(Jay's POV)

The moment Yuri left, something didn't feel right.

Not just strange—wrong.

I stood near the doorway of Drew's house, staring at the empty space he had just walked out of. It felt like the air itself had shifted, like something important had just slipped away and I didn't even get the chance to hold onto it.

He didn't say anything.

Not a reason.
Not a warning.
Not even a proper goodbye.

Just... left.

"Jay?"

Drew's voice broke through my thoughts, but it barely helped.

"You, okay?"

I swallowed, forcing myself to look away from the door.

"I'm fine."

The lie came out too quickly.

Too easily.

Because I wasn't fine.

Yuri wouldn't just leave like that.

Not without telling me.

Not without looking back.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling building in my chest.

"What was that about?" I muttered.

Drew sighed softly. "That's Yuri."

I shook my head immediately.
"No. Not like that."

There was a pause.

Then he said it.

"...Then maybe something's wrong."

That was enough.

Something's wrong.

The words echoed in my head as my heart started racing.

I turned toward the door again.

"I'm going."

Drew straightened. "Going where?"

"To find him."

"That's not a good idea."

"I don't care."

"Jay—"

But I wasn't listening anymore.

Because staying here felt worse.

Because doing nothing felt impossible.

Because if something was wrong—

I needed to know.

(Jay's POV – Outside)

The night was too quiet.

That was the first thing I noticed as I stepped outside.

No distant sounds.
No movement.
Just silence.

I hugged myself slightly as the cool air brushed against my skin, my eyes scanning the empty street.

"Yuri?" I called softly.

Nothing.

Of course.

I took a few steps forward, my heartbeat growing louder with each one.

And then—

That feeling.

Like someone was watching me.

I stopped.

My breath caught in my throat.

Something wasn't right.

A car engine started.

I turned sharply toward the sound.

A black car.

Parked nearby.

Too close.

Too still.

I frowned slightly. "Hello?"

No answer.

The car door opened slowly.

My instincts screamed at me to run.

But before I could—

A hand grabbed me from behind.

Hard.

Rough.

My eyes widened as another hand clamped tightly over my mouth.

"Mmmph—!"

"Got her."

Panic exploded inside me.

I struggled, kicking, trying to break free—but it was useless.

They were stronger.

Faster.

Prepared.

My vision blurred as fear took over, my thoughts racing wildly.

No.

No, no, no—

This wasn't happening.

This couldn't be happening.

They dragged me toward the car.

I tried to scream again, but it came out muffled.

Tears filled my eyes—not from weakness, but from the sudden, crushing realization—

This wasn't random.

This was planned.

The car door opened wider.

And then—

Everything went dark.

(Yuri's POV)

I didn't stop walking until I reached the end of the street.

Only then did I slow down.

My jaw tightened.

My hands clenched.

I shouldn't have left like that.

But I didn't have a choice.

My phone buzzed again.

I already knew who it was.

Still, I looked.

Unknown Number

You're late.

Another message came in immediately.

Don't make us come to you.

My grip on the phone tightened.

For a second, I closed my eyes.

And there she was.

Jay.

The way she looked at me before I left.

Confused.

Hurt.

Trusting.

That made it worse.

"...I'm sorry," I muttered under my breath.

Because if I stayed—

She would've been dragged into this.

And that was the one thing I couldn't let happen.

No matter what it cost me.

I exhaled slowly, forcing the thoughts away.

This wasn't about me anymore.

It was about surviving what came next.

About facing them.

The Shark Loan members.

And him.

Kaizer.

I opened my eyes again, my expression hardening.

Then I kept walking.

Straight into the darkness.

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