George cast one last longing glance at the warm scene, then left the brightly lit street and turned into a dark, narrow alley—the only way to his residence.
Suddenly, a mysterious voice halted him.
"Wait."
Cold sweat broke out on George's face as he remembered some terrifying rumors: It was said that in the kingdom's shadows, a "black market" existed where Ogres and Great Goblin clansmen secretly gathered to sell human organs and flesh for consumption. This was absolutely illegal in normal circumstances.
Was he running into one of those black market merchants?
George wanted to run, but his feet felt like they were filled with lead. He could only stiffly turn his head and stammer, "Don't, don't catch me."
In a daze, he saw a robed figure not far away. It was hard to distinguish the person's gender; their build was similar to his, at least not an Ogre or a Great Goblin.
George finally breathed a sigh of relief.