WINGS OF DESIRE
The Stranger in the Rain
The city streets glistened under the dim glow of streetlights, the scent of rain lingering in the air. Lila Hart adjusted her sketchbook under her arm as she walked home from the café, her mind still lost in the half-finished drawings she had spent hours working on.
It was one of those nights where everything felt… different. A strange pull in her chest, an inexplicable sensation that made her glance over her shoulder more than once.
A man stood beneath the flickering streetlamp, his posture unnaturally still, almost like he wasn’t used to standing there. His long, dark coat swayed slightly in the evening breeze, and his eyes—so pale they seemed almost luminescent—watched her with quiet intensity
Lila
frowned
*Has he been following me?*
Lila
*Mutter*
No that wasn't it
There was something… off about him. Not in a threatening way. More like he didn’t quite belong here.
She hesitated for a moment before making a snap decision.
Lila
“Are you lost?” she called out.
The man blinked, as if startled that she had spoken to him.
Then, after a long pause, he answered.
His voice was deep, but there was something strangely careful about the way he spoke, like he wasn’t used to forming words.
Lila
“Okay… so, you’re just standing here. In the middle of the street. Watching people.”
His brows furrowed slightly
Zeke
“I wasn’t watching people "
He hesitated, then admitted,
A chill ran down her spine, but not from fear. It was more like a strange, electric curiosity.
Lila
“Well, that’s not creepy at all,”
She muttered under her breath.
He tilted his head, as if genuinely confused.
Zeke
“I didn’t mean to be… unsettling.”
Lila studied him more closely. His face was beautiful—too beautiful, really, like he had stepped out of some Renaissance painting. But there was something else. Something unnatural in the way he held himself, like he wasn’t entirely sure how to exist in this space.
Lila
“You’re not from around here, are you?
Zeke
*hesitated again*
No.”
There was something about the way he said it that made her chest tighten. A quiet honesty, like he wasn’t just talking about the city.
Lila
Well… do you need help? Directions?
His lips parted slightly, as if the idea hadn’t even occurred to him.
Then, after a beat, he added,
Zeke
“But… I would like to walk with you.”
Lila
*Blinked*
“You—what?”
He looked almost unsure of himself now
Zeke
“I think… I should walk with you.”
Her first instinct was to say no. But something about him—something beyond reason—made her hesitate.
Lila
* sighed*
“Alright, mystery man. You can walk with me, but only if you tell me your name.”
Lila
*Nodded*
“Okay, Zeke. I’m Lila.”
His lips twitched slightly, as if testing the shape of her name in his mind.
She started walking again, and he fell into step beside her. It was strange. His presence should have made her nervous, but it didn’t. Instead, it felt… oddly natural.
Lila
“are you always this intense, or is tonight a special occasion?”
He turned his head toward her, his expression unreadable.
Lila
*Raised an eyebrow*
“You don’t know if you’re intense?”
A crease formed between his brows, as if he was genuinely trying to figure it out.
Zeke
“I haven’t been asked that before.”
Lila
*Bit her lip, stifling a laugh*
“You’re kind of weird, you know that?”
Zeke
“Yes. I’ve been told that before.”
Something about the way he said it made her pause. There was a quiet sincerity in his voice, an innocence that didn’t quite fit his imposing appearance.
And for reasons she couldn’t explain, she liked it.
See you guys in the next chapter
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A Walk Between Worlds
The city hummed softly around them—car engines purring, distant laughter from a nearby bar, the occasional patter of rain dripping from rooftops. Lila walked with Zeke at her side, her steps slow, measured. He, however, walked with an unnatural stillness, as if he were too careful with every movement.
She said, glancing at him.
Lila
“Where exactly are you from?”
Zeke hesitated before answering
Lila
*smirked. *
“Vague. Mysterious. Very on brand.”
Zeke
I wasn’t trying to be mysterious (his voice calm but uncertain)
She studied him out of the corner of her eye. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his expression unreadable.
Lila
You’re not good at small talk, are you?
Zeke
(As if considering the question seriously. )
“I… don’t think so.”
Lila
(Chuckled)
“Well, I guess I’ll just have to do the talking. Lucky you.”
He nodded, almost as if he was relieved.
Lila
“Alright, let’s start easy. Favorite food?”
Zeke
(Blinked)
“I don’t have one.”
Lila
(Frowned)
“What, like you don’t eat?”
Zeke
“I can eat I just… never thought about having a favorite.”
Lila
“Okay, that’s kind of weird. Everybody has a favorite food. Pizza? Burgers? Something sweet?”
Zeke
Tilted his head slightly. “Sweet?”
Lila
(Raised an eyebrow)
“You don’t know what sweet things taste like?”
Zeke
“I just haven’t experienced it.”
Lila
“Hold on. You’ve never had, like… chocolate?”
Zeke stopped too, facing her with that same unreadable expression.
Lila
“Okay. We’re fixing that. Right now.”
Before he could protest, she pulled a half-melted chocolate bar from her bag and unwrapped it. Breaking off a small piece, she held it out to him.
Zeke stared at it, then at her.
Zeke
“What am I supposed to do?”
Lila
“Seriously? You eat it.”
He hesitated, then took the piece carefully from her hand. With an almost comical amount of caution, he placed it in his mouth.
Lila watched his face closely. At first, he showed no reaction. Then, his brows furrowed slightly. He pressed his lips together, his jaw moving slowly as he chewed.
Then—something shifted. His eyes widened just a fraction, as if he had just uncovered some great cosmic truth.
Zeke swallowed and nodded once.
Lila
“Pleasant? That’s the best you can do?”
Zeke
“It’s… warm. Even though it’s not.”
Lila shook her head in amusement.
Lila
“You are the weirdest person I’ve ever met.”
Zeke didn’t seem offended. In fact, he almost looked… thoughtful.
They started walking again, the silence between them less heavy now.
Lila
“So, do you just wander around the city all night, or do you have somewhere to go?”
Zeke
(hesitated)
“I go where I’m needed.”
Lila
(frowned)
“That’s not an answer.”
Zeke
(exhaled softly)
“I… don’t have a place to stay. Not in the way you mean.”
Lila slowed her steps. Something about the way he said that made her chest tighten.
He looked at her, something unreadable passing behind his gaze.
Zeke
“No. But I don’t belong anywhere, either.”
Lila swallowed. There was something deeply sad about that.
After a moment, she sighed.
Lila
“You’re lucky I’m not a serial killer.”
Zeke
(tilted his head)
“Are you?”
Lila
(snorted)
“No, dumbass. I’m saying you’re way too trusting. You don’t know me, and you’re just out here walking with me like we’re old friends.”
Zeke
“I don’t think you would hurt me.”
Lila
“Yeah, well. You don’t seem like the type to hurt anyone either.”
Zeke
“You’d be surprised.”
Lila glanced at him, but his expression gave nothing away.
Before she could ask more, they reached the entrance of her apartment building.
Lila
“Well, this is me,” (nodding to the door)
Zeke looked at the building, then back at her.
Lila
“Yep,”And you’re… still a mystery.”
For a moment, neither of them moved. The night air was thick with something unspoken.
Lila
“Alright, Zeke. Since you apparently have nowhere to be, try not to get kidnapped or, I don’t know, recruited into a cult or something.”
Zeke
( blinked)
“Is that a common problem?”
Lila
(smirked)
“Depends on the city.”
He gave a small nod, almost as if he was taking her joke seriously.
Lila hesitated, then reached into her bag and pulled out another chocolate bar. She handed it to him
Lila
In case you want to experience sweetness again
Zeke took it, turning it over in his hands. His fingers brushed against hers—just barely, but enough to send a small jolt through her skin.
Something about the way he said her name made her stomach do something weird.
Lila
“Yeah, yeah. Goodnight, mystery man.”
Zeke inclined his head slightly, then stepped back into the shadows. Within seconds, he had disappeared into the night.
Lila lingered a moment longer, staring at the empty street where he had just been.
Who was he?
And why did she already feel like meeting him had changed something in her life—something she couldn’t quite name yet?
She sighed and turned toward the door.
This wasn’t over.
She knew that much
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