The Grey District did not sleep. It waited.
The streets were narrow. The buildings leaned toward each other like old friends sharing secrets. Brick facades were cracked. Windows were boarded. Neon signs flickered with dying buzzes. The air smelled of wet rust and old oil.
Kaito walked the perimeter. His boots made no sound on the wet pavement. He kept his hands in his pockets. His fingers traced the edges of the cards through the fabric.
Zephyr floated ahead. She was invisible. Only the movement of trash on the ground marked her path. A candy wrapper skittered across the street. A bottle cap rolled into the gutter.
Zephyr said, Clear ahead. Two blocks. No signatures.
Kaito said, Check the alley.
Zephyr said, Checking. Wait. There is a hum. Near the old bookstore. Low frequency.
Kaito turned left. He walked down the alley. The walls were high. They blocked the moonlight. Shadows pooled in the corners.
