Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTR9WCKAQTW9JYEY8SSFEWF

Rain lashed down on the city streets like a malevolent entity, casting a gloomy shroud over the already-dreary alleyways of Soho. Detective Harlow Quinn sprinted down the pavement, her eyes fixed on the fleeing figure of Tomás Herrera. Her sharp jaw was set in determination, her worn leather watch glinting on her wrist as she pumped her arms to maintain her pace. "Stop, Herrera!" she yelled, her voice hoarse from shouting over the rain. "I just want to talk!" Tomás didn't look back, his dark curls plastered to his forehead as he weaved through the crowded streets. Quinn's military precision training allowed her to stay hot on his heels, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of an ambush or potential escape routes. As they careened down a side street, the distinctive green neon sign of The Raven's Nest flickered overhead, casting an eerie glow over the wet pavement. Tomás ducked into the bar, vanishing from view. Quinn followed, bursting through the door as the sounds of jazz and hushed conversations enveloped her. The dimly lit bar was a labyrinth of narrow corridors and cramped tables, the air thick with smoke and the stench of cheap perfume. Quinn's eyes adjusted slowly, her gaze sweeping the room as she homed in on Tomás's olive skin. He was already pushing through the crowd, heading toward the back of the bar. Quinn elbowed her way through the patrons, earning more than a few hostile glances. She ignored them, her focus solely on Tomás as he slipped behind a tattered bookshelf. The shelf creaked, and a section of the wall swung open, revealing a hidden passageway. Quinn hesitated, her hand on the grip of her gun. Something didn't feel right. The bar's patrons seemed oblivious to the hidden door, but Quinn's instincts screamed that this was more than just a simple back room. With a deep breath, she followed Tomás into the passage. The air grew colder, the smell of damp earth and mold filling her nostrils as the door creaked shut behind her. A narrow stairway led down into darkness, the only sound the distant rumble of the Tube and the soft murmur of voices. Quinn's heart rate quickened as she descended the stairs, her hand on the wall to guide her. The air grew thick with the scent of incense and something else – something sweet and acrid. Her stomach twisted in a knot of unease. At the bottom of the stairs, Quinn found herself in a cavernous space filled with makeshift stalls and shoppers haggling over strange, glowing wares. The Veil Market. She'd heard whispers of this place, a supernatural black market hidden beneath the city's streets. Tomás was nowhere to be seen, but Quinn spotted a familiar symbol etched into the wall – a bone token, the entry requirement for this clandestine market. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of her suspect. A figure emerged from the shadows, a hood pulled up over their head. "Welcome, Detective," they said, their voice like a snake slithering through grass. "We don't often get visitors from the... mundane world." Quinn's hand tightened on her gun. "I'm looking for Tomás Herrera. He's a person of interest in a case I'm working on." The figure chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "I'm afraid Tomás is... indisposed. But you're welcome to browse our wares, Detective. I'm sure you'll find something that... enlightens you." Quinn's eyes locked onto the figure, her mind racing with possibilities. She could try to find Tomás, but that would mean navigating this treacherous market alone. Or she could retreat, regroup, and come back with reinforcements. But something about this place drew her in, a morbid curiosity about the secrets that lurked beneath the city's streets. Quinn took a deep breath, her eyes adjusting to the dim light as she stepped forward, into the heart of the Veil Market. "I'll take my chances," she said, her voice firm. The figure nodded, a hint of a smile playing on their lips. "Very well, Detective. Let's see how long you last in our little world."