The tip of a cigarette lit up in the darkness as black eyes gazed at the sky covered in dense clouds.

– Full moon night... – the man complained.

He was sitting in the backseat of a moving car, slowly cruising through a neighborhood adorned with red-brick houses, brownstones, and converted industrial buildings.

– The weather forecast is a joke, – his voice was warm as he gently massaged a pocket of his jacket. – I was hoping for the perfect weather tonight, what a disappointment.

Sullen, he stared outside, as the driver seemed to ignore him. His eyes narrowed as he observed figures lurking between alleys and sidewalks; solitary and invisible to society's gaze.

– Like worms in the dirt... – he muttered to himself in disdain. – Oblivious to their own insignificance.

The yellow lights illuminated a path filled with nightclubs blasting loud music with deep bass, creating an unsettling sensation. On the street corners, women and men smoked and flaunted their physical attributes.

– Freedom Valley, I love this district. – he remarked, watching the women’s low-cut tops and their short skirts revealing more than they should. His statement came with an inciting, almost perverse, smile. – Do you think we can stop for a bit of fun?

– Haven't you had your fill for today? – The driver asked in a deep voice, gripping the steering wheel irritably.

– You can never have enough. – the man said, staring at the forced smiles through the tinted window. – Can we stop?

The driver didn't respond; he abruptly accelerated the car. The man's eyes narrowed at the sudden shift.

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– Fine… Have it your way. – he said, stubbing out his cigarette on the car seat.

The car continued south of the district, finally stopping on the right side of a deserted street, keeping the engine running. The man in the backseat coldly observed a building under renovation. A large sign stood in front, reading ‘Santa Claudia Hospital Renovation,’ accompanied by an image of a black woman with a welcoming smile.

– You’ve got an hour. – the driver declared, looking over his shoulder. – Don't waste time; the cameras should already be on loop.

– Be patient, I won’t take long. – the man said nonchalantly, but his tone shifted to something more sinister as he lit another cigarette. – But keep in mind that I’ll handle the situation my way.

He smiled, though the driver didn’t reciprocate, starting a digital timer that displayed sixty minutes.

– One hour. – the driver said, tapping his finger for every second that passed.

– As always, you don't know how to savor a meal.

The man in the backseat opened the door and stepped onto the uneven asphalt, staring at the building in front of him. He was young, with fair skin and black eyes. His features revealed his Asian descent, and his slender, attractive face exuded charm. He was slim, dressed in dark, tight clothes. His hair was shaved on the sides, while the top was long, thick, and black, combed to the right, with strands falling over his face.

– I’ll be right behind you. – the driver said after lowering the front window.

– Honestly, there’s no need. I prefer handling this alone. – he replied, closing the door and giving two light taps on the car.

– I don’t care about your preferences. – the driver responded, driving off to an unknown destination.

– Polite as ever.

The charming man forced a smile, crushing his cigarette with his fingers as he watched the car leave. As he approached the construction gate, he noticed broken chains and a padlock discarded on the dirt. There were also signs of ongoing construction, warning signals, and a sign: ‘Entry only for authorized personnel.’

He looked at the sign and smelled the scent of earth and concrete. Clicking his tongue at the state of his cigarette, he quickly discarded it and stepped on it. Then, he pulled a cellphone from his pocket and glanced at a message containing some random characters, including the number 425.

– Well then, to work... – he murmured to himself, slowly entering the building under renovation, putting his phone away as his figure disappeared into the darkness of the place.