TWO MONTHS LATER
Rain fell in relentless sheets, drenching the cobblestone streets of the quiet town. The sky was dark, with only the occasional flicker of lightning illuminating the shadows that clung to every corner. The steady drumming of the rain on rooftops and the soft gurgle of water through gutters were the only sounds breaking the silence. Lamplights flickered futilely in the harsh winds.
Most of the townspeople were tucked away in their homes, warm and dry. A figure in a dark, hooded cloak darted through the downpour, their silhouette barely visible. They hunched over, trying to make themselves as small as possible, the hood pulled low to obscure their face.
Every few paces, the figure glanced over their shoulder, eyes wide and vigilant. They moved with quiet speed, slipping through the shadows, staying close to buildings where the light from the streetlamps barely reached. The rain hammered down, creating a constant, deafening noise that drowned out other sounds.
