Rhythm Street, Citadel City.
Night.
The narrow alley was quiet compared to the livelier streets nearby.
Music still drifted faintly through the buildings.
A guitar somewhere.
A bass line from an underground club.
Laughter from a rooftop bar.
Rhythm Street was famous for never completely sleeping.
But this particular alley was almost empty.
A man walked alone, hands inside his jacket pockets.
He wasn't in a hurry.
There was no reason to be.
As far as the world was concerned, the man walking through the alley had been dead for years.
A figure approached from the opposite direction.
A hooded woman.
She slowed as they came closer.
"Excuse me."
The man stopped.
He looked at her cautiously.
The woman smiled politely.
"Sir, could you tell me the time?"
The man's suspicion eased slightly.
He lifted his wrist.
"Sure."
He glanced toward his watch.
That was when something lightly pricked the back of his neck.
His eyes widened.
He immediately turned.
Too late.
