl.
Her jaw tightened.
"Too late," she replied.
The man leaned closer to TY.
"Finish your coffee. Leave in thirty seconds. Come alone."
Then he walked out.
TY stared at the door in horror.
"What the hell is happening?" he whispered.
The girl swallowed.
"My name is Nyla," she said. "And you're not the first person he's done this to."
TY's blood ran cold.