3: THE WOMAN IN THE RAIN

You’ve been watching me like you want something. What is it exactly, truth? Or trouble?

A light rain falls on cobblestone It’s almost midnight

Amy Finn is walking out of the warehouse early. Ellie is standing across the street under the dim halo of a streetlamp for the first time, Amy walks toward her.

She froze,rain tapped against the brim of her hat. Her fingers clutched the edge of her coat like it might protect her from what was coming.

Amy Finn was walking toward her not fast not slow just deliberate.

Ellie’s pulse thundered, her mouth was dry, and every instinct screamed at her to run.

But she didn’t because something in those eyes those dark, glinting, knife sharp eyes told her If you run, she’ll chase. So Ellie stood still,she’s smaller than I thought, Ellie noted. Not in presence Just height. But she walks like the world owes her something; Like it already gave it to her once and she broke it.

Amy stopped three feet away, no umbrella.

Rain sliding down her collar, soaking her black velvet like ink in water.

You’ve been watching me; she said, her voice low, for days.

Her accent was New York, but refined. Like it had been burned clean with money and anger.

Ellie swallowed, you saw me.

Amy tilted her head. The corner of her lip twitched not a smile, Not exactly.

I saw you the first night, she said. I let you go

Ellie nodded slowly, not trusting her voice.

Amy’s eyes scanned her face like it was something she was trying to remember.

You don’t look like someone who belongs here she murmured; docks, warehouse, blood on the floor maybe I don’t,Ellie replied softly but neither do you. That caught Amy off guard.

Just for a second.

Her expression didn’t shift, but something in her gaze tightened. The girl was sharper than expected.

Most of them the ones who followed her, flirted with danger they were thrill-seekers. Rich kids playing pretend. But this one? She looked too still too serious.

Amy watched her for a beat too long.

There was something familiar about the curve of her jaw, the steadiness in her silence.

You have a name? Amy asked Ellie, she said. Eliano Marchetti. Amy blinked once

Marchetti? She kept her face calm Her body still, you shouldn’t be here, I know.

So why are you? Ellie didn’t answer right away she shifted her weight like she was searching for the truth under her tongue.

I needed to see something real, she said.

Amy raised an eyebrow, you think I’m real?

I think you’re the first real thing I’ve ever seen.

Silence stretched between them, the sound of rain distant horns. Amy took one step closer you shouldn’t say things like that she whispered, Not to people like me.

Ellie looked up at her, chin tilted just enough to be brave, Why?

Because I might believe you. Intimate, Dangerous, Sharp Ellie: You scare me.

Amy (calm): Good.

Ellie: But you don’t scare me enough to stay away.

Amy: Then you’re either brave... or stupid.

Ellie: Or both.

Amy’s lip curved slightly again, That almost smile that never reached her eyes.

You’re not what I expected neither are you, Ellie replied

Amy’s Internal Conflict, She’s Marchetti blood. I should walk away, I should warn her to never come back. I should remind her what I’ve done to men twice her size.

But something about her... It’s not just the face, It’s the eyes. They’re Giulia’s, but not haunted yet; not yet.

Amy takes a step back. Don’t follow me

Okay.

Don’t wait here tomorrow, Okay.

Don’t look at me like that Ellie says nothing.

Amy turns and walks back to her car. Ellie stands in the rain, heart pounding.

And tomorrow? She’ll be back.