Chapter 27: Sudden Meeting
Lucen pulled on his coat and slung his bag over one shoulder.
He didn't grab anything else. No scrolls. No coins. Not even the snack bar on the counter.
He figured if this turned into a disaster, he'd rather die slightly hungry than full of regrets and protein powder.
The hallway outside his door was quiet.
Lights buzzed faintly overhead, and Mrs. Higa's cat was stretched out on its back by the stairwell like it paid rent and didn't care about fire codes.
Lucen stepped past it.
Down the stairs. Slow.
The banister wobbled under his hand on the second floor. The smell of burnt coffee and old tile cleaner drifted up from the lobby.
By the time he reached the bottom step, someone was already waiting.
Lucen stopped mid-step.
Gen stood by the door like he'd always been there.