Invisible String

Prologue

The street was crowded with townsfolk hurried past, and horses pulling wooden carts. Merchants shouted, offering fresh loaves, meats, and silks from far-away lands. The smell of baked goods and smoke filled the air, while children ran around, laughing. It was a busy day in the old town square.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Hayden strolled steadily, his dark cloak flowing behind him. The hood hid his face, keeping him hidden from view. He took his time, looking at the colorful market stalls. The evening chill wrapped around him, but he didn't mind.

While Hayden moved through the busy street, a little boy suddenly appeared beside him. The boy looked thin and dirty, tugging at the hem of Hayden's cloak.

"Please, sir," he said softly. "You have to follow me. I need your help." His eyes were wide and full of hope, waiting for Hayden to respond.

Hayden paused and looked down at the boy, curiosity etched on his face. "Follow you?" he asked gently. "Where do you need to go?"

He could see the urgency in the boy's eyes, and though he felt uncertain, he sensed the boy needed help. "Alright, lead the way," he added, ready to see what the boy had in mind.

The little boy led Hayden through the crowd, guiding him into a dark, narrow alley. As they stepped into the shadows, an uneasy feeling crept over Hayden. The walls felt too close, and he glanced back at the busy street, but he pushed the thought aside. The boy needed his help, and he couldn't turn back now.

Just as Hayden was about to ask the boy where they were going, a sudden blow hit the back of his head. He stumbled forward and fell hard onto the ground, the impact stunning him. Dazed and confused, he tried to understand what had just happened, but the world blurred as he collapsed, and the noise of the bustling street disappeared.

In the quiet alley, quick footsteps echoed as two figures appeared, their faces hidden by hoods. They whispered to each other, glancing back at the street to make sure no one was watching.

One of the figures knelt beside Hayden. "He's unconscious," the person said in a low voice, a smirk on his face. It was the same figure who had struck Hayden with a thick wooden stick. "Let's move him before someone sees."

The second figure looked at the little boy, who was watching from the shadows. "You can go now," he said sharply. "We don't need you anymore."

The boy hesitated, fear in his eyes, then turned and slipped away into the darkness. The two figures lifted Hayden and carried him deeper into the alley, heading toward a waiting carriage. The wooden wheels creaked in the quiet. They tossed him into the back, where it was dark.

One figure climbed in beside Hayden while the other took the reins and sat in front. "Let's go," he said, flicking the reins to start the horses. The carriage jolted as it rolled away from the busy streets.

As they left, the lights of the town faded behind them, swallowed by the night. The figure inside the carriage kept a close eye on Hayden.

The carriage rolled on for what felt like hours, the sound of the horses' hooves echoing on the dirt road. As they traveled further from the town, the busy streets turned into to dense trees. Night had already fallen, and darkness enveloped the path as they took a narrow trail into a thick forest.

The two figures exchanged glances, their faces still hidden under their hoods. The man in front pulled the reins tighter, guiding the horses deeper into the woods. The tall trees blocked out most of the light, leaving the road dim and shadowy.

The ride was long and bumpy, jostling Hayden slightly in the back. The figures remained silent, focused on the winding path ahead, occasionally looking back to ensure their captive stayed unconscious. The air grew cooler as they moved further into the forest.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached a small clearing. The man jumped down and moved to the back of the carriage, helping his companion lift Hayden out. They placed him on the ground under the trees, surrounded by the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls.

"Just one more thing to do, and we'll get our huge payment," the man said, glancing around to check for anyone nearby before looking back at his companion. "Where's the thing?"

The companion paused for a moment, then began rummaging through the back of the carriage. "It should be here," he said, moving blankets and old tools aside. He sounded slightly worried but maintained a calm demeanor.

"It's not here?" the man asked, his frustration growing. "We need it to finish this job!"

"Don't panic," the companion replied, keeping his voice steady. "I'm sure I left it somewhere in the carriage. Just let me check again." He continued searching but found nothing, each items he pushed aside only adding to the tension in the air.

The man grew impatient, feeling the weight of the moment. "We can't leave without it!"

"Relax," the companion said, rummaging through the carriage. "It's not the end of the world. Just give me a moment."

The man's irritation boiled over. "This is ridiculous! What are we going to do now?"

The companion paused, a thought striking him. "What if we just leave him here?"

"What? Leave him?" the man asked, confusion mixed with anger. "Are you crazy? What if someone finds him?"

"Exactly," the companion replied, his confidence evident. "We slip away. No one will come looking for him in this part of the forest. And even if someone does notice, we'll already be long gone."

The man hesitated. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"It's our best option," the companion insisted. "Without the item, we can't risk being caught. If we leave him, we can still get paid without drawing attention."

With a reluctant nod, the man agreed. They looked at Hayden one last time before turning away.

The two figures climbed into their carriage, the wood creaking as they settled in. The horses started moving, and the man glanced back at the unconscious figure on the ground.

As they left the forest, darkness surrounded Hayden, the rustling leaves the only sound in the quiet night. The carriage continued down the path, and soon, the two figures were gone, leaving the woods still and empty.