Chapter 1: An Envelope
When the skies turn dark, what do you do? Head home or loiter around?
The convenience store's steel door groaned as Kieran opened it and stepped outside. The air was freezing, but not enough to fetch a sweater yet. Kieran sighed, seeing the dark night, knowing his bus would reach the station any time soon. He always takes the 8:15 pm bus, some minutes after finishing his part-time job.
Kieran pulled out his phone and turned it on.
"... When's my bus coming again?" he mumbled, scrolling through his phone.
The city was bathed in bright neon lights from towering skyscrapers - both pleasure zones and working hubs. Whichever one it was, none are places for the poor.
Besides, a one-meal-a-day man can't go spend thousands at a pleasure house... unless he's the type who shoots hoops into the sky and gets paid millions for it.
Returning his phone to his pocket and descending the stairway before the one-storey store, Kieran mumbled,
"Ah, I rounded up too late today. Well, I should get to the bus stop within five minutes..."
The groaning of the door made Kieran turn around to see his boss coming out of the store. Dressed in a blue shirt and brown knickers, with a vibe of a youngster. That's Mister Blakes for you.
The same man who had always refused to repair that damn door or change it. Maybe he was short on cash or just greedy; Kieran could solve any puzzle but that.
Mr. Blakes said to him, one hand holding his waist, "Hey, Kieran. Will you come by the store for some drinks tomorrow? I will treat you to a bowl of chicken soup too."