Laura was still on her way back home after leaving the Temple. She moved briskly through the dark woods, heading toward the main road where she could catch a cab.
The night air was cold and still, and the only sound around her was the rustling of leaves and her own footsteps. She kept her pace steady, her senses alert.
Suddenly, a deep masculine voice rang out behind her.
"Laura, why do you choose to help that child of destruction?"
She froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. Slowly, she turned to face the speaker.
"Who are you?" she demanded, anger flashing in her eyes.
The man stood a few feet away, his face completely hidden behind a dark mask. The sight of the mask brought a cold smile to Laura's face.
"Why are you hiding behind that thing?" she asked sharply. "Do you really expect me to answer any of your questions when you can't even show your face? That's cowardly."
The masked man didn't flinch. His voice remained steady and threatening.
