Chapter 1 – From the Streets

The streets didn’t forgive mistakes. Broken sidewalks, flickering streetlights, and trash blowing down alleys like confetti no one wanted. Kairo Hayes adjusted the strap of his backpack and scanned the corners. He had learned early: survival was instinct.

“Man, you walking like the cops about to jump you,” Lucas said, bouncing beside him, eyes wide at the crumbling buildings.

“Better than walking like you bout to get your ass beat by a squirrel, Pretty Boy,” Kairo shot back, smirking.

Lucas laughed. “Yo, at least I don’t smell like I wrestled a dumpster this morning.”

“Dumpster or not, I’m still faster than you,” Kairo muttered, eyes flicking to a shadowed corner where a stray dog barked at someone passing.

The streets were alive with danger: stray dogs, distant sirens, and shadows that could hide trouble. Lucas? He’d probably step right into it.

“Yo, check that graffiti,” Lucas said, pointing at a wall. “Look at the detail! This is… artistic. World-building!”

“World-building? Bruh, it’s a wall some n***a tagged. Ain’t no plot twist,” Kairo muttered.

They laughed. Laughing kept you human.

School ended, but the streets never slept. Kairo’s apartment smelled of smoke and cheap liquor. His father was drunk, yelling at the TV. Kairo moved quietly, like always. Lucas stared at the peeling walls.

“This is… um… immersive. Like a slice-of-life, but darker,” Lucas said awkwardly.

“Bruh, it’s called reality. You ain’t in some anime,” Kairo muttered.

Then came the shot.

A sharp crack split the air. Pain blossomed in Kairo’s chest, hot and bright. He stumbled. Lucas screamed. Everything blurred, the streetlights smeared into streaks of color. And then—darkness swallowed them.