Mark remembered when he first saw the Tear Stealer on television. He was one of the first Evolved to show themselves in a stately manner—not threatening anyone's lives.

He stood on the president's right side, red eyes sweeping calmly over the crowd. His black robes draped down his fit form, hovering above the floor elegantly. Despite his youth, power and authority bled through his aura, outmatching the president's.

The Tear Stealer's appearance was the first glimpse of hope for normal people to be one with the Evolveds, rather than fear their veneer of power. That their fear needn't exist.

Mark pulled himself from his thoughts, staring at the article on his laptop. Further information on the Tear Stealer.

Despite the Evolved's appearance on TV, not all hopes were answered. Six years later—now—and relations between normal people and the Evolved remained rocky. Barely would authorities intervene in cases concerning the Evolved, which gave them freedom to do what they pleased.

Mark hummed as he read through the article, scratching his scruff. Same age, similar features... He shook his head as he couldn't find any weaknesses.

People are too scared to find out.

He browsed his computer and went onto the next article, which began in fine print like all the rest: "All of the following information is based only on oral and visual evidence. There have been no official tests to conduct the veracity of the following information."

Mark sighed, shaking his head. "I don't even know where he lives," he muttered, typing in 'Tear Stealer location.' Only vague whereabouts appeared; paltry locations. Photos of a grand mansion—desolate, alone. No guarantee that the Evolved lived there.

He debated texting Amy if she knew anyone who spied on the Evolveds, leaning back in his seat. After a bit of mulling over the idea, he pulled up Amy's contact and texted the simple words, "I have another favor."

A few minutes later, she replied in the form of a call, and Mark answered, putting the phone by his ear.

"What is it this time?" she asked through the line, a faint sigh in her tone. Mark hesitantly smiled.

"I wanted to know if you have any connections," he said. "With people who study the Evolved."

A silence came over the line.

"What do you have to do with the Evolveds?"

Mark hesitated for a moment. "Well, I'm curious—"

"You're never just curious, Mark," said Amy. "You learn things to take action."

Mark's fingers hovered over the necklace in his pocket, not answering. A pause fell between them.

"You want to interact with one," said Amy, voice quiet. "Mark, is that what you're planning?"

Mark sighed, waving a hand in the air. "So what if I am?"

"You do realize," said Amy, "that once you make contact with an Evolved, they don't forget you."

Mark huffed. "Go big or go home."

Another stunned silence cut through the line.

"Are you..." Amy paused. "Are you planning on killing an Evolved?"

"I just want information on one," said Mark, half-lying. Amy huffed.

"You're a bad liar, you know that?" she laughed.

"And yet I've never been caught," Mark chided back. Amy gave a dismissive sigh.

"Fine. I have just the girl for what you need."

"Thanks, Amy," said Mark with a smile, inwardly cheering in victory.

"Yeah, whatever," she said. Before he hung up, she added, "And Mark? If you're really going through with killing an Evolved—you better make history."

Mark smirked. "Oh, I will. Thanks again."

"Be safe."

They hung up, and seconds later, a message popped up on Mark's phone.

"Pam," he breathed, adding the short name to his contacts. He went into his messages, sending a simple text of who he was and what he wanted, then laid back, awaiting their reply.

———

"I saw what you did," said Ethan as he walked into Mark's house, "on the news."

Mark smiled, closing the door behind him and watching Ethan walk into the living room. "I'm careful, like always," he reassured, and Ethan only laughed.

"I'm not worried about you," he said. "The way you killed Calvin, though... that was really gruesome."

Mark shrugged and sat down on the couch, Ethan following suit. "I've seen worse."

Ethan shook his head. "Anyway, that's not what I came here for. I wanted to tell you something."

"If it's about killing the Tear Stealer—"

"I know where he lives."

Mark's brows shot up, and he faced Ethan. "You—what?"

Ethan sighed, shifting on the couch. "Look, I know I told you not to go after him, but I have a feeling you won't listen to me. So, I reached out to one of my friends, and she gave me all the info she had on him. Where he goes the most, shops, hangs around. And where he lives."

Mark blinked, mouth bobbing up and down. "Does your friend's name happen to be Pam?"

Ethan rose a brow. "Pamela? Amy's friend?"

Mark nodded, and Ethan shook his head.

"I—no, I didn't. Pam only knows where the Tear Stealer lives." He drew himself back, scratching the back of his neck and glancing to the side. "I... I got my information from another Evolved."

Mark's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. "What?"

"I wanted to get the best information!" defended Ethan, raising his hands in front of his chest. "Going after an Evolved is serious business, Mark. You can't just go in blind and kill yourself!"

"I—I'm not mad, I'm just—" Mark vaguely shook his head, blinking fast. "I'm just shocked, is all. Even after telling me not to go after him, you still..." He gave a faint smile. "Thank you."

Ethan blinked, hesitantly returning the smile. A thought mulled in the back of Mark's head, and his brows began to furrow. "Wait... you said you got this information from an Evolved."

"Yeah?"

Mark swallowed. "Why would they give you information like that? I-I mean—freely without question. Don't they look out for each other?" He stared at Ethan, dread coating his throat. "If you asked for information on the Tear Stealer—they'll think you're out for him. Ethan, what if they try to kill you—"

"That—that won't happen," said Ethan, shaking his head and waving a hand in dismissal. "The Evolveds are just like us—not everyone helps each other out. People can hate or like certain people."

"Well, what did the Tear Stealer do to make his own kind hate him?" Mark muttered, lapsing into silence. He glared at the floor in thought, running a hand through his hair. Ethan shifted beside him.

"I asked the Evolved the same question," he said, gazing steadily at Mark's figure. "She didn't really say anything, but I'm thinking they're arguing over something."

"Probably power," chuckled Mark. He turned to Ethan. "You're sure you're safe?"

He nodded, sending Mark a reassuring smile. "I promise," he said. "The way she spoke to me... she knew I wasn't a threat."

He clapped the side of Mark's arm, laughing and cutting through the gravity of the atmosphere. "Now stop being all dark and gloomy! Let's discuss the next person to murder." He looked Mark in the eye. "Together."

Mark's eyes glinted in excitement, and he sighed, letting go of the subject. "Thanks again, Ethan," he said.

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a wonderful dayy,
Kassian