Thunder cracked and lightning raced across the sky. The window panes rattled and the room illuminated with a momentary brilliance. Ashlin propped herself up on an elbow and looked out of the window above the couch she was sleeping on. The steady rain had evolved into a full blown thunderstorm, complete with booming thunder and arcing lightning. She threw off the blanket Rebecca had given her and walked to one of the tall windows, turning on a small lamp along the way. Ashlin brushed a lock of hair behind her ear as she leaned her head against the cool glass.

The apartment the siblings shared was located deep within Seattle. It was ringed by buildings that dwarfed there’s, towering hotels and important looking offices buildings for the most part. She was watching the rain sweep against the building across from hers, a hotel. It was the same expensive hotel that she saw that black SUV parked at. She wondered if that man was in there somewhere. Maybe he was watching the storm with her. It was an attractive notion, however unlikely.

Ashlin couldn’t shake the way that man looked at her. That feeling, that overwhelming sense of closeness had left as soon as he broke eye contact. But while he was looking at her, Ashlin felt like he had been there for her and her alone, to see that she was…safe. It was pure fantasy, she knew, but that feeling had been much too strong to ignore then and even now.

There were a few lights still burning through curtains but for the most part, the hotel was dark. Lightning flashed again followed by rumble of thunder. She watched the rain cascading down the smooth glass of the hotel. Ashlin noted in wonder how the lightning reflected a distorted image of its self when it manifested. How rain gave an elegant shape to the wind, its gales becoming solid. She folded her arms across her chest and marveled at nature’s fury.

A third pair of eyes ignited in the arcing light, unbeknownst to the world below. It’s gaze shaded a dull gold, the figures body was encased in the shadows, watching the other players with a hint of cold amusement. The assassin couldn’t see him nor could the girl make out his cloaked figure through the wind and rain. His fierce gaze watched her innocent face hungrily. She was close…so close.

But so was he…the lost angel with all his fury and fire… it was all to begin again. He had felt the surge of energy earlier, an echo of of the past struggling to be heard. A cruel smile flashed in the darkness as the figure turned away, leaving a trail of pure shadow in his wake.