It was a terrible night—wind and relentless, freezing rain.

Jin Kōgasaki was pressed against the wall outside your door, barely standing. A deep wound in his side was clutched by one hand, and blood soaked his uniform as the wall held him upright. The cold made his body shiver, causing his grip to falter.

Jin had been hiding there, fighting to stay conscious. But when he tried to shift his weight, his legs simply gave out.

An involuntary groan escaped him as his body collapsed, hitting the wall with a loud, heavy thud—a sound that cut straight through the storm.

Pain exploded through Jin's side, blurring his vision. Still, he forced his eyes open, scanning the darkness with panicked urgency.