The afternoon air felt heavy.
Dark clouds gathered slowly above the city of Nemor, covering the sun and turning the sky a dull shade of gray. The wind carried the faint smell of rain, hinting that another storm would soon arrive.
Liora and Sofia continued walking along the sidewalk.
Students from their school filled the streets, chatting and laughing as they headed home.
But Liora couldn't shake the uneasy feeling inside her.
It felt like someone was watching.
Again.
She glanced behind her.
Nothing unusual.
Cars passed along the road. A few people waited at a bus stop. The city moved normally, completely unaware of the tension tightening in her chest.
"You did it again," Sofia said suddenly.
"What?"
"You looked back."
Liora forced a smile.
"I told you… it's just a habit."
Sofia sighed.
"You're terrible at lying."
Before Liora could respond, they reached an intersection where their paths split.
"My house is this way," Sofia said, pointing down a smaller street.
Liora nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Text me when you get home," Sofia said again, repeating the same words from the night before.
Liora smiled faintly.
"I will."
They waved goodbye and walked in opposite directions.
Soon, Liora found herself alone.
The street she took home was quieter than the main road.
Tall buildings lined both sides, and the sidewalks were almost empty.
Her footsteps echoed softly against the pavement.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves of the trees above.
Liora tightened her grip on the strap of her bag.
The uneasy feeling returned.
Stronger this time.
She slowed her steps slightly.
Then she heard it.
Footsteps behind her.
Not loud.
But steady.
Following.
Her heart began to race.
Don't panic.
She told herself that it might just be another pedestrian.
Still…
She glanced over her shoulder.
A man was walking about ten meters behind her.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Wearing a dark jacket.
The moment their eyes almost met—
He looked away.
Pretending to check his phone.
Liora quickly faced forward again.
Her pulse pounded loudly in her ears.
Maybe it was nothing.
Maybe she was just imagining things.
But then—
Another pair of footsteps joined the first.
This time from the other side of the street.
She dared another quick glance.
A second man.
Walking at the same pace.
Her stomach dropped.
They were following her.
Her steps quickened.
The men behind her did the same.
The street ahead suddenly felt much longer than usual.
She needed to reach the main road.
If she could just get there—
A car suddenly pulled up beside the sidewalk.
A black van.
The sliding door opened instantly.
Everything happened in seconds.
A third man jumped out.
His hand grabbed Liora's arm.
"Hey—!"
She tried to pull away.
"Let go!"
But his grip tightened.
The two men behind her rushed forward.
"Get her in the van!"
Panic exploded inside her chest.
She kicked and struggled desperately.
"Help!"
But the street was too empty.
No one was close enough to hear.
The man tried to drag her toward the van.
"You're coming with us."
Fear flooded her body.
Her mind screamed one name.
Adrian.
And then—
A shadow moved.
Fast.
The man holding her suddenly jerked backward.
A fist slammed into his face with brutal force.
CRACK.
He collapsed instantly.
The other two men froze in shock.
A tall figure stepped between Liora and the van.
Dark coat.
Sharp eyes.
Cold expression.
Adrian.
For a split second, the men stared at him in disbelief.
"Impossible," one of them muttered.
"You should be dead."
Adrian flexed his bandaged arm slightly.
"Bad luck for you."
The second man reached for a weapon.
But Adrian moved first.
He grabbed the man's collar and slammed him hard against the side of the van.
The metal dented with a loud bang.
The last man lunged forward.
Adrian spun and kicked him in the stomach.
The attacker crashed to the ground, gasping for air.
Everything was over in seconds.
The men groaned on the pavement, completely defeated.
Adrian turned slowly toward Liora.
She stood frozen, her breathing uneven.
"You're late," she said weakly.
One corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"You're welcome."
Relief washed over her.
Then anger followed immediately.
"You told me to forget about you!"
"I did."
"Then why are you here?"
Adrian glanced briefly at the unconscious men on the ground.
"Because they aren't."
Liora frowned.
"What?"
"They're not forgetting you."
Her heart sank.
"They… came because of you."
Adrian met her gaze.
"Yes."
Silence fell between them.
The wind picked up again, carrying the distant rumble of thunder.
Liora crossed her arms.
"You owe me an explanation."
Adrian sighed quietly.
"You really don't want that."
"Try me."
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then he said something that made her blood run cold.
"The people chasing me?"
His voice turned darker.
"They don't leave witnesses."
Liora felt the weight of his words sink in slowly.
Which meant only one thing.
Now that they had seen her…
She had become part of the problem.
And part of the danger.
The rain began to fall again.
Soft at first.
Adrian glanced at the darkening sky.
Then back at her.
"You can't go home tonight."
Liora blinked.
"What?"
His expression remained serious.
"They'll come back."
The rain grew heavier.
And the truth hit her all at once.
From this moment forward…
Her normal life was officially over.
Because she had helped the man in the rain.