The Price of Curiosity

By then, the memory of the incident had started to fade away

A little while later, I saw on the news that police had caught and imprisoned my attacker. 

Turns out, he was a highly wanted criminal. One problem solved.

Over time, I was able to go back to my normal routine, school, home like nothing ever happened.

Almost.

Though the one thing my mind won't let me forget...

The girl.

Midnight blue hair, violet eyes and her commanding presence still sent shivers down my spine every time I think of her.

And that symbol on her uniform--it ran circles in my mind.

So I did what anyone would do when curiosity refused to leave them alone.

I researched.

Hours and hours of digging through archives, government reports and even obscure conspiracy theories--anything that might lead to an answer.

Most of it led to nowhere...

Then, after weeks of searching, I've pieced it all together.

Though... 

I dont think this was something I was supposed to find.

"The Tenembris."

My blood ran cold.

A highly secretive group pulling strings from the shadows.

I had dug too deep.

I know too much. 

And if everything that I've uncovered about them is true...

They wouldn't let me live.

My pulse throbbed in my ears, and suddenly the walls of my room felt too close. 

I shut the laptop with a snap, breath shallow, mind racing.

But paranoia already had settled deep into my bones.

The thought of being tracked down haunted me so much, I've become paranoid of everything, shadows, fast moving vehicles, everything.

When walking to school, everything seemed normal, but I couldn’t shake this odd feeling—like I wasn’t alone. 

Still, I would scan the crowds hoping to find that girl.

I wanted to thank her.

But she was never there.

I convinced myself it was over.

Until one morning--

Walking alone to school, the streets were awfully quieter that normal.

I cast the unease aside. 

Whispered to myself,"I've already walked on this route many times, nothing to be afraid of." 

And then—

A hand covered my mouth.

Before I could react, another hand grabbed my arm and yanked me towards the shadows of the alleyway.

Pressed against the cold brick wall, my breath caught in my throat as I looked up—

Midnight-blue hair.

Violet eyes.

Up close, her grip was firm. The pressure against my mouth made it hard to scream.

Her violet eyes bore into mine—not with rage, not with uncertainty, but with absolute control.

After a moment, she slowly removed her hand, giving me just enough space to speak—but not enough to escape.

“Ren Takahashi.” she murmured, her violet eyes scanning me with an unsettling precision.

“You look well, has your wounds healed?” 

I swallowed hard, "What do you want?" I managed, forcing my voice to stay steady.

"You should have let me slip from your memory,” she continued, tone steady but edged with something unreadable. "You’ve seen too much."

“Seen what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her lips curved slightly—not in amusement, but in the way someone does when they know they’re staring at a liar.

I sighed, “Look I was curious and I wanted to thank you for saving me--”

"Curiosity," she mused, tilting her head, "is dangerous. And in your case…, very inconvenient."

She pulled out her gun.

Cocked it.

“You should’ve stayed ignorant.”

Cold metal pressed against my ribs.

My pulse slammed against my chest.

"After class," she ordered, "come back to this alleyway. Exactly 6 PM. You’re coming with me. If you refuse or try to run—" 

She pushed the barrel harder against my ribs.  

"I’ll kill you." 

I barely let out, "You’re insane."

She didn’t flinch.

"No," she corrected. "I’m thorough."

Then she loosened her grip 

"Go to class, If you suddenly disappear, people will ask questions." 

Just like that. She turns arround and walks deeper in the alleyway, while I'm left there still catching my breath.

...

The day went by like a blur 

Mostly it was just, staring blankly at the window while the teacher started the lecture.

I could feel like there are hundreds of eyes monitoring my every move.

Each passing class period my anxiety grew stronger, 

What should I do?

Should I follow her orders?

Run? 

For a moment that sounded like a good idea.

But deep down I knew

She would find me.

They would find me.

The final bell rang.

I forced myself towards that same alley.

Though when I got there...

Nothing.

Maybe she changed her mind?

Maybe she decided that I wasn't worth her time?

Then-- A black van stopped behind me, barely even had the time to react my body shoved into the dark interior of the van. 

They blindfolded me and held on my arms tightly. The door slammed shut. The engine rumbled to life. 

I heard a small chuckle, “Well, well. You followed my instructions.”   

And as the van pulled away, I realized— This was never about meeting her in that alley. 

It was about making sure I didn’t see what happened next. 

After what seemed like an eternity, the momentum of the van slowing down.

The air was different now—cooler, quieter, distant from the bustling streets I knew.

A sterile room.

And across from me—she sat on the table, one leg crossed over the other, completely at ease as if this situation wasn’t unnatural at all.

She didn’t answer immediately. 

She simply watched me, like she was deciding whether the question was even worth her time.  

"You’ve already figured out more than you should. What does it matter?" 

"It matters to me." 

"Names are useless in my world, Ren."  

A pause.  

"But if you insist on calling me something—"

"Spectre."  

The word sat between us.  

I had never heard it before.  

But something in the way she said it calm, detached, practiced—made my stomach twist.  

"Is that your code name?"

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.  

There was silence for a few seconds... 

"You know, when someone finds out about us we usually deal with them swiftly."

"But," she continued, tilting her head

slightly, "you’re also useful"

"Curiosity, Intelligence, your ability to connect dots so quickly."

"But isn't that what lead me to being here?"

She smirked, "Well that too."

She leans closer, "With the proper training we could make you into a valuable asset." 

"So you're recruiting me?" 

Her smirk widened, "We're giving you a choice. Ren." 

"Join us. Become something more than an ignorant civilian playing detective."

She sat back, crossing her legs.

"Or—"

She reached for something at her side.

"Well you already know." she chuckles.

Panic settled in the second she touched that handgun.

Other than my life, what about my family? My friends? Would they also get caught up with this too? 

I stayed quiet, breathing heavily. 

She tilted her head slightly, “You’re thinking too hard, Ren.” she mused. “But I get it. Big decision.”

With a deep exhale, I muttered, "I accept."

Then that shift in her expression.

Not surprise—satisfaction. "Smart choice."

She stands up, "Very well then, I think we're done here, send him away."

Hands tightly grabs my arms and again forcefully takes me into the van.

But before blindfolding me she stood outside the van by the door, "You're ours now Ren, this is only the beginning. You'll be contacted when the time comes." 

She shuts the door and the van drives away into the night.

...

They dumped at a random street in the heart of the city.

In the eyes of others, I was just a student heading home late.

They had no idea.  

I had come this close to being silenced for digging up something I shouldn't have.

After getting home, I immediately went to my room and just collapsed into bed.

Exhausted.

Changed.