The Night Everything Changed

Rain poured endlessly from the dark sky, crashing against the empty streets like waves. Thunder echoed through the city every few seconds, loud enough to shake the windows of nearby buildings.

Most people had already rushed home.

But Alexa stood alone beneath a flickering streetlight, her umbrella tilted carefully over a tiny trembling kitten curled beside the road.

Its white fur was stained with mud, one of its legs slightly injured from being hit by a passing car.

“Oh no…” Alexa whispered softly, kneeling beside it.

The kitten let out a weak cry.

Her expression tightened with worry as she gently picked it up and wrapped it against her chest.

“I’ll take you home for tonight, okay?”

The moment those words left her mouth, another memory instantly appeared in her mind.

“No animals inside this house, Alexa. Not even for one night.”

Her landlord’s sharp voice replayed clearly.

She looked down at the tiny creature shivering in her arms.

For a moment, guilt crossed her face.

Then slowly, Alexa removed her jacket and spread it carefully beneath the small roof beside the closed flower shop nearby. She folded her shawl into a soft cushion and placed the kitten on top of it.

“There…” she whispered with a smile.

Using the strings from her umbrella, she tied it tightly against the metal stand, creating a tiny shelter to protect the kitten from the heavy rain.

The kitten blinked up at her weakly.

Alexa gently stroked its head.

“You’ll be okay till morning.”

Thunder cracked loudly above her.

Only after making sure the shelter wouldn’t collapse did Alexa finally stand up and start running toward the main road.

Rain soaked her clothes instantly.

The streets were dangerously slippery, but she kept running, hugging her arms tightly against the cold wind.

It was late.

Too late.

The city had become almost silent except for the sound of rain and distant thunder.

Then—

Bright headlights suddenly flashed toward her.

Alexa froze.

A loud screech tore through the road.

BUMP.

Pain exploded through her body before everything went black.

…

The faint beeping sound was the first thing she heard.

Alexa slowly opened her eyes, wincing slightly at the bright hospital lights above her.

Her head hurt badly.

For a few seconds, she stared at the ceiling blankly, trying to remember what had happened.

Rain.

The kitten.

Headlights.

After that…

Nothing.

“You’re awake?”

A nurse walked inside with a relieved expression.

“You were lucky. The injuries weren’t serious.”

Alexa sat up slowly, still confused.

“How did I get here?”

“The person who brought you in left before morning,” the nurse replied casually. “But don’t worry, your treatment has already been paid for.”

Alexa frowned slightly.

“Paid?”

The nurse nodded.

“Everything.”

A strange feeling settled inside her chest.

She didn’t know anyone wealthy enough to casually pay hospital bills for strangers.

But before she could ask more questions, the nurse had already left.

A few hours later, Alexa quietly walked out of the hospital with her bag in hand.

The rain had finally stopped.

The city looked calm again, as if nothing had happened last night.

By the time she reached home, exhaustion completely took over her body.

She changed into dry clothes and collapsed onto her bed without even eating dinner.

Within minutes, she fell asleep.

…

Buzz.

A sudden notification sound broke the silence of the dark room.

Alexa’s eyes slowly opened.

Another buzz followed immediately.

Still half asleep, she reached for her phone from beside the pillow.

Unknown Number.

Her sleepy expression disappeared the moment she read the message.

UNKNOWN: Vesper.

UNKNOWN: We found him.

UNKNOWN: Get to the location. Now.

HEYYY CUTTIES MEETING YOU AFTER LONG TIME AND THIS TIME BACK WITH A NOVEL, I HOPE YOU ALL LOVE IT🫶🏼🫶🏼

FOLLOW AND LIFE FOR MOREEE🫶🏼

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