The streetlights threw long orange streaks across the flooded asphalt as the storm grew stronger.

Headlights swung out of the hotel driveway, slicing through the heavy rain as a black luxury sedan came toward the corner.

The car slowed as it passed the bus stop, its deep engine humming under the sound of falling water.

Patrick sat behind the wheel, his face pale in the green glow of the dashboard, staring straight ahead at the wet road.

Chloe sat beside him in the passenger seat, leaning over to check her lipstick in the lighted visor mirror.