Chapter 8: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

The city felt different when Ren chased.

Quieter. Like it knew what was coming.

Saya moved fast—burner phones, stolen cars, safe houses that expired by the hour. She wasn’t panicking. She was executing an exit plan.

Akio tracked without speaking.

“She knows your habits,” he said. “That makes her dangerous.”

They cornered her near the docks, fog crawling over rusted containers. Saya turned when she saw Ren.

“You should’ve stayed running,” she said.

“You sold us,” Ren replied.

She laughed. “You were never part of the deal. You were payment.”

Sirens wailed in the distance. Not police.

Buyers.

Saya reached into her jacket.

Ren didn’t think.

The shot echoed once.

She fell.

Ren stared at the gun in his hand, breath shaking. The city didn’t react. It never did.

Akio placed a hand on his shoulder. “You crossed it.”

Ren nodded slowly.

Running was over.