Chapter-53 Cat and Mouse

As the bus moved along Daemon finally allowed himself to relax, his body demanding rest after that intense fight and chase usually he could stay awake for a long time... however, the moment he let his guard down, exhaustion instantly washed over him, and it caused his legs to give out. But before he could collapse, he felt the girl slip off his back guiding him to a seat. Surprised he looked up to find her already sitting beside him.

Even with his vision still slightly blurred, Daemon studied her more closely... he noticed that she was tall, standing at six feet, and though her clothing was nothing more than dirt-streaked ripped cloth wrapped around her chest and hips, it did little to hide her athletic, muscular build even with her strength... there was a shyness to her posture, as if she were trying to make herself smaller.

With light bronze skin was covered with multiple scars maybe she gotten them from a the cartel or a war, the most noticeable being a straight line across her forehead, then a large tattoo, resembling that of a intricate tribal design, spanned her stomach.

Daemon's gaze lingered on the girl's tattoo the lines were sharp and precise, weaving into symbols that seemed almost familiar causing him to frown as he tried to place where he had seen such a design before.

That when he remembered the patterns reminded him of an old, worn book he had once skimmed through in a library its sketches had depicted similar symbols emblems of a long-forgotten tribe known for their devotion to a god but he couldn't remember what god.

He then deeply at her face angular and sharp, with high cheekbones and piercing almond-shaped eyes, their were even an icy blue color striking against her features, with her long, midnight-black hair cascaded down her back, tied back with a design metal ring that he felt a mysterious aura from her.

The last detail that caught his eye was there were heavy chains around her wrists, they were rusted metal contrasting starkly with her otherwise fierce appearance causing his mind to race. 'What's with the chains… Was she kidnapped by the cartel?' Daemon thought.

How long has she been in chains? I can't ignore the possibility that her plight is connected to mine. But I've got enough trouble of my own without adding her story to it.

Looking into her eyes, he finally asked, "Who are you?"

"..."

The girl didn't respond to Daemon's question still her gaze long at him that he could see what it held was soft and hesitant with her expression unreadable.

She's still holding back. What is she hiding? I've got no obligation to get involved, but her silence... it's more than just a lack of words. It's like she's trying to protect something—her own secrets, maybe.

While in thought he saw that she gazed out the train window with a look of childlike wonder that he was curious so Daemon followed her gaze, but all he could see was the darkness outside... broken only by the occasional flicker of house lights that the bus passed by.

'She's like a kid seeing something for the first time,' Daemon thought puzzled by her behavior. 'Have she never seen the world...how long did he cartel have her.'

Turning back to her he remarked, "I guess the cartel kidnapped you too." with what he said he noticed her eyes now focused on him with an almost inquisitive interest. "You're free to go," he added. While he didn't know what the cartel had to do with her still he didn't know her and had no reason to get involved any further.

Daemon was about to close his eyes and finally get some sleep, indifferent to what the girl did next. But just as he began to drift off, he felt movement beside him... that his eyes snapped open finding that the girl had moved closer now sitting directly next to him.

Daemon was confused. "What are you still doing here? You can return to your family," he said.

Once again she didn't answer. Instead she leaned her head on his shoulder surprising him with the unexpected gesture.

'What did the cartel do to her?' Daemon wondered, But he was too weak and tired to dwell on it for long finally with a weary sigh, he closed his eyes and let a deep sleep take him.

Because the conversation there was a teenager scrolling through his device smirks and nudges his friend, nodding toward Daemon and the girl, they whisper animatedly, their eyes darting between the two of them, as they were discussing rumors about recent cartel activity and the girl's appearance. The bus driver, an older man with a stern face, adjusts the rearview mirror to get a better look at them, his furrowed brow of unease.

...

Two Hours Later.

A loud crack and boom suddenly jolted Daemon awake, his eyes shot open, that he thought he was under attack, however he saw a heavy thunderstorm raging outside, lightning flashing across the bus windows calming down. Now with enough rest he felt energized, then with a quick check of his body he confirmed that his wounds were completely healed.

Daemon covered his mouth as he was yawning "How long have I been asleep?" he muttered to himself.

Remembering the girl, he looked to his left and found her no longer asleep but staring right at him, her gaze intense and unblinking.

'Was she watching me sleep?' Daemon thought which he didn't mind but still found it weird cause shouldn't you be tired from the cartel

He looked away wondering why she hadn't left yet, Just then he also noticed the bus slowing down as it approached a stop, glancing out the window, he saw they had arrived at the bus station, without hesitation Daemon got up and quickly exited the bus... heading toward the underground passageway.

While he walked he caught a sound at the edge of his hearing which he recognized as the girl's footsteps still following him.

Daemon spun around to face her. "Stop following me. I have nothing for you. Find your own way home," he said his voice was firm sounding.

Just like before, the girl didn't respond. She kept her head down, so Daemon ignored her still he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this girl than met the eye still he ignored that and continued down the passageway, the girl still trailing silently behind him, as the busy hum of the city surrounded them as they navigated through the late-night crowd because of the daily transport route for the citizens of the city, people were still coming from work or heading out for a night in the town.

Daemon needed to figure out where he was, returning to the cartel's hideout was out of the question; he didn't know if the broker had already announced his betrayal. At the corner of a wall he spotted a map displaying all the bus and train routes running through the city of Venar, they were at the edge of town making it impossible to do anything but find a way to Nova Veritas City.

While he was contemplating his next move and which train to take, the girl tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned around, he saw her staring past him, he followed her gaze, that when his eyes widen Daemon noticed several officers approaching.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. Then without hesitation, Daemon quickly slipped into the crowd, heading toward the other side of the underground. 'They found me already. I expected them to track the bus number, but that was fast,' he thought, as he weaved through the throngs of people.

As he exited the underground, he was unaware that Detective Adriana was among the crowd, following him, with her sharp eyes never lost sight of him, even as he tried to blend in. She had been able to track the bus so quickly because of detective Diana know how to track a lot of people using tech that's why she mostly used in secret.

While moving through the crowed she noticed that there was a girl following very closely behind him before the bus and know. 'Who is that girl and why is she with him' she thought. what she didn't noticed was that she subconscious gaze locked onto the girl instead of Daemon.

Daemon decided to head to the industrial district, knowing the maze of abandoned warehouses and factories would provide excellent cover, It was late, and although a few security guards and night workers were still around, the place was largely deserted, that he managed to slip into one of the warehouses without being noticed.

Sill he needed to escape that his mind raced with possibilities he needed maybe traps, diversions, anything to slow down Detective Adriana.

Once inside, Daemon triggered a series of fire alarms, instantly the piercing wails echoing through the empty buildings, causing panic among the remaining workers it spread like wildfire so he used the confusion to his advantage, hoping it would throw off Detective Adriana.

Adriana, however, pushed forward through the panic, undeterred by the chaos Daemon had created. she leaped over a couple of crates and ducking under low-hanging beams, her focus unshaken as she zeroed in on Daemon's retreating figure, she knew he was trying to lose her, but she wasn't about to let him get away.

While running in a daring move, Daemon vaulted over a eight feet stack of crates, landing smoothly on the other side, he glanced back and saw that the girl was still behind him which surprised him that she managed to keep up with his speed and agility however he didn't dwell on it instead he climbed up onto a nearby warehouse again the girl managing to keep up with him.

While on top of the warehouse, he spotted a particular spot that piqued Daemon's interest. But he wasn't finished yet, he disappeared into another warehouse, setting off more alarms and using the ensuing confusion as cover, he knew Adriana wouldn't give up easily, but he had a plan, he headed toward the nearby forest, where the dense trees and darkness could offer a temporary refuge.

If he could just make it there, he might be able to lose her for good.