Feral → newt, tmr

According to Aris’s quick estimation, there are five guards in total, minus the one he’s already targeting. The plan feels razor-thin, a fragile thread they’re all clinging to. He’s already making his move, silent and determined, his steps precise as he weaves through the shadows. Meanwhile, Chris and Katherine remain in their hiding spot, crouched low and waiting for the signal.

The tension is suffocating. Chris’s breathing is shallow, his eyes darting between the guards and Katherine as he bounces his leg nervously. Katherine, however, seems calm—too calm, as if the weight of the moment hasn’t hit her yet. Then, she does something that makes his heart practically leap into his throat.

She begins unbuttoning the top of her blouse, her fingers moving with deliberate precision. Next, she runs her hands through her hair, tugging and mussing it into a chaotic mess.

Chris stares at her, wide-eyed, as if she’s lost her mind. “Woah. Woaah. What are you doing?” His voice comes out in a harsh whisper, loud enough to make her pause but not enough to alert the guards.

“We’re doing this the old-fashioned way,” she replies, her tone sharp, her focus unbroken.

Chris blinks, trying to process her words. “What? You’re gonna seduce them?”

“Not exactly.” Katherine huffs and leans toward him, her fingers suddenly digging into his curls. She messes them up in a frenzy, ignoring his squawk of protest. “We’re going to distract them first. Otherwise, they’ll put a bullet in our skulls before we can get close.”

Chris’s protest dies on his lips. He sighs, still watching her with a mix of bewilderment and grudging admiration. “Alright, let’s get it done,” he mutters, shaking his head like he’s resigned to whatever chaos she’s about to unleash.

Katherine smirks faintly. “We’re about to do something bad, so don’t take it personally.”

Chris smirks back, the kind of grin that comes naturally to him in moments like this. “I’ll consider it.”

And with that, Katherine bolts from their cover.

“Help! Somebody help!” Her voice rings out, panicked and desperate, cutting through the tense air.

Chris watches from the shadows, his chest tightening. He knows it’s an act, but damn, she’s good. Too good. The way her voice wavers, the terror in her cry—it’s almost enough to convince him, let alone the guards.

The guards, as expected, whirl around at the sound of her voice, guns raised, tense and ready to fire.

Katherine stumbles toward them, her breaths coming out in frantic gasps. “Help me! He tried to touch me!”

The guards exchange confused glances, lowering their weapons slightly at her disheveled state.

“Who? Are you okay?” one of them asks, stepping forward.

Katherine shakes her head frantically, her lower lip trembling as she keeps up the facade of an innocent, terrified girl. “I’m scared. Please, you have to help me!”

Just as planned, Chris steps out from behind the boxes, his expression twisted into a psychotic grin. He tilts his head, his posture loose but menacing as he walks into the open.

Katherine gasps dramatically, stumbling back to hide behind the guards. “He’s the guy!” she cries, pointing a trembling finger at Chris.

“Hands up!” one of the guards barks, raising his gun again, his stance rigid.

Chris smirks, his hands slowly rising in mock surrender. “Geez, man. I was just trying to have a little fun.” His tone is light, but there’s a dangerous edge to it that makes the guards hesitate.