Shadows in the Rain

Start

I woke up in the morning to find that Venom had already left for work. She had thoughtfully prepared breakfast for me, and as I ate, my thoughts drifted back to my encounters with Rain.

Her words echoed in my mind, filled with a mix of frustration and sadness. "It's your job. Why are you asking me?" she had retorted when I tried to understand her better. Her voice was cold, guarded, and it stung.

I remembered how desperate I had felt, trying to reach out to her. "Why are you so rude?" I had asked, my irritation getting the better of me.

"I'm not rude," she had replied simply, her tone devoid of emotion, as if she had shut herself off from the world.

Then there was the moment she cried, her vulnerability laid bare. When I tried to comfort her, she pleaded, "Leave," her voice cracked with raw emotion.

And finally, the words that haunted me the most, spoken in a low, broken voice: "Aren't you going to leave? They will still pay you. Just leave."

As I finished my breakfast, the weight of Rain's pain and isolation settled over me like a heavy cloak. Despite her cold exterior and harsh words, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her story, something buried deep beneath the surface.

Determined to break through her defence, I resolved to return to the mansion. Rain needed someone to care, even if she refused to admit it, and I was determined to be that person.

As I sat there, Rain's words echoed in my mind: "Aren't you going to leave? They will still pay you. Just leave." She was right. It was my job to help her, but how could I when I wasn't a real psychologist? I was just a con artist, trying to play a role I wasn't prepared for.

Feeling a surge of anxiety, I grabbed my phone and began searching for advice. One article caught my eye: "If someone refuses to talk with you, you need to build a connection first." It listed activities that could help foster a connection, and I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could do this.

Determined, I made a list of things I needed and headed out. I bought art supplies, puzzles, and a few simple games—things that might break the ice and help Rain feel more comfortable.

Armed with my new purchases and a renewed sense of purpose, I headed back to the mansion. It was time to put my plan into action and, hopefully, reach Rain in a way that no one else had been able to.

I arrived at the mansion once again, my heart pounding with a mix of determination and anxiety. As I stepped into Rain's room, the familiar darkness enveloped me. I couldn't see her, but I knew she was there, watching.

Gently, I placed the bag of supplies on the table, unsure if she'd even be interested in what I had brought. Just as I was about to turn and leave, her voice broke through the silence.

"Are you leaving already?"

Her words stopped me in my tracks. I turned back towards the room, trying to make out her figure in the dim light. "No," I said softly, taking a step closer. "I just thought you might need some space."

She didn't respond immediately, and I hesitated, unsure of what to do next. "I brought some things," I continued, my voice steady. "Activities you can do  Just... to kill the time if you are up for it."

There was a long pause before she spoke again. "What kind of activities?"

Relieved that she hadn't dismissed the idea outright, I opened the bag and began to take out the items one by one. "Well, there's some art supplies, puzzles, a few games," I explained, laying them out on the table. "We can try anything you like."

Rain was silent for a moment, and then I heard her take a few steps closer. She scanned the bag and maybe looked at what I really bought

"There is only one I can do alone," she looked at me and raised her eyebrows, and to think about it, she was right