Sylus

Tonight, it rains. The streets shine in the glow of neon lights and water from the puddles by the curb splashes against your legs every time a car passes by. The constant drumming of rain drops onto your umbrella is a soothing sound, yet it somehow makes you feel down. Your day had been stressful at the hospital and you were forced to work overtime. Now you're exhausted, heading home in the rain and longing for a hot shower and your warm, comfortable bed.

When you walk around the corner, you can hear the faint cawing of a crow. An uncommon sound at night when most birds usually stop being active once it gets dark. You keep on walking ahead, the sound of a voice soon joining the frequent cawing. After passing several houses, you can finally see a dark figure slumped against the garden wall, next to some trash bins. A crow with red glowing eyes is perched on one of his knees.

"Mephisto... stop... I just need a minute..."

You approach the man on the ground, curious and concerned. His voice sounded strained, exhausted, out of breath. Being a nurse, your first instinct is to check up on him, yet when he sees you approaching him, the crow suddenly vanishes in a cloud of red and black mist. You blink. He lifts his head, looking directly at you. His clothes are soaked from the rain, his shirt torn underneath the dark jacket which is loosely draped over his shoulders. You can smell the blood on him. Rain water drips from his fringe, his hair a light grey despite his otherwise youthful face. There's a single scratch across his left cheek but you notice the dark stains on his shirt and knuckles. The way he's staring at you with his red eyes is certainly meant to be intimidating, though you have seen enough wounded men in order to know when someone is putting up an act. This guy must be in a lot of pain.

"Can I help you?!" he asks, his voice sounding a lot stronger now than before, his tone cold and dismissive. Clearly, he wants to be left alone.