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The Neon Glow.
The flickering neon sign of 'Joe's Diner' cast a sickly green glow on the rain-slicked street. Inside, Sarah clutched her steaming mug, the ceramic warmth a small comfort against the chill seeping in from outside. Her eyes, red-rimmed and tired, darted nervously to the clock. Ten past midnight. He was late, again.
A bus rumbled past, its headlights briefly illuminating a figure huddled under the diner's awning. Sarah's heart lurched. She saw him then, a shadow against the dim light, wiping something from his coat sleeve. A splash of crimson, quickly obscured by the rain.
ROUGH NIGHT
He entered, shaking off droplets. "Rough night," he mumbled, sliding into the booth opposite her. His usually immaculate tie was askew, and a faint, metallic scent clung to his clothes, even over the smell of damp wool. He avoided her gaze, focusing instead on the condensation forming on his water glass.
"What happened?" Sarah's voice was barely a whisper. She noticed a faint abrasion on his knuckles, a thin, almost invisible line.
He sighed, a heavy sound. "Just a misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about. I handled it."
He finally met her eyes, a strange mix of weariness and something else she couldn't quite place – grim satisfaction?
"It's done. No more threats. No more waiting."
He reached across the table, his hand covering hers. His skin felt cool, almost clammy.
Sarah looked at her hand, then back at his face. The tension slowly eased from her shoulders. A weak smile touched her lips.
"Thank you."
She said, her voice a little stronger. "The garden needed protecting. Those darn rabbits won't bother my prize-winning carrots again."