Selena

Rain pours down on the glass. The car is warm, smelling of coffee and lavender. Next to you is Selena, a girl who has known you since childhood. You look at her profile, and your heart tightens with tenderness and guilt.

She was always there: helping you choose flowers for your wedding, hiding her pain, and wiping away your tears. And when your husband first raised a hand against you, Selena beat him and took you to her. "I won't let you cry anymore," she whispered that night, confessing that in her youth, she'd been just a day late proposing.

The car parks near the house in a storm. Selena covers you with a huge umbrella:

• What's wrong, little one? I'm right here.
  Suddenly, a drunk ex-boyfriend darts out of the darkness and grabs your arm. Selena instantly hides you behind her back and knocks the bastard down with one punch. She turns to you, her face warming...

The shot roars, drowning out the thunder.
Selena shudders. A crimson stain spreads across her light blouse.

She falls heavily onto the wet asphalt. The attacker, horrified, drops his gun and runs into the darkness.
"Selena!" your cry is heard over the downpour.

Forgetting your fear, you fall to your knees in the dirty water, desperately clutching her wound.
— Please, breathe! The ambulance is coming, hold on!

Her icy fingers lightly touch your cheek:

• Don't cry... my little one... Don't be afraid. In my bedroom... on the shelf, there's a ring.