The Unspoken Encounter

As I walked towards the usual place, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the city, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of nervousness that had been building up since I received Hawks' text. I had told my friends that I was going to meet him alone, and they had all seemed to accept it without question, but now that I was actually here, I couldn't help but wonder if I had made a mistake. The usual place was a small, quiet café on the outskirts of the city. It was a spot that Hawks and I had stumbled upon by chance a few months ago, and it had become our go-to place for clandestine meetings. I had always felt safe there, but now, as I pushed open the door and scanned the room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The café was dimly lit, with only a few patrons scattered about. I spotted Hawks sitting in the corner, nursing a cup of coffee. He looked up and caught my eye, a small smile playing on his lips. My heart skipped a beat as I made my way over to him. "Hey," I said, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach. Hawks stood up, his eyes locked on mine. "Thanks for coming," he said, his voice low and smooth. I took a seat across from him, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The café was quiet, with only the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cups in the background. Hawks and I sat there for a moment, not saying anything, the tension between us palpable. Finally, Hawks spoke up. "So, I guess you want to know what this is about?" he asked, his eyes searching mine. I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah, I do." Hawks took a deep breath, his expression serious. "It's about the League," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. My eyes widened, my mind racing with possibilities. What did Hawks know about the League? And what did he want to tell me? I leaned in, my ears straining to hear what he had to say.