Three steps away

His face is almost unrecognizable beneath the damage.

the metallic scent of blood filled the air.

several men stood nearby.

and in fornt of them stood another figure.

the one responsible.

the atmosphere around him is colder than the blood-soacked room itself.

for a moment, nobody moved.

Nobody speak.

the stranger's gaze landed on Sylvia.

the other men immediately tensed.

one reached for his weapon.

waiting.

watching.

expecting fear.

shock.

screaming.

anything.

Sylvia finally speak.

"you're blocking the coffee aisle."

Silence.

one of the men stare at her in disbelief.

another look genuinely confuse.

the stranger remain still.

studying her.

Sylvia glanced toward the ruined aisle.

the coffee shelves had been splattered with blood.

A small frown appear on her face.

"Never mind".

Then she turn around.

and walk away.

No panic.

No rushing footsteps.

No trembling hands.

Nothing.

the door closed behind her.

the man inside remain frozen.

One finally break the silence.

"Boss..."

No answer came.

the stranger continues stare at the closed door.

watching the place where the woman had disappeared.

something about her is different.

Not weak.

and definitely not ordinary.

A person who witnessed such a scene should be terrified.

yet her eyes remain calm.

too calm.

as though she had seen worse.

much worse.

Slowly, the corner of his mouth curved upward.

For the first time that night, he found something more interesting than the corpse at his feet.

And outside, Sylvia continued walking through the empty streets of Rome.

Without realizing that the moment she stepped into that store—

someone had already begun watching her.

The streets of Rome remained quiet as Sylvia continued walking.

The cold wind brushed against her coat.

Her footsteps were steady.

Unhurried.

Then another set of footsteps appeared behind her.

Heavy.

Measured.

Not trying to hide.

Sylvia noticed immediately.

Of course she did.

But she didn't stop.

Whoever it was knew she had noticed.

Of course she did.

But she didn't stop.

Whoever it was knew she had noticed.

The footsteps drew closer.

Three steps.

Two.

One.

Sylvia finally stopped.

Slowly, she turned around.

The street lamp above cast a pale glow across the empty road.

A tall figure stood only a few steps away.

The height difference between them was noticeable, yet not enough to prevent their eyes from meeting directly.

Neither looked away.

The street lamp above cast a pale glow across the empty road.

A tall figure stood only a few steps away.

The height difference between them was noticeable, yet not enough to prevent their eyes from meeting directly.

Neither looked away.

For several seconds, silence stretched between them.

Then the man extended a paper cup toward her.

Coffee.

Freshly made.

The corner of Sylvia's eyebrow lifted slightly.

The man spoke first.

"Thought you came for this."

His voice is calm.

his eyes looking directly at her more like observing.

Sylvia glanced at the cup before taking it from his hand.

A small nod.

Nothing more.

No thanks.

No questions.

most people would have been terrified.

she behaved as if they were strangers meeting on an ordinary night.

the man's eyes narrowed slightly.

interesting.

very interesting.

then the cold metal of a gun pressed against Sylvia's forehead.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***