Beyond The Edge of Instincts

Chapter 4: Stranger from the Shadows

Luna slowly regained consciousness, feeling a cool breeze brush against her face. Her wrists were tied with rope, and the air carried the scent of incense and tobacco. As she opened her eyes, she found herself in a dimly lit room decorated in an old oriental style: rugs, wooden furniture, and candles casting soft light across the space.

Before her stood a man—the same mysterious stranger she had glimpsed earlier in one of the photographs in Max's room. Now he was here, in the flesh, exuding both danger and allure. Tall, dark-skinned, dressed in an immaculate suit with piercing eyes, he radiated a subtle but undeniable threat.

"Good morning, Luna," he greeted her with a light accent, his voice low and calm. "Apologies for the rough introduction, but it was necessary."

Luna tensed, struggling against the ropes, but the man only smirked.

"You won't free yourself, so don't waste your strength. And don't be afraid—I won't harm you, as long as you listen to me."

"Who are you?" Luna rasped, panic rising in her throat. "Why did you kidnap me?"

The man didn't answer immediately. He paced slowly around the room, as if carefully considering how far he should take the conversation. Then his eyes met hers again.

"Call me Nikolai," he said calmly. "We have a shared purpose, and I want to help you... understand who you really are."

Luna frowned, sensing that this conversation would only raise more questions.

"Why does everyone talk in riddles? What purpose? And why me? What am I supposed to be in all of this?" Her voice quivered with frustration and anger.

Nikolai stepped closer, crouching in front of her. His gaze softened, though his words carried a dark weight.

"Because, Luna, the truth is too heavy for you right now. But I promise, you'll know everything soon enough. Or you'll die, if you're not ready."

He sat cross-legged across from her, smiling as if he had all the time in the world.

"My name is Nikolai, but my friends call me Nik. I've been watching you for a while," he said calmly. "And I realized you've become part of a game that's far beyond you."

He chose his words carefully, as if every phrase carried consequences.

"Alex... You don't mean as much to him as you think," Nikolai continued, locking eyes with her. "You're just a girl who caught his attention. A coincidence. But everything became far more complicated when Max got involved."

Luna stiffened.

"Max? How do you know him?"

Meanwhile, across town, in a dimly lit room with a crackling fireplace, Alex and Rita sat at a bar. Alex twirled a glass of whiskey between his fingers, his gaze fixed on the flames. Rita flicked ash from her cigarette, watching him closely.

"You're really into this girl, aren't you?" she asked with a sly squint.

Alex chuckled.

"Come on, Rita. She just caught my eye at the right moment. Nothing serious."

"You say that," Rita exhaled smoke, "but we both know that when someone catches your interest, it turns into a problem. You forget about your work."

"She's just... interesting," Alex admitted, though there was no affection in his voice—just mild intrigue and the thrill of a game.

Rita scoffed.

"Let's not turn this into a soap opera. If Max finds out you're using her for fun, it won't end well."