Chapter 11: The Night’s Shadows

  Noir stood beneath the flickering glow of a mppost, his arms crossed, his mind churning. The cool night air brushed against his skin, bringing with it the faint scent of damp concrete and vibrant vegetation.

  The streets were awfully quiet tonight, save for the occasional whoosh of a passing car or the rustling of leaves against the pavement.

  Noir had left the house without a clear pn, and only now did he realize a gring problem that stood in the way of this new recon mission of his.

  He didn’t quite know the way to the crime scene of all pces.

  Sure he had been able to easily find his way back to Molly's pce, but that was only because he had memorized the path in the morning when she took him and her kids to school.

  " Maybe I can just ask for directions?."

  With no way of moving forward, His golden eyes flickered in thought, scanning the area for someone who might help.

  Luckily for Noir, though it was dark out, he still managed to spot a lone figure in the distance.

  His eyes which could easily see through the night as if day, nded on a young porcein skinned woman, likely in her early twenties, who sat alone on a worn wooden bench near a bus stop.

  The dim streetlight cast a weary shadow over her slouched frame, and her loose brown curly hair, hung tiredly around her oval face. Her exhausted amber eyes were a rare sight, though they were hidden behind her optic gsses which looked prescribed no doubt.

  Her peachy lips parted as she exhaled deeply, shoulders sagging, her fingers gripping the strap of her handbag as she suddenly spoke to herself.

  "...Did I really go through all those years of college for this?" she muttered under her breath. Her soft voice was ced with exhaustion, frustration spilling out into the quiet night. "Nine to six every day all for a shitty minimum wage Arrgh!!" She struggled to hold back a vexed scream from escaping her mouth.

  " Not only that but I even have to work extra hours because of him… that good-for-nothing sleaze of a group leader just dumps his work on me while flirting with the others." She scoffed bitterly. "Tch. Just because he’s good-looking, they let him get away with everything. Do I look like some pushover to him?"

  Sleaze?...What's a sleaze?.

  Noir tilted his head, listening, though he didn’t fully grasp her grievances.

  He couldn't help wondering what her words actually meant and why she looked so down and out.

  As he stepped forward, the soft crunch of his sneakers against gravel caught her attention.

  "Is someone there?..." She gnced up absentmindedly, but the moment her gaze nded on him, she froze.

  Huh?!

  Her heart skipped a beat when she caught a vague image of the person who had approached her.

  In the dim, shifting light, Noir’s figure looked impossibly striking, tall, sharp features, his wild dark hair swaying with each step. The contrast of his golden irises against the night gave him an almost ethereal presence yet when she stared deeper into them, she was surprised to notice the hint of curiosity and genuine care within them, simir to a lost puppy yet this puppy before her was definitely a stunning Wolf that left her speechless.

  He's so....hot.

  Omg he's coming this way?!, She swallowed,

  No....i can't believe this is happening now!, I don't even have any ounce of makeup on.

  She panicked in her mind, suddenly hyper-aware of how tired and disheveled she must have looked.

  She wished she could really stop time right now and freshen up properly but that was all wishful thinking.

  Before she knew it, Noir stopped in front of her and greeted lightly. " Evening..."

  " E-Evening.." she struggled to say only for her cheeks to redden from slight embarrassment when her voice stuttered completely.

  Omg this isn't happening!

  She felt like digging a hole to burry herself in right now but, could only settle for averting her gaze.

  Noir who saw her strange reactions furrowed his brows in confusion, clearly oblivious to what her actions entailed.

  He thought of asking but decided against it when he thought that it might seem rude of him if he were to call her strange. He simply opted to do what he came to do in the first pce.

  " Sorry for disturbing your peace, I hope you don't mind but, I'm kinda lost and I'm looking for directions, could you please help?."

  When the dy heard his sudden question, she felt a little thankful inside that he hadn't left after seeing her earlier blunder.

  " D-D-Dir-recti-tions?, Of course, I can help with that!." She replied hurriedly, though still less perfect, feeling that the situation could still be salvaged somehow.

  Thank God he doesn't think I'm weird. She squealed inwardly with excitement.

  He's looking for directions, this is my perfect chance to make a great first impression!

  Who knows, I might've even score myself a bonus somehow!

  She giggled to herself, gleefully. nonetheless she still tried her best to remain calm and composed before this walking stud Infront of her, just staring at his mesmerizing face that could only be seen partially due to the dark was proving difficult.

  Though she hated to admit, she had a bad habit of losing herself to handsome men, but when you thought of how she'd been coerced into doing extra hours by her group leader, that wasn't too much of a surprise.

  " Really, that's great!." Meanwhile, Noir was joyful when he realized that his te night pns might not be for naught but, when he remembered what he was supposed to ask he contempted about telling her directly or not.

  After a short silence, he finally asked. " If it's not too much trouble for you, I'd really like to know which direction leads to the street where that incident which was broadcasted on the news is located."

  The woman blinked not expecting him to ask such a strange question. “You mean....the homicide?” she replied with a bewildered look, though she was at work she had still gotten wind of the incident which wasn't really that hard since her workpce was like a gossip market.

  The Instant the news was broadcasted, a few of her coworkers who saw it had discussed about it with their friends and at the time she just so happened to be close enough to hear it.

  She herself thought the news was too surreal, normally an animal attack case wouldn't be too incredible but, the fact that the creature left no traces of struggle nor footprints, was a chilling piece of news no doubt, obviously hinting at a clean cut kill and devour.

  Noir nodded, he didn't seem to mind her expression since even he thought it would be strange to find someone who wanted to head to such an I'll omen pce.

  Just what could he want from there.

  Maybe he just so happens to live near by?.

  Wait...that's not possible because, if he did, he'd naturally know his way back right?.

  She tried thinking of why Noir would want to visit such a pce, The dy soon snapped out of her thoughts, asking again. “You sure that's were your headed?”

  He nodded again, expression serious like a person pinning all his hopes on her.

  Her brows furrowed slightly. “Why would you want to go there?” She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. “That case is terrifying. They said the victim was mauled alive in his own bedroom. No forced entry, nothing. Like some monster just… appeared.”

  " I know." Noir waited patiently, his expression unwavering.

  Guess he's really dead set on going there...

  Could I be mistaken and perhaps he's just some thrill seeker trying to get a personal view of the scene.

  When she realized he wasn’t going to react, she cleared her throat and pointed down the road. “It’s about eight blocks that way, near Sycamore Street. You should see police cars around the area since their probably still scanning the scene."

  “Thanks.” Noir thanked her after finally getting the information he wanted.

  She hesitated. “…You should be careful, you know? Walking alone this te when there's a killer creature on the lose.” But when she realized that she was in the same situation, her face blushed in embarrassment.

  I can't believe I just said that!!

  Arrghh what's wrong with me...

  Her eyes moved to his face, yet to her relief, he didn't seem to be ughing at her stupid blunder. Seeing this she felt her heart settle and her confidence regained a little. “ if It's not too much to ask, Are you perhaps… a reporter?, maybe A detective by any chance.”

  Noir blinked. “No. I’m just Noir.” he replied as if matter of fact, waving his hand in dismissal.

  " That's a new one." She giggled, thinking that he was trying to lighten the mood.

  " well if you wanna remain anonymous, I don't see anything wrong with that but..."

  She chuckled softly at his straightforwardness, before biting her lip. She steeled her nerves and took a step closer. “Since I helped, don't you think I deserve something as a reward."

  " I see..." Noir pced his right hand against his chin. " So what do you have in mind." He said after, thinking that her words held some weight.

  "Umm...wanna trade numbers?” She forced a nervous smile.

  " You mean phone numbers?.."

  Noir tilted his head. “Sorry but I don’t have a phone.” he shook his head dismissively.

  Her shoulders slumped. “Oh.”

  I'm guessing that's an obvious no... She thought to herself.

  Noir who was about to leave furrowed his brows a bit, Something about her disappointed look seemed to make him pause in his steps.

  Could I have offended her?...

  She did help me, plus it would be wrong to leave without giving her something in return... He thought as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a pen.

  " I wasn't lying when I said I didn't have a phone but, I don't mind getting one if that'll make you happy..." he said with a thankful smile.

  " That's if you're still willing to give me your number." He added, his voice sounding a little bit nervous yet to the office woman, his voice was like a comforting cloud that left her falling into its embrace.

  He's so sweet! She instantly cheered up in her mind. " Of-of course!." She hurriedly replied as if she was scared he'd change his mind.

  With quick strokes, Noir soon wrote her number on his wrist before holding it up to her. “When I get a phone, I’ll definitely give you a call ok?”

  "O-ok.. She nodded unconsciously. Her breath hitched. His tone was so casual, yet the way he phrased it, like he cared about her happiness, made her chest tighten.

  Noir gave a small nod. “Okay. Hopefully I'll see you ter then.” And with that, he turned and walked away.

  She sat there, watching as his figure faded into the night, her heart thumping strangely in her chest.

  ---

  Noir moved swiftly through the streets, his pace quickening until he was nothing but a blur against the darkened cityscape. The cool night wind whipped against his skin, his mind racing just as fast.

  In no time, he reached Sycamore Street, In less than a moment, he spotted the house in question as well.

  Even from down the street, he could easily see the house which stood in stark contrast to the quiet neighborhood, its front yard now crowded with police vehicles, fshing red and blue lights onto the surrounding houses. Yellow caution tape wrapped around the property like a noose, warding off any wandering eyes.

  Noir slowed to a walk, stepping closer and closer till he was a few meters away from the house.

  A group of officers stood near the gate, their voices low and grave. The tension in the air was thick with fear and uncertainty. Just like the news caster said, it looked like even the police themselves didn’t understand what had happened either.

  Noir tried to move forward, but the moment he got too close, a sharp voice cut through the air.

  “Hey, you!, Stop right there.”

  He turned to see a burly officer eyeing him suspiciously.

  “This is an active crime scene. You can’t be here.”

  Noir blinked. “Why not?”

  The officer narrowed his eyes,his face looking impatient. “Because it’s dangerous, now go home kid.” he added, unlike earlier, with the bright lights from the sirens, it wasn't hard for the police officer to make out his face.

  Noir unconsciously looked at the house again. His instincts told him to go inside, to see the scene himself. To him, Something felt off about all of this no matter how he looked at it.

  But he knew better than to push further.

  “Okay officer, I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble.” He said apologetically before he turned around and walked away.

  " Crazy kid..." The officer watched him go, muttering something under his breath before returning to his post.

  Noir rounded a corner, his hands in his pants-pockets, deep in thought. He obviously wasn’t giving up.

  If he couldn’t go through the front…He’d just have to find another way.