In Nihl, the night buzzed with the noise of cars, their lights flickering between tall buildings and well-paved roads.Elil stood beneath the falling rain, his eyes fixed on the grey horizon.The sound of the downpour drowned out the city's chaos — nature's way of silencing the world.
Is the world truly grey? Or are my eyes simply tinted by sorrow?
He walked through the streets of Nihl, his footsteps steady, one after another, echoing against the wet asphalt.His jet-black hair clung to his forehead, and his eyes — those eyes — were filled with the darkness of a life worn down.
Standing at 176 cm, slim and shadowy, he wore a hoodie and long Western-brand trousers.With his left hand — his dominant one — he held a cigarette, lifting it to his lips.The burn in his lungs was familiar; he already knew where this habit would lead him.
After five minutes of walking, the criminal office stood before him.He stepped inside. The rain stayed behind.
— "Hey, Leon."— "Hey, Mike."
He grabbed a coffee, warm steam rising from its brown surface.Sitting at his desk, he began to wonder:"What's today's case?"
— "Oh, you came in late. Took a short break."
He sipped the coffee."Damn… This world is strange. I never imagined it would be this bad."
He flipped open a case file:"An old woman running a small stall in the countryside. Beaten up. Great, that's tomorrow."
He closed the file and set it down.Took one last sip, placed the cup on the desk, and headed toward the door.
Just then, voices caught his attention:
— "Believe me, sir… This is my last chance."— "There won't be another one. You may leave."
Footsteps approached.Elil stepped aside, blending into the shadows.
Then a sharper voice:— "Wait. If we gave you one more chance… what would you offer us?"
A soft, trembling reply:— "Anything, sir. I have children. A house to provide for… Anything but that."
— "Alright. You may go. I'll think about it."— "Thank you. I'm truly grateful."
As she stepped out, she bumped into Elil.
— "Oh… I'm sorry."
She looked down, embarrassed, and moved aside.Elil watched her walk away.
"She was always stunning in everyone's eyes. But I have a feeling… things are only going to get worse."
Then came the captain's laugh:— "Finally… she's mine."
Elil turned away and walked out into the night.