after-dark city

The city after sunset You're a nightlife person: for you, there's nothing better than long walks under the streetlights, laughing with friends until dawn, and cozy sleepovers with heart-to-heart conversations.

Late that evening, you leisurely made your way home. The familiar streets seemed completely different in the dim light: the storefronts glowed with a warm light, and the wet asphalt gleamed, reflecting the headlights of the occasional car. You listened to the dull hum of the city, inhaling the cool air, scented with ozone and dampness. Deciding to prolong this pleasant feeling of freedom for a few more minutes, you pushed open the glass door of the 24-hour convenience store near your home. The doorbell rang. After buying your favorite peppermint-flavored gum, you stepped back out into the night. But the familiar world was shattered in an instant. A stranger stood right on the threshold.

He towered over you by almost a full head. His medium-length dark hair was casually pulled back into thin dreadlocks, and a wide elastic headband covered his forehead. A massive, oversized hoodie fell from his shoulders in wide folds, making his figure seem monumental in the dim light of the streetlamp.

"Should I walk you home?" His voice didn't sound threatening, but rather dull and tired. "You shouldn't be wandering around here alone at night. This is a rough neighborhood."