It was january 13 10:00 p.m.
The whole of Andie City, located on the western side of America, lay under an eerie silence. The amusement park lights had already dimmed, and most of the streets were empty. Only the distant hum of traffic echoed through the wet night air.
Suzie walked alone.
Her house was far from the amusement park where she had stayed late. She had taken a private bus halfway and now had to walk the remaining distance home.
She was a high school student—quiet, reserved, with only a small circle of acquaintances and no boyfriend. Her beauty was natural and soft: pale skin, wide crystal-like eyes that shimmered under the streetlights, and a slender figure that carried both innocence and quiet strength.
She adjusted her skirt as the cold wind brushed past her.
Then—
Rain began to fall.
At first, it was gentle. Within seconds, it poured heavily, soaking the empty streets. Suzie hurried under the metal shed of a closed shop, hugging herself to stay warm.
That was when a car sped past.
Splash!
Dirty rainwater drenched her from head to toe.
"Can't you see?!" she shouted angrily into the night.
The car—a black Mercedes—slowed.
Then it reversed.
It stopped directly in front of her.
Suzie's heart skipped.
Five men were inside.
The driver's door opened first. A tall man with dark skin and tightly curled hair stepped out, smiling in a way that made her stomach twist. One by one, the other doors opened too.
From somewhere nearby, a police siren echoed faintly from another street.
The men glanced around nervously.
Suzie's instincts screamed at her.
Run.
She didn't wait another second.
She dashed into the rain-soaked streets of Andie City, her shoes slipping against the pavement. Her breathing became uneven, panic flooding her veins.
Behind her, footsteps.
They were chasing her.
She turned into a narrow alley—only to realize too late that it was a dead end. Two tall brick walls boxed her in. And then—
The men blocked the exit.
She was trapped.
The first man stepped forward and slapped her hard across the cheek. The impact sent her crashing to the ground.
Pain exploded across her face.
She tried to get up—but someone grabbed her arm.
"Help! Please!" she screamed, her voice breaking.
"No one will come to save you," one of them said coldly.
Rain poured harder, masking her cries.
One of the men lifted her onto his shoulder and began walking back toward the car.
Suzie fought weakly, her strength fading from fear and shock.
And then—
A deep, earth-shaking growl tore through the night.
Everything froze.
Out of the rain and darkness, a massive tiger emerged—its orange fur streaked with rain, its golden eyes glowing like fire.
Before anyone could react—
It leapt.
The man carrying Suzie screamed, but the sound was cut short. The tiger dragged him down violently. Suzie fell from his shoulder onto the soaked ground.
She couldn't move.
The tiger's claws tore through the attacker in seconds. The rain washed away the red spreading across the pavement, but not fast enough.
Suzie's dress became stained with blood.
The other four men stood frozen in horror.
Then survival instinct kicked in.
They scrambled back into the black Mercedes and sped away, tires screeching against the wet road.
The alley returned to silence.
Only rain.
Only breath.
Only the massive tiger standing over what remained of the man.
It lowered its head.
And began licking the blood from its claws.
Suzie lay on the ground, trembling, unable to stand.
The beast slowly lifted its gaze.
Golden eyes met hers.
And in that moment—
She knew this night was not over.