The Rain Came Again
806 Words
The next day, Beverly went to work early.
She opened the tattoo shop, and tried to focus on her routine.
She kept thinking of the photograph.
And Daniel.
She barely had any sleep after finding the picture and receiving the strange message.
Part of her wanted to forget everything.
Maybe it was stress.
Maybe there was a simple explanation.
But deep down, she knew she was lying to herself.
At exactly 11 a.m., Amara walked into the shop carrying a cup of coffee.
“You look terrible,” she said.
“Good morning to you too.”
“I’m serious.”
Beverly forced a small smile.
“I didn’t sleep well."
Amara sat on a chair close by.
“Still thinking about that man?”
Beverly looked away.
That answer was enough.
Amara sighed.
“Beverly, be honest. Do you think he’s dangerous?”
“I don’t know,” Beverly replied.
"And that’s what worries me.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Outside, a few customers passed by the shop windows.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
Then the sky was getting darker.
Amara noticed it first.
“Wasn’t it sunny a few minutes ago?”
Beverly looked up.
Dark clouds were beginning to cover the sky.
A familiar feeling settled in her chest.
“No,” she whispered.
Amara frowned.
“No what?”
But Beverly was already staring outside.
Rain began to fall.
Light at first.
Then heavier.
Rain drops started falling like rice.
Very soon, rain filled the entire street.
Amara stood up immediately.
“I’m leaving before this gets worse.”
Beverly laughed softly.
“You hate rain that much?”
“You know I do.”
They walked toward the entrance together.
Beverly reached for the door.
Then stopped.
Her breath caught.
Someone was standing outside.
Daniel.
He stood under the rain as if he didn’t notice it.
His dark shirt was soaked.
Water dripped from his hair.
Yet his expression remained calm.
Almost familiar.
Almost sad.
Amara stepped beside Beverly.
“Who is that?”
Beverly didn’t answer.
Daniel’s eyes met hers.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Beverly slowly opened the door.
“You again?”
“Hi,” Daniel said quietly.
Amara glanced between them.
“You two know each other?”
“No,” Beverly replied quickly.
Daniel said nothing.
That somehow made things worse.
Beverly folded her arms.
“What do you want?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“No.”
Daniel blinked.
“No?”
“You keep appearing out of nowhere. You know things about me. Then you disappear. If you want to talk, explain yourself first.”
Rain continued falling around him.
For a few seconds, he simply watched her.
Then he spoke.
“You saw the message.”
Beverly’s heart skipped.
“What message?”
Daniel looked at her carefully.
“Don’t look for him.”
Beverly’s face became dull.
Beside her, Amara went silent.
Neither of the women had mentioned the text message.
Not to anyone.
“Who are you?” Beverly asked.
Daniel ignored the question.
“They’re already noticing you again.”
A chill ran through her.
“What does that mean?”
His gaze remained fixed on hers.
“You should have started remembering.”
Beverly took a step forward.
“Remembering what?”
Daniel opened his mouth.
Then suddenly stopped.
His expression changed.
The calmness disappeared.
His eyes shifted toward the street.
Like he had sensed something or someone.
“What is it?” Beverly asked.
Daniel didn’t answer.
He looked back at her.
For the first time, she saw concern in his eyes.
Real concern.
“I have to go.”
“What?”
His voice became urgent.
“Not now.”
“No,” Beverly said. “You’re not leaving again.”
But he was already backing away.
“Daniel!”
He stepped farther into the rain.
“Wait!”
Daniel shook his head.
“Stay inside.”
Before Beverly could answer him he turned and walked away.
Fast.
Too fast.
Within seconds, he disappeared.
“Daniel!”
He didn’t stop.
He didn’t even look back.
And just like before, he disappeared.
Beverly stared at the empty street.
The rain continued falling.
Beside her, Amara grabbed her arm.
“Who is that man?”
Beverly didn’t know how to answer.
Because every answer felt wrong.
Finally, she whispered, “I don’t know anymore.”
At that exact moment, her phone buzzed inside her bag. The sound made her freeze.
Slowly, she pulled it out.
Unknown Number.
Her stomach tightened.
Another message appeared on the screen.
THIS TIME, HE WON’T COME BACK EASY.
Beverly stared at the words.
The rain continued falling outside.
And for the first time, she wondered if the message was a warning.
Or a threat.
- Writer
