Chapter 6: The Serpent’s Coil

In the dilapidated room above the garage, Silas surveyed a map of Clover Creek, his eyes lingering on key locations: the diner, the hardware store, the sheriff’s department. He traced a route with his finger, a plan forming in his mind.

He had learned a lot about Veridian Sight in their brief encounter. He was fast, agile, and surprisingly strong. But he also had weaknesses. He was protective and impulsive, and he seemed to care about the people of this backwater town.

Silas intended to exploit those weaknesses.

He gathered his crew, a small but ruthless group of men and women, each with their own unique skills. There was “Razor,” a wiry woman with a talent for infiltration; “Hammer,” a hulking brute with a penchant for violence; and “Whisper,” a tech expert who could hack into any system.

He laid out his plan, his voice low and persuasive. They would hit Clover Creek hard and fast, creating chaos and confusion. They would target key locations, disrupt the town’s infrastructure, and draw Veridian Sight out into the open.

“The shadow wants to play hero?” Silas said, his eyes gleaming with a cruel intensity. “Let’s give him a reason to play.”

He knew that Veridian Sight would try to stop them. He was predictable, driven by a naive sense of justice. But Silas had a plan for that too. He had a way to neutralize the shadow, a weapon that would exploit his weaknesses, a trap that would ensnare him.

The serpent was coiled, ready to strike, and Clover Creek was about to learn that the shadows held more than just a hero.