The journey to Anony was as bleak as the stories surrounding the area. Thenma drove past crumbling infrastructure, graffiti-covered walls, and streets that seemed untouched by progress. Nestled at the border of Asterline and the neighboring town, Anony bore the weight of neglect, its reputation tethered to poverty and its streets teeming with shadows of lost hope.Highlife Apartments came into view—a relic of better days now faded into mediocrity. The building’s dull gray facade was cracked and weathered, its once-bright signage flickering erratically. It stood as a stark reminder of the city's divide between privilege and despair.Thenma parked his car and stepped out, the stench of dampness and decay assaulting his senses. He adjusted his jacket and moved toward the entrance, his steps purposeful. The air was thick with suspicion, and the few residents lingering outside glanced at him warily before turning away.Inside, the apartment’s lobby was dimly lit, its faded wallpaper peelin

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the park as Thenma leaned against his car, waiting for Laura. The sleek, black sportscar gleamed in stark contrast to the modest surroundings, drawing a few curious glances from passersby. Thenma glanced at his watch, his thoughts still swirling around the inconsistencies he’d uncovered in Anony.Not far away, Laura stepped out of her car, glancing around to spot Thenma. She had barely taken a step when she felt the faint sensation of being watched. Across the parking lot, Alex sat in his own vehicle, his eyes fixed on her. He adjusted his seat slightly, narrowing his gaze as he watched Laura walk toward a second car—an expensive sports car that seemed out of place in this area.Alex’s brow furrowed as Laura opened the passenger door and climbed in, the sight stirring a flicker of suspicion in him.Inside the car, Laura settled into the plush leather seat, glancing at Thenma with a wry smile. “You know, me getting into this car makes me lo

The soft hum of the car’s interior light cast a faint glow over Laura Finch’s face as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles pale against the leather. She hadn’t started the engine yet, and the silence in the car was suffocating. Next to her, Thenma slouched in the passenger seat, exuding his usual air of defiance.Laura’s sharp, cold gaze bore into him, the irritation on her face unmistakable. “Don’t waste your time staring at me like that, Prosecutor Finch,” Thenma said, his voice low but laced with mockery.Laura scoffed, leaning back in disbelief. “Then stop acting like I’m your damn parent, boy. Do you have any idea how many files I had to skip to drag you out of that police station?”“Sorry, Mom,” Thenma replied dryly, tugging his leather jacket tighter around him as if to shield himself from her frustration. But his mind wasn’t on her scolding—it was still back in Anony, replaying Joey Douglas’ panicked gestures over and over.Laura shook her head, her lips presse

Thenma stared at the numbers, his breath catching in his throat. A code—coordinates, precise and deliberate. It took him a moment to process that Joey had done this. That Joey, after all his irritation and refusal to cooperate, had finally shown his hand.A quiet part of him had started to believe Joey would never come around. But this—this was proof. A silent acknowledgment. A sign that Joey was choosing to trust him.Disbelief flickered in Thenma’s chest, quickly followed by something deeper—gratitude, relief. But he didn’t let it show. He could still feel the weight of unseen eyes on him, the invisible threads of surveillance tightening around the café.He quickly memorized the sequence, engraving it into his mind before carefully pressing the sandwich slices back together. Then, without hesitation, he took a bite, forcing himself to eat naturally, to move like nothing had changed. He chewed slowly, letting the taste settle, disguising his satisfaction with the meal.And for the fi

⚠️ Content Warning: Mature & Disturbing Themes ⚠️This chapter contains graphic depictions of violence, sexual exploitation, non-consensual acts, drug use, and psychological manipulation. It explores dark themes such as human trafficking, abuse, and inhumane experiments. Reader discretion is strongly advised.If you are sensitive to such topics, please proceed with caution or consider skipping this chapter. Your well-being is important.---Laura stiffened at the sound of Kato’s voice behind her. She turned swiftly, masking her initial surprise. The way he stood there, casual yet calculated, made her uneasy—like he had been there long enough to hear every word exchanged between her and Thenma.She swallowed down her nerves, reverting to the version of herself that Kato knew: cold, distant, untouchable.“Just talking to a friend,” she said, her tone indifferent. “Inside was too loud.”Kato’s smile was polite, yet it held the weight of something unspoken. He didn’t trust her. That much