The city streets buzzed with life, every corner lit by neon signs and the warm glow of streetlights. But beneath the bustle, a young crook's world had unraveled into utter chaos. His legs burned as he sprinted through the rain-slicked alley, the "masterpiece" tucked under his arm feeling heavier with every step.

Not far behind him, heavy footsteps pounded against the pavement. The loan sharks wasted no time at all. The moment he’d delivered the painting they so "generously demanded", they’d double-crossed him, lunging to capture him the second he handed it over. Arc wasn’t new to betrayal, he had a track record of throwing people under the bus himself. His instincts kicked in before their trap succeeded, and he bolted with the painting still in his hands.

Not that it did him any favors though, now they were angrier than ever.

"Get back here!” one of them shouted, his voice echoing between the alley’s narrow walls.

Arc wanted to cry. They’d kill him if they caught him, and they'd kill him if he kept running, of course he'd go with the more survivable option. He’d always had bad luck, but tonight was on another level. The real problem wasn’t just his creditors-turned chasers. No, if his gut feeling was right, this sequence of events usually only meant one thing, it was her.

Ahead of him, Aria burst into view, stumbling into the alley from the back entrance of a nearby lab. Her glasses sat crooked on her soot covered face, her bag clutched tightly against her chest. Arc didn’t need to guess what was in it. Knowing her, it was probably something super shady considering her track record of inventions.

The moment their eyes met, Arc cursed under his breath. Of course it was her, his life was at risk of getting cut short so why wouldn't she be here?

Aria froze for half a second before recognition lit up her face. “You have got to be kidding me,” she dreaded, already starting to back away.

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“What are you doing here?” Arc snapped, dodging around a trash can.

“Running away. Same as you it seems” she replied while looking behind them, her voice dripping with frustration. “If I’d known you were involved, I’d have taken another route!”

“Well, sorry to ruin your day,” he shot back.

“Honestly you should be sorry, I was getting away just fine before we met.”

Arc rolled his eyes. It wasn’t the first time their paths had crossed at the worst possible moment, and it probably wouldn't be the last. Their lives, or deaths, rather–always seemed to intertwine. Every time they found each other in a new life, the results were disastrous.

“Don’t tell me you’re the reason they’re chasing me now,” Aria said, falling into step beside him as they both sprinted toward what looked like a dead end.

“Don’t pretend you weren't being chased before I got here,” Arc looked at her casually trying to toss the blame, though part of him wasn’t so sure. The bad luck always seemed worse when she was around.

“Great. Just great,” she muttered, clutching her bag tighter. “I’m guessing you did not bring an exit plan?”

“Why. Would I? I don't exactly make plans much less ones anticipating I'd get chased to death.” 

The sound of the pursuers grew louder behind them, and Aria shot Arc a glare. “If we die again, I swear—”

“Like I planned this?” Arc interrupted. “If anyone should swearing, it’s me! I was doing fine until you showed up.”

“Fine? You were running for your life.”

“And I would have gotten away with said life had I not run into you.”

Before either of them could continue their bickering, a new sound joined the argument—the roar of an engine. They turned in unison to see a car speeding toward them, headlights cutting through the rain-soaked gloom.

“A-Are you kidding me?!” Aria shouted, her voice a mix of disbelief and fury.

Arc grabbed her arm, trying to pull her to the side, but the wet pavement gave way beneath them. They both tumbled to the ground as the car skidded closer, its tires shrieking against the asphalt.

“If there’s another life after this one,” Aria yelled, scrambling to her knees, “stay away from me!”

“Gladly!” Arc shouted back.

The car’s horn blared, as it came barreling down the alleyway at full speed, and in the blink of an eye, both of them were… well, roadkill.