The rain finally stopped.
Clouds slowly drifted apart, revealing a dark sky scattered with faint stars.
The park was quiet now.
Most people had already gone home.
Only the distant hum of the city remained.
Liya and Ethan left the gazebo and walked along the park path.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Both were thinking about the same thing.
Time.
Ethan checked his phone again.
9:02 PM.
"Still alive," he muttered.
Liya glanced at him.
"You keep saying that."
"Well… it keeps being true."
She shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
He smiled.
"I prefer optimistic."
They exited the park and stepped back onto the street.
The city felt different now.
Night had fully settled in.
Neon signs glowed brighter.
Restaurants buzzed with evening crowds.
Cars passed more frequently.
Liya felt uneasy.
More people meant more unpredictable accidents.
More variables.
More opportunities for fate.
"Where to next?" Ethan asked.
"Somewhere quiet."
"You're really committed to keeping me away from danger."
"Yes."
"Unfortunately danger seems committed to finding me."
They walked down a side street lined with small shops.
Many were already closed.
Only a few convenience stores and cafés remained open.
Ethan suddenly slowed down.
"What?" Liya asked.
He pointed upward.
A digital billboard glowed above a nearby building.
Advertisements flashed across the screen.
Then suddenly—
The screen flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then the lights went out completely.
Liya felt that familiar chill again.
"Another failure," she whispered.
Ethan nodded.
"The universe setting the stage again."
"Probably."
They continued walking.
Then Ethan asked something unexpected.
"Do you believe in soulmates?"
Liya blinked.
"That's random."
"Not really."
He gestured toward her.
"Apparently we meet on the same day in every timeline."
"That doesn't mean we're soulmates."
"Maybe not."
He shrugged.
"But it's an interesting coincidence."
She didn't answer.
Because deep down…
She had wondered the same thing.
Why this day?
Why this meeting?
Why him?
The thought lingered quietly between them.
Then suddenly—
A loud siren wailed in the distance.
An ambulance sped past the street ahead of them.
Its flashing lights painted the buildings red and blue.
Ethan watched it disappear.
"Hopefully not related to me."
"Don't say that."
He sighed.
"Fine."
They reached another quiet corner.
A small clock tower stood nearby.
Its glowing face showed the time clearly.
10:17 PM.
Less than two hours left.
Ethan leaned against a lamppost.
"So far we've survived traffic, falling branches, and random chaos."
"Yes."
"But the real danger window is still ahead."
Liya nodded slowly.
"In every loop… the accident happens close to midnight."
"Which means fate is patient."
He crossed his arms.
"Waiting for the perfect moment."
Liya looked at the glowing clock tower again.
Something about it made her uneasy.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Each second sounded louder in her mind.
"Ethan…"
"What?"
"Maybe we should leave the city."
"Leave?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"If fate keeps creating accidents here…"
"…maybe distance will break the pattern."
Ethan considered the idea.
"Interesting theory."
He checked his phone again.
10:21 PM.
"Alright."
"Really?"
"Sure."
He pushed himself away from the lamppost.
"Let's escape the city."
Liya felt a small spark of hope.
Maybe that was the solution.
Maybe fate only controlled this place.
They started walking toward the train station at the edge of town.
But neither of them noticed something important.
Behind them…
The clock tower continued ticking.
And on the street they had just left—
A construction crane above a nearby building began to sway slightly in the wind.
Loose metal bolts trembled quietly.
Waiting.
Counting down. ⏳