“Well - this is not good. ” Marcus whispered to everyone as they approached the address on the slip of paper on foot.

  “What? Why?” Elvin asked: “Looks like a niough unity? Very tall buildings, very new, and they have security guard booths as well - they must be kinda safe right? We don’t even have fences like this.”

  “No - it’s just - it’s too close to the unfinished apartments where I hid.” Marcus shook his head, and pushed the cheap looking sungsses up his face: “But - yeah, I guess we should really keep a.”

  The unity was indeed new. Elvi up to the security guard booth to show them the keys to prove that they’re actually legit residents. He did not o say too much, just a few greetings, a smile and an attitude like he had always lived there.

  The apartment had obviously been ed, thhly as well. Before they even got to the door Marcus could smell the smell of detergent. Mixed in the chemical smell was also a touch of ashes and dles.

  At the feet of some of the interior walls, littered dark burn marks oiles, carpet and drywall. Marcus slowed down a bit to take a closer look - they seemed to e from chemical burns instead of simple fire, for the surrounding area did not show any discoloration from heat. When he focused his Qi on his eyes, nothing suspicious appeared in his vision around these burns. This was not enough to lighten his alert or , but at least it won’t raise any more arms.

  He looked around the living room once more, with his vision at full force. To his relief, there was nothing worrisome. The only thing that was somewhat strange was the inexplicable glowing spots on the walls and the ceilings. It was as if some kind of sporadic blessing ritual happened here.

  Between the living room and the baly was a set of gss door-to-ceiling windows, and outside of which was another set of metal fences. Keryn was already examining them, for they appeared to be quite out of pce. And judging from the welding marks on the side, they definitely did not e with the apartment but were installed by the ndlord.

  “So - what do you think?” Kevin asked Marcus.

  “I think it’s safe.” Marodded.

  “Yeah, the door’s hardened as well.” Mick chuckled, pointing at the metal frame of the main door aal pnts in the er.

  “Okay.” Marcus checked his pho was already te iernoon. His appoi with Master Liaoran was in the evening. This left him one crucial thing to do : he o handle whatever Captain Ko left for him, sihe captain still had not made tact with them, or even answered their call from the ndline.

  The apartment looked , two already furnished bedrooms, one spare room with one inftable mattress stashed in the closet. The inal owocked the apartment with enough bs, duvets and even an emergency medical kit. The fridge was not full but had some snacks and drinks i was as if the owner already khat people would be io stay for short periods of time.

  “Remember, keep an eye orance of the unity.” Before he walked out the door, carrying nothing but a kit knife, Marcus cautioned everyohey may search for us in this area. And they just might be looking for me in the area. So - please be safe. And also, don’t fet to call me if there’s anything.”

  “That’s the Kshiti Temple out there, should we try to check them out?” Mick asked while pointing at the baly.

  “No - don’t - it’s too risky.” Marcus immediately shook his head: “Just follow your own advice, okay? Lay low, rest and wait. And try to memorize where the escape routes be.”

  “I’ll check those out. Since I’m the most fettable one here.” Elvin mumbled.

  “Dad, be careful.” Marodded, before closing the door and waving at them: “Also, don’t hesitate to use the gun.”

  Walking dowairs, out of the unity gate and into the street was as smooth as it could be. He would still have less than three hours before the sun would set, which meant he o go to the captain’s pce right away, and maybe pray that no one would be scouting around the area.

  It took him around ten minutes before he caught a taxi. Lucky for him, the driver preferred taking cash and would happily drive to the South-Western District.

  Barely a moment after he sat down, a small pile of fliers at the back of the passenger’s seat caught Marcus’ attention.

  “Revitalized Food Festival of Poison City - e Pick YOUR POISON!” in bold, red letters, and fiery patterns around the edges.

  “Sir, is this new?” Marcus asked the driver.

  “The food festival fliers? Yeah, they’re new.” The driver chuckled: “Some guy paid me to have them in there, it’s like - week, right? ”

  “Yeah. week.” Marcus checked the date, it would be just five days from today, and the area - he could n: “Do you know where this will be? I don’t really reize this address.”

  “Oh! Yeah, it’s going to be in the Northern District, they opened up some rich guy’s mansion. I heard they are going to have raffles there as well, you even win a neretty exg, huh?”

  “Holy shit.” Marcus mumbled under his breath before looking up at the rearview mirror: “ I take one?”

  “Sure! Take all of it for all I care.” The driver chuckled: “If the guy es again and see I’m out, he might pay me again, huh? Man’s gotta eat!”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Marcus took two fliers and put them into his pocket.