EPISODE 1 — “THE WOMAN IN THE RAIN”

The night was supposed to be quiet.

A simple walk home, nothing more.

But nothing in Seraphina Hale’s life had been simple for a long time.

Rain began to fall in thin, cold threads as she stepped out of the building, her bag clutched tightly against her chest. Her breath came out shaky, uneven… almost painful. She walked fast, not caring that the streets were nearly empty or that the storm clouds were gathering like bruises above her.

She just needed to leave.

To get away.

To breathe.

Her fingers brushed her ribs—the spot where the bruise throbbed beneath her clothes. She winced but kept walking, her heels clicking against the pavement. Each step felt heavier. Each breath tighter.

Her mind repeated the same thought over and over:

Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Don’t look back.

She didn’t know how long she walked.

She didn’t know when her tears mixed with the rain.

She only knew she couldn’t go home.

Not tonight.

Not ever, maybe.

A thunderclap cracked overhead, startling her. She stumbled, grabbing a lamppost for balance. The world swayed, blurry and wet. Her knees trembled violently as another wave of dizziness hit her.

“Please…” she whispered to no one. “Not now…”

Her vision dimmed at the edges.

Her heartbeat drummed painfully in her ears.

She could barely feel her fingers anymore.

The bruise on her side pulsed like fire.

Her lungs felt too small.

Her legs too weak.

She didn’t notice the motorcycle passing the intersection.

She didn’t notice the rider slowing down.

All she could feel was the storm—outside and inside.

She took one more step.

Just one.

Her heel slid on the wet ground.

Her body tipped forward.

The world spun.

And then—

She collapsed onto the pavement, knees hitting the cold ground, palms splashing into the rainwater pooling beneath her. Her breath hitched, sharp and panicked, her body folding as if it could hide its own pain.

Her hair fell over her face, soaked and heavy, hiding the tears she could no longer hold back.

For the first time that night, Seraphina broke.

“Why… won’t it stop…?” she whispered, voice cracking as she hugged herself tighter.

Lightning flashed.

Raindrops hit harder.

Her shoulders shook uncontrollably, her strength finally giving out as she curled forward.

The last thing she saw through blurred eyes was the faint glow of a motorcycle headlight approaching slowly… cautiously… as if unsure whether to intervene.

Then darkness washed over her completely.

The rain hammered against the pavement, drowning out the distant city noise. Seraphina staggered beneath a flickering streetlight, her breath shallow, her ribs aching with every inhale. Seraphina pressed her hand against her side, trying to cage the pain beneath trembling fingers.

Her legs finally gave out, dropping her to her knees.

She didn’t see the motorcycle slowing behind her.

She didn’t see the tall, broad-shouldered man remove his helmet.

But he saw her.

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