The streets stretched endlessly before them, swallowed by the fog.
Lukas ran, his breath coming in sharp gasps, his legs burning with each step. Felix was ahead of him, his movements precise and calculated, barely making a sound against the cobblestones.
Behind them, the faceless man remained still—but Lukas could still feel its presence, lingering like a stain on the air. The low whisper that had scraped against his mind was gone, but something inside him knew it wasn't finished.
They turned a corner sharply, Felix leading them down a narrow alley, the walls of the buildings pressing in on either side. The lantern light here was weak, barely holding back the encroaching darkness.
Lukas slowed, chest heaving. "What—what was that?"
Felix didn't stop moving. "Not now."
Lukas grit his teeth, his pulse still hammering against his ribs. He wanted answers, but the urgency in Felix's voice forced him to stay quiet—for now.
They moved through the alley, emerging into a small side street, where the fog wasn't as thick. The oppressive weight of being watched lessened slightly, but Lukas still felt the whisper of it on his skin, like something had already marked him.
Felix finally stopped.
He turned sharply, his blue eyes scanning the street behind them. His expression remained neutral, but Lukas could see the tension in his jaw, the slight clench of his gloved fingers.
Lukas swallowed hard. "Did we lose it?"
Felix exhaled slowly. "Maybe."
Lukas frowned. "Maybe?"
Felix finally turned to face him. "You don't lose something like that, Lukas. If it sees you, it remembers you."
Lukas felt something cold settle in his stomach.
"You're saying it'll come back."
Felix didn't confirm or deny it. He simply adjusted his coat and started walking again.
Lukas let out a frustrated breath before following.
---
The two of them walked in silence, their steps muffled by the damp cobblestones.
The streets were quiet, too quiet. Lukas had always found the stillness of the town unsettling, but after what had just happened, it felt wrong on a different level.
They passed by darkened windows, their glass reflecting the dim lantern light. Lukas's thoughts churned, replaying the moment over and over again—the way the faceless man moved, the way the whisper crawled through his skull.
Finally, he couldn't hold back his questions any longer.
"What was that thing?"
Felix didn't stop walking. "A Hollow."
Lukas's brows furrowed. "A what?"
Felix exhaled. "That's what some people call them. The ones who have no faces. The ones who don't belong."
Lukas felt his breath hitch slightly. The Hollow Observer. The title echoed in his mind like something distant, something familiar yet unreadable.
Felix continued. "They shouldn't be here, but then again, neither should we."
Lukas clenched his fists. "You're being vague again."
Felix glanced at him, smirking slightly. "You'll get used to it."
Lukas glared. "I don't want to get used to it. I want answers."
Felix hummed. "Answers don't always help."
Lukas let out a sharp breath. "That's a convenient excuse."
Felix stopped walking.
Lukas barely had time to react before Felix moved faster than he expected, closing the distance between them in an instant.
Before Lukas could step back, Felix reached out and grabbed his wrist, pressing his gloved fingers against Lukas's pulse point.
Lukas froze.
Felix's gaze was sharp, calculating. "Tell me, Lukas—do you feel different?"
Lukas tried to pull his hand back, but Felix held firm. "What?"
Felix's grip tightened slightly. "After what happened back there. After the Hollow saw you. Do you feel any different?"
Lukas hesitated.
His breath slowed. His thoughts sharpened.
He did.
It was subtle, but it was there.
The weight in his chest. The faint hum beneath his skin.
He had felt wrong ever since the Hollow looked at him.
Lukas clenched his jaw. "What does it mean?"
Felix let go of his wrist, stepping back. His smirk returned, but his expression didn't hold the usual amusement.
"It means you're running out of time."
---
They arrived at Felix's residence shortly after.
It was a small townhouse, tucked away near the outskirts of the main district. The building itself was nondescript, its exterior blending seamlessly into the surrounding architecture. It was the kind of place that was easy to overlook, easy to forget—and Lukas had the strange feeling that was intentional.
Felix unlocked the door with an old brass key, pushing it open. He stepped inside without hesitation, and Lukas followed, shutting the door behind them.
The inside was surprisingly warm. A faint glow from the fireplace flickered against the walls, casting shifting shadows across the worn furniture. Shelves lined the space, filled with old books, scattered notes, and objects Lukas didn't recognize.
Felix shrugged off his coat, tossing it over the back of a chair. "Sit."
Lukas remained standing. "I'm not a dog."
Felix smirked. "Debatable."
Lukas rolled his eyes but sat anyway.
Felix moved to a nearby desk, shifting through a pile of papers. "You want answers?"
Lukas exhaled sharply. "Obviously."
Felix picked up a small, leather-bound notebook and tossed it onto the table in front of him. "Then start with this."
Lukas frowned, picking up the book. The cover was worn, the edges frayed from frequent use.
He flipped it open.
The pages were filled with notes, sketches, symbols—records of things Lukas didn't understand. Some pages were dedicated to maps of the town, while others contained names crossed out in thick ink.
One entry caught his eye.
A rough sketch of a faceless figure, standing in the mist.
Beneath it, a single phrase was written in careful script:
"If it sees you, it remembers you."
Lukas felt his breath catch.
Felix watched him carefully. "Still want answers?"
Lukas looked up, meeting his gaze.
His pulse was steady.
His resolve didn't waver.
"Yes."
Felix smiled. "Good."
He leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms.
"Then let's start with what happens when the town forgets you."