Chapter 3 : Him

"Let's go"

As the group began to disperse, their laughter fading into the alleyway, Malang shifted slightly, trying to steady his breathing. However, in his nervousness, his foot accidentally nudged a loose stone, causing it to tumble down the pile of bricks with a soft clatter.

Neil's sharp ears caught the sound instantly. He paused mid-step, his body tense. Slowly, he turned, his dark eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.

"Who's there?" he demanded, his voice sharp and unyielding.

The group paid little attention, withering away with murmurs of amusement. But Neil wasn’t about to let it slide.

He approached the corner, his footsteps deliberate, his gaze locked on the pile of bricks. His instincts told him someone was there—watching, hiding. Who the hell is snooping around? His jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation flashing through his chest. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, muscles coiled, ready for confrontation. He wasn’t the kind to tolerate sneaky behavior, and if this person had overheard anything they shouldn’t have, they’d regret it.

Malang cowered behind the stack, his breath hitched as he pressed himself harder against the cold bricks, his heart pounding so violently it felt like it might give him away. His fingers clutched at the rough edges of the wall, his knuckles turning white. His whole body tensed as if willing himself to disappear into the shadows.

His mind screamed at him to move, to run, but his legs were frozen in place, paralyzed by fear.

He noticed me… Oh God, he noticed me.

When Neil turned the corner, their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze for a moment.

Huddled against the bricks, trembling like a deer caught in headlights, was a boy.

Neil’s hand shot forward, poised to strike, his face a mask of cold fury.

But as he looked into Malang’s wide, tear-brimmed eyes, something unexpected happened. The rage drained from Neil’s features, replaced by an emotion he couldn’t quite place. Then-his hand stopped mid-air, trembling slightly before he lowered it.

For the first time in years, Neil felt vulnerable. It wasn’t pity, nor was it anger—it was something deeper, something unfamiliar. His heart thudded against his ribcage as he stared into the boy’s face, every detail of it etched into his mind. The fear, the innocence, the quiet defiance behind the tears stirred something within him, something he didn’t recognize but couldn’t ignore.

Malang, trembling, pressed himself back against the bricks, too scared to move. He had no idea what had just passed through Neil’s mind, only that the blow he had expected never came.

Neil straightened, his jaw clenching as he forced himself to regain his composure. Whatever he was feeling, it wasn’t something he could afford to show. Not here, not now.

“Listen carefully,” Neil said, his voice low and biting, though there was a strange softness beneath it.

“Stay out of things that don’t concern you. If I catch you snooping around again, you won’t get off so easily.”

His words were harsh, but they lacked the venom he usually wielded. Without another glance, Neil turned on his heel and walked away, his heart pounding in his chest for reasons he couldn’t explain.

Malang remained frozen, his body shaking as Neil disappeared into the shadows. He didn’t understand what had just happened, but something about the way Neil hesitated—about the look in his eyes—lingered in his mind, leaving him both confused and unsettled.

Neil, on the other hand, kept walking, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, but one thought stood out above the rest: What the hell just happened to me?

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