"Rain!" He responded to her panicked cry. Hands gripped him as they did Rain, keeping him from reaching for her. Tears of blood welled in the corners of his eyes that strained to see as he struggled for the hands to release their hold. More hands grabbed him, anchoring him in place. They were feet apart yet they could not reach. 

    "Please," She whimpered in terror, tears flowing through the lashes of her own squinting eyes. The unfamiliar hands were rough and invading, holding her still despite her struggles. "Please, let me go."

    The voices died away and all that remained was Rain's panicked breaths rising and falling like a frightened tide on the air. From between her exhales, a new sound began to grow from the emptiness.

    A lone set of footsteps began their approach, echoing in a slow rhythm against the stone of the bridge. It was different than the others; an arrogant pace that remained steady in their advance. It seemed to strike a cord deep within Rain's Master as he ceased all movement, becoming still as his ears fixed on the sound of the steps.