The man stiffened, face drained of color, body trembling uncontrollably. Cold sweat streamed down his temples, then, shamefully, he lost control. His pants darkened as he stared wide-eyed at death made flesh: Kaivan, standing in the shadows like an unbending arbiter of fate.
Behind him, Isabel held her breath. Her eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. Her body tensed, mind reeling from the speed and precision she had just witnessed. Shock and relief tangled in her chest. One thing was clear, Kaivan was on her side.
Kaivan stayed calm. With a flick of his wrist, the chain of his karambit coiled back, pulling the blade smoothly into his hand. The sharp clink of metal cut through the silence. Every motion was exact, as if drilled a thousand times before.
"Do your job properly," he said quietly, his tone sinking like cold steel into the man's heart. His eyes pierced through the trembling figure. "Don't steal again."
The words hung heavy in the air, undeniable and absolute. The man and woman could only stare, pale and lifeless, pressed against the wall as if their strength had drained away.
Kaivan stepped back, each movement deliberate and controlled. When he turned to Isabel, his icy composure softened slightly. "Come on. We still need to find your phone."
The words pulled Isabel back to reality. She nodded quickly and followed him out. Night had fallen completely. The chill of the air wrapped around them, carrying the scent of wet earth and asphalt. The sky above was a dull black, no stars, only the dim dance of streetlights glimmering on damp pavement.
Kaivan walked ahead with steady focus, his silence almost tangible. Isabel trailed behind, struggling to keep pace. Her eyes, though, began to change. She kept glancing at him, lips parting as if to speak, then hesitating.
By the time they reached the motorcycle, the silence still lingered. Kaivan handed her a helmet without a word. Isabel hesitated before taking it, searching his face for meaning through his quietness. Awkwardly, she put it on. Kaivan checked everything with calm precision.
"Hold on," he said curtly. His tone was flat, yet firm enough to make her obey.
The motorcycle started slowly, gliding through the empty streets. The hum of the engine filled the quiet night. Isabel felt the vibration through her hands, a subtle reminder that this silence was only alive through motion.
She tried to speak. "So, "
But the buzzing of Kaivan's phone cut her off. He groaned softly, pulling it from his pocket while keeping one hand on the handlebar. The screen read: Teh Kira. Kaivan sighed and stopped the bike by the curb.
"Hello, Teh."
The voice on the other end was firm yet warm. "What time are you coming home? It's almost midnight. Stop wandering around."
Kaivan stared down the empty road. "Yeah. Just lock the door. I've got my key. I'll be back soon."
"Be careful on the road," she said before hanging up.
He started the engine again, this time accelerating faster, as if wanting to outrun the night itself.
Isabel took the chance to speak, her voice soft. "So… who are you, really?" She tilted her head slightly, trying to catch his expression from the side.
Kaivan didn't answer right away. A faint smile appeared under the glow of the passing streetlights. Without looking at her, he finally said, "A student. Eleventh grade."
Isabel blinked, surprised, then chuckled lightly to ease the tension. "Oh, same as me," she said, playfully smiling. "But… don't tell me you like me already?"
Kaivan's expression turned flat again. He sighed through his nose, almost scoffing. "Hah? Who said I liked you?" he muttered, hiding the weariness in his tone.
Isabel just shrugged with a playful smile. "Because you helped me that much. But sorry, I like taller guys."
Kaivan didn't respond. He let the night wind carry her words away, his eyes fixed on the dim road ahead. Isabel, sitting behind him, began to realize that Kaivan wasn't someone she could easily read. Quietly, she tightened her grip around his waist, holding on as the motorcycle sped through the cool night.
The scenery changed as they entered Sayati. The streetlights flickered lazily, casting faint orange glows over worn buildings. Kaivan stopped in front of a small electronics shop. He got off first, calm and composed, followed by Isabel, who eyed the shop uneasily.
Once inside, Kaivan walked straight to the counter. A sly-looking man sat there, barely paying attention.
"Two people sold phones here, didn't they?" Kaivan asked, his tone cold and direct.
The man raised an eyebrow, a crooked grin spreading on his face. "Oh, you want to buy that phone? Two million rupiah. It's in good shape, worth the price."
Kaivan ignored the offer. "Got any broken phones? Dead ones. Totally unusable."
The shopkeeper blinked, suspicious. "Why would you want broken ones?" But when Kaivan gave no answer, he relented with a sigh. "One hundred thousand each."
Without hesitation, Kaivan placed a thick wad of bills on the counter. "I'll take the phone those two sold you. And add a hundred broken units. I'll pick them up Saturday."
The man's eyes widened at the sight of money. After a tense pause, he nodded slowly. "Alright… deal."
Outside, Isabel followed Kaivan, confusion written all over her face. "Why would you buy a hundred broken phones?" she asked, the night breeze slipping through her jacket.
Kaivan only smiled faintly. "It's for my hobby," he said lightly, his tone unreadable.
When they reached the motorcycle, Kaivan handed Isabel her phone. Relief washed over her face, as if a weight had finally been lifted.
"Call your family," he said gently. "Tell them you're safe."
Isabel nodded and obeyed, then followed Kaivan back onto the bike. The ride was silent, but not cold, it carried a strange calmness between them. After a while, Isabel spoke softly.
"Kaivan… thank you."
He glanced at her briefly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "My pleasure."
Isabel giggled, brushing off the tension. "You like me, don't you? I mean, I'm cute, my skin's clear, no acne at all."