Evan's World

Prologue

I’m running, not knowing if I could get out of here without being found again. These kidnappers clearly do not know who I am, and they do not know what I have done. As I continued to sprint through dimly lit streets, my heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. Every step I took echoed in the desolate alleyways, urging me to push harder, to escape the clutches of these unknown abductors.

They gravely underestimated me, for little did they know the power I wielded, the secrets I possess. I had merely spent years honing my skills in the shadows. My existence blurs the line between right and wrong, as my actions aim to protect those who cannot protect themselves. However, my past was damaged by a complicated web of dangerous alliances, hidden missions, and secrets that could shake the very foundation of the world if they ever came to light.

My mind raced back to the events that led me here, my captors closing in. Though, they were mistaken if they believed me to be an easy target. The few yet valuable years of training, combat, and espionage had transformed me into a force to never be reckoned with, a name whispered with equal parts admiration and trepidation among those who lurked in the same shadows. As I weaved through narrow alleyways and darted across busy intersections, memories flickered through my mind, fueling my determination. Countless enemies underestimated me before only to face the harsh reality of their mistakes. I was a master of deception and a strategist capable of turning the tables on even the most formidable opponents.

Yet, despite my few years as a phantom in the shadows, this situation felt different. These abductors seemed to move with an air of confidence and knowledge that sent shivers down my spine. Questions swirled in my mind.

How did they find me? Who exactly are they? What exactly do they know? However, dwelling on these uncertainties would only hinder my chances of survival, and I reached the outskirts of the city, where a simi-familiar terrain awaited me. Thick forests stretch into the distance, offering cover, and sanctuary. It was here that my skills truly shined, where I felt a sense of belonging and safety, far away from prying eyes.

Entering the dense undergrowth, I swiftly navigated my way through the trees, and my senses were finely trained to detect any signs of pursuit. Every rustle of leaves, every distant creak of a branch, was a telltale sign that they were still on my trail. Hours turned into an eternity as I pushed on, my body weary, but my resolve was unyielding.

Whether these kidnappers sought to exploit the secrets I held or simply eliminate me as a threat, I would not let them succeed. My survival meant the difference between exposing the truth and surrendering to shadows forever. Finally, as dawn broke on the horizon, I reached a secluded cabin nestled within the heart of the forest. Not knowing if anyone was in this random sanctuary, I rushed in quietly for there was no time to even think about leaving.

I try to climb the broken porch, my foot banging against the cracks as each piece of wood I step on crumbles underneath me. The front porch had collapsed, leaving behind a pile of rotting timbers and overgrown weeds, making it nearly impossible to climb. Though I do, struggling to keep my footing straight. Eventually, I manage to leap up into the entrance of the house, the door, its latch long rusted, hung hinges, inviting the elements to wreak havoc within. I push the door as much as I possibly can to shut, then back up from it. The floorboards creaked and groaned underneath my weight, threatening to break, their surface scarred by countless years of wear.

It’s dark here, the sound of my breath banging along the walls as I try to steady my breathing. The wooden shingles of the roof sagged and peeled, revealing patches of bare underlayment, they look like they’re going to fall on me any moment. Moss clings harshly to its surface, painting a curtain-like overgrown decay. Cobwebs hung like old honey from an extinct bee hive, from the ceiling, trapping the remains of long-abandoned insects, maybe some insects are still around. The windows were boarded up with weathered planks, casting an eerie gloom in the interior.