First Encounter (1) : A Freewrite

Footsteps echoed from the shadows, and Monica's hand tightened around her weapon. From the darkness emerged a figure—a man of imposing stature, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and caution. It was Darkie himself, a living embodiment of the shadows that had gripped the city.

Monica and Darkie regarded each other, a tense silence hanging in the air. They were two opposing forces, each a reflection of the other's determination. Darkie's gaze held a calculated assessment, as if he were weighing the threat Monica posed. But Monica's stare was unwavering, her eyes a window to her unwavering commitment to justice.

"You're Monica, aren't you?" Darkie's voice was a low rumble, tinged with a hint of amusement.

Monica nodded, her voice steady. "I am."