The Wraith Alliance

A month had passed since that painful night when Eunseok had walked out of her life. Taenus had thrown herself into work, using it as a distraction from the brokenness that lingered just beneath the surface. But no matter how much she tried to keep busy, there were moments when the pain crept back in.

Today was no different. The café was unusually quiet, and the weight of exhaustion hung over her like a heavy blanket. She wiped down the counter for what felt like the hundredth time, trying to keep her mind occupied. Her stomach still ached with the reality of her situation, but she couldn't afford to let it consume her.

By the time her shift ended, the night had settled in, and the streets were bathed in the dim glow of streetlights. Taenus hurried out of the café, her steps quick and purposeful. She had no energy left to do anything but get home and rest, but the cold night air felt oddly comforting. It gave her a moment of clarity amidst the chaos in her life.

As she walked down the dimly lit street toward her apartment, she heard the faint sound of footsteps behind her. It wasn't unusual in the city, but tonight there was something unsettling about the way they echoed, slow and deliberate. Her senses tingled, and she quickened her pace.

Then, in the distance, she saw it—a figure, a man, dragging a little girl down an alleyway. The girl's small body seemed limp, and her muffled cries pierced the silence of the night.

Taenus froze, her breath catching in her throat. The man didn't seem to notice her presence, too caught up in his crime. Her first instinct was to run, to turn away and pretend she hadn't seen anything. But something deep inside her stirred. This wasn't right. That little girl needed help.

Without thinking, Taenus took a deep breath and sprinted toward the alley, her heart pounding in her chest. She kept her movements quiet, her footsteps barely making a sound against the pavement as she approached the man.

The little girl's cries grew louder, and Taenus felt the urgency in her chest tighten. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed the police. Her fingers shook as she whispered the details into the receiver.

"Please, hurry. There's a man... he's taking a little girl... in the alley behind the old bakery. Please, you have to come quick."

The operator assured her help was on the way, but Taenus didn't waste any time waiting. She had to act.

As she neared the alley, the man looked over his shoulder, catching sight of her. His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Taenus felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't back down now. The girl was counting on her.

"Hey!" Taenus shouted, trying to steady her voice. "Let her go!"

The man's expression twisted with anger, and he quickly shoved the girl into a nearby trash bin. Taenus gasped, but before she could move, he lunged toward her, grabbing her arm with an iron grip.

"You shouldn't have come here," he growled, his breath foul against her face.

Panic surged through her, but she didn't let fear take over. With all her strength, she wrenched her arm from his grip and pushed him back, stumbling away from him. The man growled, but before he could react, the sound of sirens pierced the night air.

In an instant, the man's eyes widened, and he turned to flee, but it was too late. Police officers rushed into the alley, surrounding him. Taenus stepped back, her heart still racing, and watched as they restrained him, pulling him away from the girl.

The little girl, though frightened and shaken, was safe. Taenus rushed to her side, her heart aching for the child.

"Are you okay?" Taenus asked softly, kneeling beside her. The girl nodded, tears streaming down her face, but there was a glimmer of relief in her eyes.

"Thank you," the girl whispered, her voice small. "I'm Kookie... thank you for saving me."

Taenus smiled faintly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Kookie's forehead. "It's okay, Kookie. You're safe now."

The police officers quickly checked on Kookie, ensuring she was unharmed before taking her back to the station for her safety. Taenus watched them go, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. She had done the right thing, but the rush of adrenaline was already wearing off, and she felt drained.

She turned to leave the alley, her steps slower now, but she couldn't help the sense of pride that bloomed inside her. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she had done something good—something that mattered.

She still had a long way to go, but tonight, she had found a small piece of herself again.