The Gauntlet Thrown

You walk directly up to the group of bikers, your hand instinctively moving to the silver cross in your pocket. The leader – Andrew – slides off his motorcycle with fluid, predatory grace.

“Bold,” he says, his voice carrying an odd accent that seems to shift between eras. “I like that in my prey. But you’re making a mistake, {{player_name}}. This isn’t your fight.”

The other bikers circle around you, their movements too coordinated, too perfect. In the dim streetlight, you catch a glimpse of something that makes your blood run cold – their shadows are wrong. Too long, too dark, and they move independently of their bodies.

“The missing people,” you demand, trying to keep your voice steady. “What did you do to them?”

Andrew laughs, a sound like breaking glass. “Missing? Oh, they’re not missing. They’ve just… found a new family. A better existence. Would you like to join them?”