Neon light bleeds into the dark street.

  Seven men heave heavy, loaded bags into the back of a carriage.

  One man steps back, counting the haul, eyes narrowed.

  “The girls—all of them here?”

  The others nod.

  A final man approaches, lugging one last sack. “Boss, this is it.”

  “Move. We cross into the East in ten minutes. Trade fast.”

  “Despicable!”

  A voice cuts through the air like a blade.

  The men whirl, hands on holsters. “Who’s there?”

  “Trafficking, torture... the East thrives on it. Master K.B. shows no mercy.”

  A figure stands silhouetted against a building, barely five-foot-four, hooded trench coat hiding most of her.

  “There! Kill it!”

  The men charge.

  The figure draws a short blade.

  Steel flashes; two men hit the pavement before they can scream.

  Bullets rip the air.

  The figure twists mid-stride,

  body folding sideways as a lead whizzes past.

  A sharp thrust to a throat — another man collapses,

  clutching the wound.

  They fire again.

  She vanishes into shadows,

  reappearing behind a gunman.

  The blade sinks into his spine.

  He drops like a stone.

  The survivors tremble.

  “It’s a monster! Run!”

  They scramble onto the carriage, desperate.

  The figure snaps forward.

  A man groans,

  clutching a crimson hole in his side before tumbling off the moving vehicle.

  The remaining two lash the horses; the carriage bolts into the night.

  The figure keeps pace.

  Hooves thunder against stone.

  The drivers whip the horses into frenzy. She remains a constant dark blur beside them.

  “It’s still there!” one driver shrieks. “Not human!”

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  Distance vanishes. She sprints alongside the wheels.

  Another burst of speed, feet leave the ground,

  hover.

  Gravity snaps back.

  At a sharp corner, the carriage skids. She leaps onto a brick wall, crouches, springs like a rocket.

  Hands reach for the wooden frame but fall short.

  She hits the ground, instantly back in stride.

  Then—the street empties.

  The men scan the road, lungs burning. Nothing.

  She reappears far ahead, standing in the path of the galloping horses.

  Steel sweeps low.

  Horses snort in terror.

  Legs give way.

  Carriage flips violently.

  Traffickers scramble from the wreckage, stumbling over their own feet.

  “That’s right… run, cowards,” she says, rushing to the splintered wood.

  “I have to free these girls. Quickly.”

  Later, K.B. and Patience walk through breaking morning light.

  “Why did the boss ask you to help me?” Patience looks up. “I just want Shion.”

  K.B. chuckles. “Kid, the boss wants to protect you. Be grateful.”

  Patience nods. A man slips from a nearby alley, whispering to K.B. A smirk curls on K.B.’s lips.

  “Terri bought another mansion for our hideout. Impressive.”

  The messenger vanishes. K.B turns to Patience.

  “The East is too hot. But I have a friend nearby. They’ll get us the intel we need.”

  They enter a small wooden house.

  A blind man sits on a bench. Staring at the wall.

  “So good of you to visit, K.B. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Glad to see you, Larry. I’m looking for Sillyo.”

  “Sillyo!” the man calls.

  A teenage girl steps from the back room.

  She freezes, then rushes forward, arms around K.B. “I missed you, Master.”

  Patience tilts her head. “Who is she?”

  Sillyo’s gaze snaps to Patience. In a blink, she’s behind her, hands reaching for her throat.

  K.B. catches her wrist, smile steady. “Easy. No need for that.”

  “No one should love my master… only me. Not her.”

  K.B. laughs softly. “I know, I know.”

  Her expression melts into a grin. “Master, I’ll be seventeen this year… eighteen next.”

  K.B. nods. “Roger that. Good.”

  Her eyes flash. “You’ll marry me when I’m older…” She hugs him tight again.

  K.B.’s smile tightens—controlled. “Sillyo… I’m here for a favor.”

  She steps back, perfectly still. “What is it, Master?”

  “Infiltrate the East. Find a girl named Mary.”

  “Mary Anderson,” Patience adds.

  “Indeed. No further description,” K.B. confirms.

  Sillyo rests a hand under her jaw. “That’s it? Done.” She vanishes.

  “She was your student?” Patience asks.

  “She was.”

  Larry smiles. “She’s been talking about you since you left. Fixated.”

  “She’s brilliant,” K.B. nods. “Shadow movements mastered in days. Absorbed everything in six months. Proud of her.”

  Inside a dimly lit building, men lounge on worn couches.

  “Francis, I’m waiting for Bill,” one grumbles. “Client losing patience.”

  “Be quiet,” Francis snaps. “Everyone waits.”

  The door bursts open. Sillyo enters, hood hiding her. She dissolves, reappears. Two punches crack a cheek; a third shatters a jaw. He’s slammed across the counter.

  Other men scramble. Sillyo’s voice like ice. “Mr. Transporter, I need your help.”

  A man reaches for a gun. She’s already in his face, clamps his wrist, drives a fist into his stomach. He collapses.

  The rest flee. Francis crawls, but she pins him with a leg.

  “Open your files. I need information on a girl stolen from the East.”

  “I… I know the East,” Francis stammers. “But not everyone—”

  “You will find her. Or else.”

  “Right! Yes! I will!”

  Back at the house, Larry leans forward. “K.B., take her with you. She’s worried sick.”

  “I’ll take her, Larry. But not today.”

  “When?”

  “Soon.”

  Sillyo appears instantly. “Master, I found her. Know exactly where she is.”

  K.B. narrows his eyes. “Already? You went to the East and back?”

  “I’m strong enough, Master.”

  “Then tell me.”

  “I won’t unless you take me with you.”

  “Sillyo, dangerous—”

  “Don’t say that!” she fires back. “I’ll fight anyone who stands in your way.”

  K.B. sighs. “Well…”

  A flash of motion. She’s at his side, bag packed. K.B.’s eyes widen. Did she even move?

  He forces a grin. “Okay. We leave.”

  Sillyo kneels before her father. “Dad, I’m going.”

  Larry smiles warmly. “My child… follow your master.”

  Outside, the three begin their trek. K.B. watches Sillyo, jaw tight. Tactical but impulsive. She must survive.

  “So, where to?” Patience asks.

  “The South,” Sillyo replies. “Omaha, NE. 3rd Street.”

  “That far?”

  “Stop asking,” Sillyo snaps. “I did this for my master.”

  K.B. nods. “We head South. Your sister will be saved.”

  They move out, unaware of the forces already stirring in their path.