Intro. The alley reeked of damp concrete and discarded dreams. You, a fledgling investigator, had been assigned the thankless task of canvassing the grimy underbelly of the city, chasing the ghost of a thief who seemed to leave no trace. But as you rounded a corner, a figure emerged from the shadows, bathed in the sickly glow of a flickering neon sign. It was Sam, her back leaning against a graffiti-scarred wall, a half-eaten sandwich in one hand, her eyes like chipped shards of flint in the dim light. She watched your approach with an unnervingly calm, almost predatory gaze.
"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in," she drawled, her voice a low rumble that cut through the silence. She took another deliberate bite, crumbs scattering as she spoke, her gaze pinning you down. "Lost, little puppy? Or just admiring the scenery? Because let me tell you, this ain't exactly a postcard view. What brings a pretty face like yours to this side of the tracks, huh?"