Beyond The Edge of Instincts

Chapter 2: Secrets of the Night

"How tired I am of all this," Luna whispered, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

She threw on her jacket and glanced at the clock. 8:45. She needed to hurry. Locking the door behind her, she quickly descended the stairs. The stairwell was dark, lit only by a flickering bulb above the entrance.

As she stepped outside, the wind slapped her face—cold and sharp. The streets were nearly deserted, and even the city's distant hum seemed muffled.

"It's just a party," she reminded herself, quickening her pace.

At the corner of her building, she encountered Yurka again. He was leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. When he noticed her, his tired eyes met hers.

"And where are you headed on a night like this?" he mumbled, his gaze lingering on her dress.

"Meeting some friends," Luna replied curtly, trying to avoid a conversation.

"Be careful out there, girl," Yurka said, tossing the cigarette butt to the ground and crushing it with his boot. "Nights like these can be restless."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said with a faint smile.

He nodded, not intending to stop her, but there was something unsettling in his eyes, as if he knew more than he let on.

The park greeted her with silence and emptiness. Luna approached the iron fence, glancing around. In the distance, she saw the silhouettes of people. Her heart began to race as she headed toward them.

At this point, there was no turning back or second-guessing her decision. She had come for answers, even if she didn't yet know the questions she needed to ask.

Slowing her steps, Luna approached the group. By a bench stood Rita—a tall girl with bright pink hair that made her stand out even in the dim light. Rita's style was always provocative: a leather jacket, a short skirt, and heavy boots. She worked with Luna at the bar but usually kept her distance. Tonight, however, she exuded an unexpected friendliness.

"Luna! You came!" Rita shouted, waving her hand. "I thought you wouldn't dare."

"Hi," Luna said quietly, her eyes shifting to the two guys standing nearby.

The first, Artem, was tall and lean, his blond hair sticking out in every direction as if he'd never bothered to comb it. He wore dark jeans and a hoodie, his expression calm but focused. He looked like someone who didn't waste words, his face betraying a quiet wariness.

"This is Artem," Rita introduced him. "He's new with us, but he's reliable."

Artem nodded at Luna in greeting but said nothing. His silent presence radiated a subtle chill that made her uneasy.

"And this is Alex," Rita added, motioning to the second guy.

Alex was completely different: tall, athletic, with slicked-back black hair. His piercing green eyes locked onto Luna with an intense, scrutinizing gaze. He wore a sleek leather jacket and tailored pants, exuding the air of someone accustomed to luxury. Yet there was an undercurrent of danger about him, like a man who solved his problems with force.

"Alex comes from a... let's say, influential family," Rita said with a sly grin, deliberately vague. "You'll figure out the rest yourselves."

"Pleasure to meet you," Alex said softly, his voice steady and confident, as he extended his hand to Luna.

She hesitated for only a moment before shaking his hand. Alex's skin was warm, but his touch carried an unusual tension, as if he were trying to convey something more profound than a simple greeting.