Chapter 3

The days went by which seemed to play out tediously over and over again. Ever since she and Rage met in the park, Lupe couldn't get their last encounter out of her mind. Again and again, Rage's words came back to his mind, and the kiss that left a strange fire in his heart. However, he couldn't shake the fear that the mysterious man was dangerous.

One night, after a tiring day at work, Lupe decided to stop by his favorite bar. He needed to rest, and it seemed that a night full of music and good conversation would take away his worries. As he approached the bar, he felt the cold air and the slight shiver in his body. But he decided to ignore it.

When he entered the bar, he was immediately greeted by loud music and lights flashing in every corner. He went to his favorite corner of the bar and sat down, ordering a simple cocktail.

As he watched the people dancing and laughing, he gradually felt the weight that was weighing on his mind ease. But before he could completely relax, he felt the presence of a familiar energy-a force that made his chest pound.

Through the chaos of the bar, he saw Rage approaching, his eyes seeming to search for him. His aura seemed to be darker tonight, and his gaze couldn't stop the apprehension in Lupe's heart.

"Lupe," Rage called, his voice low but he could hear it over the noise. He came and sat in front of her. "I need to talk to you."

Lupe smiled and looked away, trying to ignore the fluttering in her chest. "I thought I said I didn't need your warning? I'm not interested."

Rage's gaze was intense as he focused on her. "It's not about interest, Lupe. It's about your safety."

Lupe noticed the depth of Rage's voice, but she didn't give in. "How many times do you have to say I'm in danger? What do you really want?"

Rage stood up from his seat and moved even closer to Lupe. The warmth of his body seemed to flow between them, leaving a strange feeling all around. "We don't have time for questions. You have to come with me, Lupe."

Lupe raised an eyebrow and quickly looked away. "I'm not going with you. You can't scare me or make me agree with your stories. I'm not part of whatever delusion you're thinking."

Rage's jaw suddenly tightened, and even though he didn't answer, Lupe knew he didn't like the rejection. He let out a deep sigh before turning around, but he didn't get far when he suddenly felt a cold hand grab his arm.

"I won't argue with you," Rage said emphatically as he dragged her out of the bar.

"Let go of me!" Lupe shouted angrily, trying to pull his arm away. But Rage's grip seemed to be iron, and he couldn't break free.

They quickly made their way past the crowd at the bar, Lupe's eyes flashing wildly as she struggled to fight. "Rage, what are you doing?! Are you seriously going to kidnap me?"

Rage didn't answer, but Lupe could feel the fierce determination in his steps. Every walk was full of intention, and Lupe knew Rage wouldn't let her go. They went out of the bar, and there Lupe felt the cold of the night which seemed to add to his fear.

"You don't understand what you're doing!" Lupe shouted, still struggling.

Rage stopped and faced him, his eyes glinting in the darkness. "I will not be kidnapped. I'm just telling the truth, Lupe. You are not safe here, and I will not allow anything bad to happen to you."

Lupe was shaking, but she didn't know if it was because of fear or the strange warmth that Rage's presence brought. "If you want to talk, let's do it properly. You don't have to do this. Let me go."

Rage took a deep breath and lingered in his gaze before slowly letting go of his arm. "I don't want to force you, Lupe. But you have to listen to me."

Before he could speak, a loud rustling from the dark side of the alley caught their attention. Rage turned around, the tension seemed to be intensifying around him. "Someone's following us," Rage whispered, pulling Lupe again, but now more cautiously.

"What's really going on?" Lupe asked, fear and panic in her voice.

"I can't fully explain it yet, but it's time for you to know the truth. There are creatures you don't know yet, monsters you're not ready to face. And you are one of the keys to fight them."

Lupe couldn't speak. He knew this conversation was deep and heavy, but despite his doubts, he felt the truth in Rage's every word. There is a threat, and he seems to be at the center of it.

Rage took him to the edge of an old building where there seemed to be a secret space behind it. Rage looked at him, his eyes seeming to beg for trust. "I wouldn't do something like this if I didn't have a good reason, Lupe. Danger is imminent. You have to know your strengths."

"Strength? What are you talking about?" Lupe asked again, but before Rage could answer her, someone suddenly jumped out of the shadows.

A large creature-not human, nor animal-suddenly attacked them. Lupe recoiled in shock, but Rage quickly stood in front of him, facing the beast as if it had no fear.

"Stand aside, Lupe," Rage ordered as he stepped forward, ready to defend her.

Lupe was stunned, unable to believe what he was witnessing. The world he knows is slowly changing in front of him. The mystery, the monsters, and Rage-it all seemed an intricate part of his new reality.

Rage moved quickly, every move full of self-confidence and strength. When he defeated the monster, he turned on Lupe. "Now you know the truth," Rage said seriously. "And you have to decide if you're going to follow or keep running."

Lupe was silent, remaining stunned in Rage's presence. In an instant, his world is turned upside down-from an ordinary night at the bar, to a battle he never expected.

And through it all, he knew there was a part of him that was waiting for an answer-an answer that only Rage could come from.