Chapter 9 – Night Stalker

The forest at night wasn’t quiet—it was alive. Shadows stretched unnaturally, eyes glinting in the moonlight. Kairo crouched behind a tree, chains still hanging loosely around his wrists.

A growl echoed. He tightened his fists. “Yo… come at me, n***a. I ain’t scared.”

A wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes leapt from the bushes. Pain surged as its claws tore into his arm, but he gritted his teeth. The familiar energy flared in his chest, feeding strength into his muscles.

Hell yeah… pain makes me stronger.

After the fight, as he caught his breath, he heard a rustle behind the trees. Another figure, a girl about his age, stumbled out, bleeding on her arm.

“Help… please,” she whispered.

Kairo froze. Usually, survival was solo, but the street instinct to protect sometimes kicked in.

“Stay down and shut up if you want to live,” he muttered. But he extended a hand.

“I… I’m Mira,” she said.

He pulled her up, muttering, “Don’t die on me, n***a. I don’t do rescue missions, but I ain’t lettin’ you get eaten either.”