Mark read the paper that Ethan left behind, noting all of the Tear Stealer's most frequently-visited locations.

    "Centauri Park," he muttered, not familiar with the place. He stowed the paper in his drawer, pulling up his phone to search for the location.

    53 minutes away.

    Mark frowned at the time but shrugged. If he were to kill this Evolved, he had to learn his patterns; the way he moved, how he reacted to different stimuli...

    "Looks like we're going on a road trip," he said, glancing out the window. The beginnings of evening trickled with warm light.

    Mark got himself ready, grabbing his keys and a jacket, and loaded into the car. He opened the garage, checking his mirrors, and backed out of the house.

    Through the cameras, Eyes perked up. "He's leaving," she said, waving her hand to catch Dark's attention. The Tear Stealer quickly stooped down, robes swaying, and watched the screen. Mark's Tesla rolled down the street, turning into the highway.

    "Can you pick up on any GPS signals?" asked the Tear Stealer, kneeling by Eyes and resting his arm on her desk. She glanced at him for a moment, turning back to the screen.

    "Let me see," she said, unable to help the smile on her face. What Xilef told her was right—Dark's interest in the human was like that of a lovesick puppy.

    The screen shimmered as she squinted, picking up on Mark's phone. The navigator popped up on a second screen to their right, revealing the current route.

    "He's heading to Centauri Park," said Eyes, adjusting her glasses. "It's quite the drive."

    Dark went to his feet, bristling. "I visit the park often," he said, glancing down at Eyes, who broke her attention from the screens. "It's only minutes from us."

    Eyes blinked, brows raising. "Do you think he's on his way to kill you?"

    The Tear Stealer's jaw tightened, and he glanced aside. "It's a possibility." He straightened himself, glancing at the GPS on the second screen.

    "He'll be here soon," he said, looking at Eyes. "Keep me posted on his location and what he does. Lux and I are going on a little adventure."

    "Should I tell the others to prepare for the human?"

    Dark shook his head. "No need. If he's stopping at the park, I'll have time to tell you anything that changes."

    Eyes nodded, and the Tear Stealer headed down the hall, robes playing with the shadows of the mansion.

———

"You have reached your destination: Centauri Park."

    Mark slowed to a halt, parking on the side of the road. He took in his surroundings, something twisting with wrong in his chest. For the last ten minutes of his drive, everything went silent—little sign of life. Despite being in the middle of a neighbourhood, everything bled with a sense of quiet, danger, and power. No one came out of their houses—doors closed, blinds shut tight. Even the white paint echoed with lonesomeness.

    Mark clambered out of the car, locking it. It beeped, the sound ringing down the street as if he were in a narrow hallway. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, walking over to the park sign.

    Centauri Park, it said with elegant, formed letters. Below was a vague description of how the park came to be. He skimmed over it, already bored with the details, until his eyes caught on the words.

    ...created for the Evolved community.

    Mark's lashes fluttered, and he stared at it. Community?

    He had always assumed Evolveds lived as rogues—walking among normal people and showcasing their abilities whenever they saw fit. Only the most powerful had the power to reign over others—like Antinstine or the Tear Stealer.
    Mark glanced around, still finding no one. Cautious on his feet, he began walking down the paved road of the park.

    News channels barely spoke of Evolveds—only stated the most remarkable one's abilities or their status. It was only through rumors that Mark heard of how they might live or interact with each other.

    Mark took a detour, walking into the flowing grass and staring up at the emerging stars.

    "No one's here," he breathed, sweeping his eyes across the park. It was beautiful, no doubt—weaving grass sprouted from the fertile soil, waving in a tranc-elike state; trees reached for the stars with black limbs, varied in size. It extended into the horizon, enormous, and beautiful, and—Mark took a deep breath, smiling faintly—blessed with fresh air.

    A few yards away, hidden behind the Night trees, stood the Tear Stealer and his accomplice, Lux.

   "This human wants to kill you?" breathed Lux, turning their head towards Dark. He nodded, staring out of the trees and at Mark, taking in the sight without the need for a screen. "He has no presence."

   The Tear Stealer smirked at that, gazing down at Lux. Warm white hair pooled down their shoulders, straight and dripping like candle wax.

    "You think he's looking for you?" asked Lux, turning their amber eyes that glimmered like fire towards Dark.

   "Yes," said the Tear Stealer. "That's why I had you come with me."

   Lux nodded. "You want a projection."

   "Exactly."

   At those words, Mark treaded further through the grass, looking around at the park. Dark nodded his head.

   "Now."

   Mark glanced at the trees, unknowing of the two hidden Evolveds. Up ahead, the grass rustled, and he snapped his head towards the source.

   What if I actually make contact with an Evolved? thought Mark, and he gulped.

   The rustling grew louder, and Mark took a step towards the trees, keeping his eyes trained on the sound source. A few branches snapped, and the Tear Stealer came out from the trees.

   Mark gasped and darted into the thicket, ducking behind a tree and keeping his eyes on the Tear Stealer the entire time.

   Only feet away, plain in sight, stood the real Tear Stealer. Dark's breath hitched, and he jabbed Lux in the ribs.

   "Hide us," he hissed. Lux quickly shot his hand in the air, grabbed at darkness, and pulled it down over them, letting them blend in with the shadows.

   Mark dug his fingers into the damp, dark wood of the tree, peering at the illusion with wide eyes and shallow breaths. There he was—the Tear Stealer—living, breathing, roaming...

   Mark's heart beat in his throat, and he dared to take a step closer for a better view.

   The illusion walked through the grass, which faintly rustled, robes fluttering elegantly. In real life, the Tear Stealer looked nothing like what Mark had seen from photos of him online; they could only imagine to match the beauty of the sight before him. 

    The Tear Stealer stood tall, authoritative, and regal. Robes pooling down a slender, built body. His thin legs stepped through the grass, taking large steps with the elegance of an elk.

  I could kill him now, thought Mark, staring at the illusion of the Tear Stealer. But as he stared longer, the thought faded. His eyes focused on the features of his face, though the distance blurred the lines of his figure.

   "Look at him," whispered Lux, juggling their focus from the illusion to Mark and back. "Such wonder in his human eyes."

   Dark barely heard Lux's mocking tone, entranced by the sight of Mark. "I wonder what he's thinking," he muttered. Lux made a twitch with their hand, and the illusion halted, glancing around.

    Mark flinched, hiding behind the tree, eyes wide. A flash of red eyes swept past his hiding spot, and he huffed in relief.

    Slowly, he walked behind the line of trees, keeping his eyes trained on the Tear Stealer. A few seconds later, the illusion mimicked his motions, walking further through the park.

    Mark halted, watching the illusion continue. He swallowed, slipping out his phone and sending a quick text to Ethan.

    I'm feet away from the Tear Stealer.

    He opened the camera app, and as he did so, Lux bristled in the shadows. Their head snapped towards Dark.

    "The illusion won't show up on camera," hissed Lux, eyes glowing like embers. "If he looks over the photos—"

    "He'll assume that's one of my abilities," reasoned the Tear Stealer. Lux hesitated, then shook his head.

    "How would you explain when you go on air? Cameras, Mr. Edward."

    "Trust me," said Dark with a smirk, staring at Mark. So close, so reachable. "Humans are very gullible."

    Lux made a face but said nothing, watching as Mark lined up his camera to the illusion, brows furrowing when he saw nothing but the park—as if no one were there.

    "What the hell?" he muttered, looking through the phone again before slipping it back into his pocket. Dark shifted at the sound of the human's voice, hearing it for the first time.

    He straightened himself, pulling himself from his thoughts. "I've seen enough," he said quietly.

    Lux nodded. "Let me make a realistic exit."

    As he said that, Mark neared their hiding spot, only one step away. Dark straightened himself, repulsed and intrigued at the closeness. Lux pressed a finger to their lips, trying to move their hand slowly to keep Mark from hearing the rustling of their sleeves.

    Dark stared at Mark through half-lidded eyes, examining every inch of him in the darkness. A few inches shorter, curious brown eyes, youthful features... The Tear Stealer found himself leaning towards Mark, eyes flickering down to his lips.

    For a human, he thought, he really is quite extraordinary.

    Lux flicked their hand, and the illusion made its way towards the trees. Mark watched, not following, carefully stepping back to lean against a tree. Once the illusion went out of sight, he took a deep breath, chest expanding, and cautiously exhaled, closing his eyes and resting his head against the tree.

    I saw him, thought Mark, running a hand through his hair. I saw the Tear Stealer.

    He huffed, smiling, and faintly shook his head in disbelief.

    Lux turned his head towards Dark, nodding his head. The Tear Stealer returned the gesture, and Lux tightened his fist, strengthening the dark veil around them. Carefully, they walked away from Mark, feet a whisper on the leaves.

    Mark stirred, a faint wind chilling his skin as they left. He looked to his right but found nothing, deeming it a figment of his imagination. He turned back to the grass field, staring out at the now-moonlit park.

    "I'll kill you soon," whispered Mark, and, checking his surroundings, he carefully made his way across the park and into the warmth of his car, still stunned by his find.

Yes, Lux uses they/them pronouns!

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a great day 🖤
-Kassian