The sky had turned an bruised shade of purple, and the drizzle transformed into a heavy downpour. Sohan stepped onto the main road, her small boots splashing in the puddles. The world felt muffled by the sound of the rain. She remembered her mother's warning: "Stay on the main road, Sohan. Never take the alleys."
But as she reached the halfway point, a figure stumbled out from a dark corner. The man smelled of something sharp and bitter—alcohol. His eyes were bloodshot, and his smile didn't reach his face; it was a jagged, terrifying curve.
"Hey, little girl," he rasped, his voice barely audible over the thunder. "Your mother sent me. There's a shortcut through here to keep you dry."
Sohan hesitated. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. She looked at the wide, safe road and then at the narrow, dark alley he was pointing to. The man's shadow loomed over her, blocking the light. In that moment, the yellow umbrella felt less like a magical shield and more like a target.
"I... I have to go," she whispered, her voice trembling.
But it was too late. The hunter's hand clamped down on her small shoulder. The rain washed away her first cry for help, and the world went cold.