LOST IN THE RAIN

THE WHISPER IN THE ALLEY

The rain had stopped for the first time in days, but the air was still heavy, smelling of wet concrete and metal. Sofia walked a few steps behind Ethan, her hoodie pulled tight, trying not to draw attention.

They had left the coffee shop earlier than usual. Ethan had insisted. “We can’t stay in one place too long,” he’d said.

Now, they were taking the long way back to his apartment — through narrow streets, past dim shop windows, and into the part of the city where the streetlights flickered instead of shone.

“Are you sure about this?” Sofia whispered.

“Not even a little,” Ethan answered without turning. “But I’d rather know where he is than wonder.”

They passed an alley. Something moved in the corner of her eye. A tall shape, leaning just out of the light.

“Ethan…”

“I see him.” His voice was calm, but his hands were in his jacket pockets, tight.

The man stepped forward — tall, dark coat, face half-hidden beneath a brim. He stopped a few feet away, blocking the alley’s mouth.

“You’ve been busy,” the man said. His voice was smooth, too smooth, like he was used to talking his way out of trouble.

Ethan stayed still. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“And yet,” the man’s smile widened, “here I am.” His gaze shifted to Sofia, and it was like a cold wind swept through her. “She’s new.”

“Don’t,” Ethan warned.

“Oh,” the man tilted his head, “so she’s the reason you’ve been hard to find.”

Sofia’s heart pounded. “What do you want?”

The man chuckled. “Same thing I always want, Ethan. What’s mine.”

Ethan took one slow step forward, blocking her view. “You’ll never touch it.”

“Not while you’re breathing,” the man said.

“Then I guess I’ll have to keep breathing,” Ethan replied, his tone like steel.

The man’s smile faded. His eyes locked on Ethan, then flicked to Sofia again. “We’ll see.” He stepped back into the shadows, melting into the darkness like he’d never been there.

Sofia exhaled only when the sound of his footsteps faded. “Who is he?”

“Someone I thought I’d never see again,” Ethan murmured. “And now, I wish I was right.”