A FRIEND IN THE SHADOW

Xavier roamed the city streets, keeping his movements erratic to avoid leaving a trace. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the pavement as day gave way to twilight. With each passing hour, his sense of dread grew. Darkness wasn't his ally anymore; it was a harbinger of the dangers lurking behind every corner. He knew the vampire queen's reach was vast, and the thought of her finding him sent chills down his spine.

As evening fell, Xavier found himself in a quiet park on the city's edge. The laughter of children and the chatter of families filled the air, starkly contrasting his own desolation. He sat on a cold, weathered bench, his hood pulled low to hide his face. Watching the scene before him stirred something unfamiliar—a pang of longing for normalcy.