The moon hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the barren field. Lock Eye stood motionless, as always, his gaze distant. The encounter with Kasha had left him with more questions than answers, but it also stirred something inside him—a feeling he couldn't quite identify. Her words echoed in his mind: "You will need me."
What did she mean by that?
For a brief moment, Lock Eye allowed himself to entertain the thought of someone else understanding him—someone who didn't see his powers as a curse or a weapon. But just as quickly, he pushed the thought away. He didn't need anyone. He had survived alone for this long. And he would continue to do so.
"Hey!"
The voice broke through the night air, sharp and clear. Lock Eye turned swiftly, his eyes scanning the area. Standing just a few feet away, framed by the dim glow of a distant fire, was a girl. She looked no older than he was, with short brown hair that bounced lightly with every step she took. Her clothes were simple, a worn-out jacket, boots, and pants that seemed to have seen better days.
"What do you want?" Lock Eye asked, his voice guarded. He had no time for strangers. The world had already proven that most people only wanted to take advantage of him, to use him for their own gain.
The girl smiled brightly, almost as if she hadn't heard the edge in his tone. She was different—there was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation. Just boldness.
"I was wondering if you could help me," she said, her voice cheerful but with a hint of desperation.
Lock Eye narrowed his eyes, sizing her up. Help her? What could someone like her possibly need from someone like him?
"Help you? With what?" he asked, his skepticism thick in his voice. He wasn't used to people asking him for help, and even more so, he didn't trust them when they did.
The girl hesitated for a moment before she spoke, her expression growing more serious.
"I've been searching for someone… someone like you," she admitted, her gaze dropping for a brief second before meeting his eyes again. "I need your help to save my village. It's under threat, and we don't have much time."
Lock Eye studied her carefully. There was no sign of deceit in her eyes, no ulterior motive. She seemed sincere, but that didn't mean he could trust her.
"Save your village? What does that have to do with me?" he asked, his voice colder now.
The girl seemed to hesitate again, her eyes flickering with a mix of hope and fear.
"You're the one with the Lock Eye, right? I've heard stories—stories of a boy with eyes that can change the world. If you help me, we can stop the war that's coming to my village. You're our only chance."
Lock Eye's eyes narrowed further at the mention of his abilities. He wasn't used to being spoken of in such grand terms. "Stories," she said. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. Everyone feared his powers, but no one had ever said he could change the world.
He had never felt like a savior.
"What's your name?" he asked, a sudden shift in his tone. There was something about this girl's persistence that intrigued him.
"My name's Lina," she answered, her eyes still steady on him. "And I really need your help. Please, I know you're not just some random kid—you're powerful, and we're running out of time."
Lock Eye didn't respond right away. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. There was a desperation in her voice, but it wasn't the desperation of someone lying. It was real. But could he really help her?
Could he help anyone?
"I don't know who told you that," Lock Eye finally said, his voice sharp, "but I don't help people. I don't care about your village or your problems. I'm not the hero you're looking for."
Lina's face fell slightly, but she didn't retreat. She wasn't giving up so easily.
"Maybe you're not a hero… but you could be," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I can see it in your eyes. You may not believe it, but you have the power to change things. To save lives. You just need to choose to use it."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, Lock Eye felt a shift within himself. A spark. It wasn't the first time someone had asked for his help, but something about the way Lina spoke made him wonder. Could he truly make a difference? Or was he always destined to be alone, feared by those around him?
Before he could respond, a low rumble echoed in the distance, causing both of them to tense.
"They're coming…" Lina muttered, her face tightening in fear. "Please, you have to come with me. We don't have much time."
Lock Eye's eyes narrowed as he looked in the direction she pointed. In the distance, he saw the shadows of figures moving toward them—hostile figures. But he could sense something else, too. Something different. These weren't ordinary bandits or marauders.
These were people after something—or someone.
"Fine," Lock Eye said, his voice steady now. "But you owe me an explanation later. I don't do things for free."
Lina's face broke into a relieved smile, and she nodded eagerly.
"Thank you. I swear, you'll understand everything once we're safe."
As Lock Eye followed Lina toward the village, a strange feeling settled in his chest. The weight of his powers, the isolation, the fear—it all felt just a little bit lighter. For the first time in years, maybe there was someone who believed in him. Maybe there was something more than just surviving.
The night had only just begun.
End of Chapter 2