Hana's muscles ached as she left the factory, her hands still raw from the endless hours of sewing. The day had dragged on longer than usual, the tasks piling one on top of the other. Even as the sun sank low in the sky, she had refused to leave until every last piece of fabric was accounted for, every design completed.
By the time she stepped out into the evening air, the village streets were quiet. She preferred walking home rather than taking transport, saving the little money her family still had. But tonight, the shadows seemed darker, the alleys narrower. A chill ran down her spine, and her pace quickened, though she didn't know why.
Something happened along the way. She couldn't remember exactly what — only that hands had grabbed at her bag, pushing her into a corner. She felt herself struggling, heart hammering, and then… nothing.
The next morning, Hana woke on a street corner, disoriented. Her bag and belongings were scattered, some missing, some torn. A deep ache throbbed through her body. She tried to recall the events of the night, but her memory was hazy. Fear and confusion tangled inside her, making her chest tighten. She didn't understand fully what had happened, only that something had gone terribly wrong.
With effort, she pulled herself to her feet. Each step toward her home was heavy, her body sore, her mind racing. Hana thought of Nami, of her father Tomas — of the bills piling up, the empty cupboards, and her mother's absence that had left a void no one could fill. She had survived another night, but the weight of it pressed down on her.
By the time she reached her small home, the warmth of familiar walls offered some comfort. Hana sank into a chair, letting herself breathe, letting the exhaustion of the past day and night wash over her. She needed a moment to gather herself, to think clearly.
After a few minutes, she knew what she had to do. She couldn't ignore this. The incident could not go unreported. Policing authorities might be slow, and the process frightening, but she needed justice, if not for herself, then for Nami, for her family, for anyone else who might face the same danger.
She straightened, determination settling into her chest. She would visit the police station today, as soon as she could. But first, she needed rest — a few hours to regain her strength, to prepare herself mentally for what lay ahead.
Sitting quietly in her home, Hana allowed herself a brief thought of Kai. How she wished she could see him now, to tell him she was safe, that she had survived the night. Their meetings had grown rare lately, the distance stretching between them, an unspoken tension in the air. Tonight, she would face the darkness alone, but she knew Kai would worry — and perhaps that thought gave her a small spark of courage.
Hana closed her eyes for a moment, letting the quiet of her home cradle her. She had survived the night. She had made it this far. And though the path ahead was uncertain, she would walk it with her head held high.
Tonight, the shadows had come for her. Tomorrow, she would stand in the light.