God, it was like New York.

Everyone walked with a purpose, eyes set towards the path they were headed. While some of them smiled or chatted amongst friends, they looked much more severe here—not as friendly as that village. It was clear the people here were on Antinstine's side.

"There's a few main attractions in this city," said Equinox, hooking her arm in Mark's and guiding him down the sidewalk. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to keep calm. His skin burned, and he suppressed the urge to glance behind his back. No matter how untrue it was, he felt like everyone was staring right through him—like they knew what he really was.

"Central is where all the shops and main apartments are," said Equinox. She led Mark towards one of the shops on the corner, pressing them against the wall to avoid getting run into. She motioned with her gaze at a skyscraper in the far distance. "Think of it as human malls. It's where everyone goes to hang out."

Mark gazed towards Central, nodding.

"Every week, they hold tournaments," said Equinox. "Mostly reckless teenagers join, eager to show their powers. But sometimes there's worthy opponents."

Mark swallowed at that, raising a brow. That wasn't like "human" malls at all.

"And... why?" he asked.

"For fun," said Equinox, and she gazed over at him like nothing was wrong. Mark only gave a slow nod, trying not to show his shock. Equinox elbowed him at that.

"Occasionally, Antinstine sends someone down to spectate the tournaments," she said. "Some Evolveds join in hopes of being chosen to live in his mansion. To join his disgusting cause."

Mark exhaled and nodded, gazing at his surroundings. "Alright. Next?"

Equinox smiled at that, and she tugged him away from the wall. They walked down a bustling crosswalk, narrowly avoiding a car that threatened to run them over.

"Next is the Market," she said.

The cramped buildings seemed to give a little, opening up into a grand, echoing square. It was much busier here—nearly packed. It was impossible to walk down the countless aisles without brushing against someone.

"Evolveds stock up on their essentials here," she said. They slowed down and lingered at one of the stands, watching as the cashier handed an Evolved a vial of a glowing green substance. She took it with webbed hands, the gills at her neck fluttering as she smiled and walked off.

"Every Evolved is different, as you know," said Equinox. They watched as another customer just like the gilled-woman sidled up to the stand. "But that doesn't mean there aren't similar abilities."

The customer pointed towards one of the vials, and the cashier grabbed it.

"Some Evolveds with the ability to breathe in water actually need assistance in regular air... If they go too long without exposure to water, their body reacts negatively," said Equinox. "The stuff in those vials allows them to last in this air for a few weeks without having to dunk their heads in water."

Mark nodded, and Equinox tugged him along the Market. They passed by many more shops, most of them packed with vials, herbs, and books. Up ahead, a crowd of Evolveds lingered around a shop, their murmurs louder than the roar of the Market.

Mark gazed at the crowd, catching eyes with a young albino girl running the stand. She seemed to expect the gaze, staring at him with bright blue eyes as he passed. He swallowed, but before the girl could stare at him any longer, Equinox tugged him around the corner.

Mark brushed the odd encounter aside and forced himself to focus on Equinox, still adjusting to the roaring noise of the city.

"Let's get a drink," said Equinox. She led them down the next aisle, stopping by a stand without a line. She gazed up at the menu, and Mark's heart raced as the two male cashiers stared at them.

"What'll you two have?" asked the cashier, gazing between them. Mark glanced up at the menu, unable to recognize most of the drink names.

"I'll have a Bloodshine," said Equinox, moving her gaze from the menu to the cashier. She fished out a few coins from her dress pocket, glancing over at him. "What about you, Viper?"

Mark's breath hitched, and he chose whatever his eyes landed on. "A—striker, please."

The cashier nodded, and he took the coins that Equinox gave him. While the second cashier readied the drinks, the first gazed Mark up and down, eyes lingering on the black markings of his arms.

"A bit odd for someone like you to order a Striker," he said. Equinox said nothing, glancing at Mark to see how he'd react. "One of those weird cases, are you?"

Mark was about to waver, but instead, he decided to scoff.

Turn your fear into fuel.

"A bit rude to ask such a question," he said firmly, staring the cashier in the eye. The cashier straightened himself, then glanced down at Mark's hands as if he were preparing for an attack. Equinox stepped forward and rested a hand on Mark's arm, going along with his act. She stared at the cashier and rose a thin brow, reddish eyes flashing.

"My apologies," said the cashier, bowing his head. At that, the second man finished their drinks, setting them on the counter. The cashier bowed his head, and Mark sent him a sour smile as he grabbed both of their drinks.

As they walked off, Equinox snickered and elbowed Mark in the side. She grabbed the deep red drink from Mark's hands, sipping from a black straw.

"Good job," she said. As she drank her Bloodshine, her normally-pale face seemed to rise with color. "You're blending right in."

Mark glanced down at his drink—a light blue, slushy-like beverage. He sniffed it, surprised it smelled oddly sweet.

"What did that guy even mean?" he asked, keeping his voice quiet for only Equinox to hear. "Are these drinks—"

"They have benefits, yes," said Equinox. "Everything in the Market has some type of perk."

Mark's brows furrowed, but before he could question further, Equinox jerked him to the side. He yelped, and Equinox shoved a hand to his mouth.

"Don't. Move," she breathed. She pressed them into one of the stone walls, hiding them in the shadows. The other Evolveds paid no mind to them, continuing about their day or stopping before an attraction. They seemed to crowd around a certain one—an open market stand.

It had no furniture—just a rug and an array of spindly dolls. Wind chimes hung off the straw roof, along with other string-like ornaments.

Mark followed Equinox's gaze, finding the owner of the market. It was Prada, his yellow eyes glittering under the sunlight like embers. He was smiling at the children kneeling around him, picking up the most gangly-looking doll. All twigs, its expression gaping and horrifying—like a starved child.

"He's one of Antinstine's men," said Equinox under her breath.

Mark swallowed, eyes trailing up Prada's angular, antelope-like horns. They were jet black, seeming to blend into the shadows of the market stand. Occasionally, they'd scrape on the straw ceiling, the strands of hay fluttering to the ground. It made Mark flinch—having thought of those sharp horns gashing into something more... alive.

"I-I thought Evolveds were humans—"

Equinox gave a curt laugh at that. "They are," she whispered. "Some of them, though..."

Prada gave a toothy smile at a child, setting the horrifying doll in front of him. He hovered his hands over the doll, hands relaxed—then his fingers suddenly tensed and tightened, every muscle and line of his hand visible through his dark skin.

Mark's heart dropped at that.

The red marks on Prada's face began to glow, and the doll came to life. Unlike the jerkiness of a normal puppet with strings, the doll moved with lifelike grace. Every movement calculated, twitching in the slightest, but smooth. Like a clay animation.

"Is..." Mark's brows furrowed. "What's his—"

"Bloodbender," said Equinox. "Those dolls aren't just made of sticks, Viper."

Bile rose in Mark's throat, and he watched as Prada made the doll do a pirouette. It pranced over to one of the children, waving at them. The child burst into giggles, waving back.

"The dolls have blood in them."

Mark put a hand to his mouth, his stomach churning. "I-I can't—"

"I didn't expect him to be here, either," Equinox snapped. She grabbed Mark's arm, gazing at the passing crowd. "We have to be discrete."

Mark nodded, eager to be as far away from the sight as possible.

If Prada could do that to dolls, with only droplets of blood—

Prada glanced up then, catching Mark's eye.

Then what could he do with a living body?

Equinox tugged Mark into the crowd, and they left the Market with haste, escaping smoothly.

"It was dangerous bringing you here from the start," said Equinox. "But I had no idea Antinstine allowed his members to leave the mansion these days. Let alone run stands."

Mark glanced over his shoulder, practically panting. Equinox took his hand and tugged him through the city again, heading towards Central.

"W-wait—we're not done yet?" Mark stuttered.

"Viper," was all Equinox said, and Mark sighed and obeyed, getting himself back into character.

Cars and bikes flew past them, and Evolveds brushed and bumped into them.

"We're gonna get something to eat," said Equinox, and Mark rose his brows.

"But—we have drinks—"

Equinox knocked the Striker out of Mark's hands, the drink splashing across the floor, and an Evolved waved a hand at the litter and disposed of it. Mark watched with crazed fascination.

"I—"

Equinox dragged him towards a little cafe—not too busy but not too sparse. Just enough for people to stare at them entering.

The bell rang above their heads, and a few heads turned. Mark swallowed and straightened himself, pulling his hand away from Equinox's.

Equinox smiled at that but said nothing, finding them a table and motioning for Mark to sit. He warily obeyed, taking the seat that'd give him a view of the entire restaurant. A waitress sidled up as they sat, her nails clicking and growing longer as she pulled out her notebook.

"What'll you have?" she said, gazing down at them through her lashes.

They placed their orders, and as the waitress headed to the kitchen, Equinox turned in her seat to look at the other customers in the cafe.

"Look around, examine," she said softly. Mark obeyed, following her gaze and glancing at a couple chatting away and eating by the windows.

The woman on the right didn't even use her hands; the fork hovered at her side and she'd open her mouth to take a bite.

"A High Evolved," Mark muttered, and Equinox nodded.

The other woman didn't display such abilities, using her utensil to eat. Though as she smiled, the single dots beside her eyes seemed to glow.

"She could be one of Antinstine's," said Equinox, turning back to face Mark. "It's hard to tell these days, I suppose."

Mark nodded, still gazing at the couple. When they received their food, he still examined the Evolveds in the cafe, taking every bite with caution. Equinox would watch Mark through the corner of her eye, picking up on his observations. It made her smile—that, despite being so unwilling for the task ahead, he made sure he knew what he was getting into.

Before they left the cafe, Mark had picked up some more Evolved mannerisms, holding his chin up higher. When Equinox would glance at him, he'd waver, unsure of his actions, but she'd send him a reassuring smile.

"Let's go, Viper," she said, pushing the door open and leading him back into the bustling city. The air was chiller now, the sun threatening to set very soon. At this time of day, the lights were already brighter—sparkling like crystals—and Mark couldn't help but stare in awe.

"We have one last stop," said Equinox, stopping at the edge of the sidewalk and holding out a hand. A taxi rolled up this time, and they sidled into it, handing the driver some coins. "It'll be quick."

"Where to?" asked the driver, and Equinox leaned forward, smiling as she brushed her hair behind her ear.

"X Amani," she said.

Thank you so much for reading, dears!

Have a wonderful day and stay safe out there!

-Kass xoxo