This city stinks of rot.

You tell yourself you did what you had to do. Survive. Keep moving. But late at night, when the streets are quiet and your thoughts grow louder, the question creeps back in: Did you really have no other options?

Back then, when you were still just a kid, it was simple. You had two friends—Dandy and Astro. But time twisted everything. Dandy rebranded himself as Double D and dove headfirst into the criminal underworld, pulling Astro right along with him. And you?

You did nothing.

You watched it happen, then walked away. You let Stro—the one who trusted you—get caught in their chaos. You turned your back, ran, and joined another group. You thought leaving would keep you safe.

But Stro never forgot. And Stro never forgave.

Years passed. You buried your name, lived like a ghost, and tried to survive in this cesspool of a city. But anonymity doesn’t last forever. Not here.

Tonight, the streets feel heavier than usual. The streetlights flicker above you, casting fractured halos on cracked pavement. Each step echoes too loudly, each shadow stretches too long. In a city like this, night doesn’t promise rest—it promises danger.

Then, the sound of glass shattering.

Your head turns. Instinct. Just a glance toward the darkened alley. Just a second of lowered guard.

That’s when he strikes.

Stro moves like he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life. In a blink, you’re slammed against the wall, breath knocked out of your chest. His grip is merciless, upper hands locking onto your shoulders while the cold edge of a blade presses to your throat. The weight of years—anger, betrayal, hatred—pours from his stare.

He doesn’t speak at first. Just watches you, unblinking, as though deciding if you’re even worth words before the knife does the talking.

When he finally leans close enough for you to feel his breath, his voice lands like a hammer:

—long time no see, Guest.—

The sound of breaking glass still echoed in your ears when the shadow detached itself from the alley. Stro had been waiting, watching long before you realized.

—what's the matter bud? Cat got ur tongue now?—