Robin didn't move for a long time.
The silence in the room felt heavier than before… almost suffocating.
His phone was still in his hand, the last call echoing in his mind.
"You've stepped into something that doesn't belong to you."
He clenched his jaw.
"Too late…" he whispered.
If Sara was involved in something dangerous… then he needed answers.
No matter the cost.
The next morning, the apartment was sealed off.
Police tape covered the entrance, officers moving in and out, collecting evidence.
Robin stood outside, pretending to be just another bystander…
but his eyes were sharp, observing everything.
He noticed a man.
Not a police officer.
Dressed in a simple black coat, standing still, watching the building…
watching him.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
The man smiled.
Then turned and walked away.
Robin hesitated… but instinct took over.
He followed him.
The streets grew quieter as they moved further away from the crowded area.
Step by step, Robin kept his distance, his heart beating faster.
Finally, the man stopped in a narrow alley.
"Following people is dangerous," the man said calmly, without turning around.
Robin froze.
"…Who are you?"
The man turned slowly.
His face was sharp, emotionless… but his eyes carried something unsettling.
"Someone who knows Sara."
Robin stepped closer.
"Then tell me where she is."
A faint smile appeared.
"You're not in a position to demand anything."
Silence filled the alley.
Then the man reached into his coat…
and pulled out a small metallic card.
He threw it toward Robin.
Robin caught it.
A strange symbol was engraved on it… the same one from the photo.
"Welcome to the edge of the truth," the man said.
"What is this?" Robin asked.
"A door."
Robin frowned.
"A door to what?"
The man's expression darkened.
"To a world where people don't disappear by accident…
they're taken."
Robin's grip tightened on the card.
"…And Sara?"
The man looked directly into his eyes.
"She didn't run."
A pause.
"She was extracted."
Robin felt a chill run down his spine.
"By who?!"
The man stepped closer… his voice dropping to a whisper:
"The Network."
Before Robin could react, a black car suddenly stopped at the end of the alley.
The doors opened.
Two men stepped out.
Dressed exactly like the people in the photo.
Faces hidden.
Presence… threatening.
The man in front of Robin sighed.
"You shouldn't have followed me."
"What's happening…?" Robin muttered.
The man took a step back.
"This is where your choice begins."
The two masked men started walking toward them.
Slow. Calm. Certain.
"Choice?" Robin asked.
The man looked at him one last time.
"Walk away now… and forget Sara ever existed."
Robin's heart pounded.
"And if I don't?"
A cold silence.
Then—
"Then you're already one of us."
The masked men were now only a few steps away.
Robin looked at them… then at the card in his hand.
Then forward.
His voice came out steady.
"…I'm not walking away."
For a brief moment…
everything went quiet.
Then the man smiled.
"Good."
Suddenly, everything moved fast.
The masked men rushed forward—
but before they could reach him, Robin felt a sharp pain in his neck.
A needle.
His vision blurred instantly.
"What—?!"
The last thing he saw…
was the symbol on the card glowing faintly in his hand.
And the man's voice… fading into darkness:
"Welcome to the Network, Robin."
Darkness.
Complete silence.
Then…
a voice.
"Subject is awake."
Robin's eyes slowly opened.
Bright white lights blinded him.
He tried to move… but couldn't.
Strapped to a chair.
Cold metal around his wrists.
His breathing became heavy.
"Where am I…?"
A shadow stepped forward.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
"…Sara?"
She stood in front of him.
Alive.
Calm.
Different.
Her eyes… were empty.
"You shouldn't have come," she said quietly.
Robin stared at her, shocked.
"What is this place…? What are you involved in?!"
Sara didn't answer immediately.
Instead… she leaned closer.
And whispered:
"This… is where people lose who they were."
A pause.
"And become what the Network needs them to be."