Episode 1: The Unknown Person during the Bad Weather
The city buzzed with activity despite the storm rolling in. Rain pounded the streets, creating pools that reflected flickering streetlights. Most people scurried indoors, seeking refuge from the downpour, but Maya found comfort in her favorite dimly lit café. It was a sanctuary where she could escape the chaos outside.
The café was nearly empty now, save for a few night owls nursing their drinks and a barista wiping down the counter. Maya sat at her usual table by the window, gazing out at the rain-slicked streets, lost in her thoughts. An hour had passed since her phone had died, and she welcomed the disconnection as an excuse to linger longer, reveling in the stillness.
As she watched raindrops race down the glass, a soft chime signaled the entrance of a new customer. Maya barely noticed at first, too engrossed in the storm outside. But then she felt a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle tension that pulled her attention away.
A man stood in the doorway, drenched and shaking off the rain like a stray dog. He scanned the café with a piercing gaze that sent a shiver down Maya’s spine. There was something off about him—too tidy, too calm, as if he didn’t belong here on such a stormy night. Their eyes met, and her heart raced. She quickly looked away, feeling exposed under his scrutiny.
The man approached the counter, ordered something in a low voice, then turned his attention to Maya again, lingering for a moment. She felt the weight of his gaze, and despite her efforts to appear indifferent, anxiety prickled at her skin. She tapped her fingers on the table, trying to dispel the tension.
“Can I take a seat?” he asked, his voice smooth and calm yet carrying an edge that suggested he was not merely making small talk.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Sure.”
He settled into the seat across from her, exuding an air of authority even in the cramped booth. Maya couldn’t help but notice the sharp angles of his face and how his dark hair clung to his forehead, dampened by the rain. He seemed relaxed, but there was tension in his posture, as if he were coiled and ready to spring.
“It’s not a good night to be outside,” he remarked, glancing out the window at the raging storm. His gaze returned to her, sharp and probing. “What brings you here?”
Maya shrugged, feigning casualness. “My phone died. Just waiting for the rain to let up.”
He nodded slowly but then glanced at his phone as it buzzed softly on the table. He didn’t check it.
Curiosity got the better of her. “And you? Did you get caught in the storm too?”
A slight grin played on his lips. “Something like that.”
Before she could ask more, his phone vibrated again, and he glanced down. His expression hardened, and without another word, he stood up.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go,” he said, his voice low and hurried. “Thanks for letting me sit.”
Maya blinked, surprised by his sudden departure. “Oh, sure. No problem.”
As he turned to leave, two men in dark coats appeared outside. They moved quickly, their faces obscured by the rain, but there was something unsettling about their demeanor.
The man noticed them too. His muscles tensed, and he looked back at Maya, urgency flashing across his face.
“Stay inside,” he whispered before slipping through the back door, disappearing into the storm.
Maya’s heart raced as she watched the two men follow him into the downpour. The café fell silent, the rain's relentless rhythm amplifying the unease in her chest. She sensed that everything had changed in that moment, and her ordinary evening had spiraled into something darker.
