Tim relaxed on the soft grass of the pond bank, the cool summer breeze tousling his shaggy brown hair. The bark of his dog, Sandy, drew his attention. She looked up at him, tongue lolling out of her mouth. He took her head in both his hands, scratching the sweet spot behind her ears and pulling her in and pressing his forehead to hers. Another loud bark echoed, and suddenly, Sandy’s entire weight was on him. She pinned him down, attacking him with enthusiastic licks.
Tim turned his head side to side, trying to escape the relentless assault. “Ok, Ok. I give!” He said, hands raised in surrender. The weight lifted from his chest, and he opened his eyes to see a giant crocodilian eye staring back at him. The single slit pupil removed any trace of his joy in an instant.
Shoving whatever wasn’t Sandy off of him. He looked down to find a round reptilian head looking up at him with its tongue lolling out. Razor teeth lining its mouth, it had a body similar to a gecko but longer legs rising its belly off the ground.
“The hell is this?” Tim muttered, noticing his right arm now matched the green tone of the large reptilian. He tried whipping it off with his left hand only to see it too had taken on the same color. His heart raced, as he tried to think of what to do.
The reptile rushed over in front of him, causing Tim to flinch, the reptile’s eyes crossed and its mouth opened wide releasing a familiar blaring alarm. Tim slowly reached out hesitantly.
The noise getting louder and more frequent with the reptile's mouth opening and closing in sync. As he laid his hand on its head, He felt the familiar shape of his phone beneath it. He visibly relaxed as he clicked the silence button.
With a groan Tim rolled over onto his back, his eyes looking up at his ceiling as it occurred to him today is another work day.
“Fuuuuck” Tim protested as he tossed over on his side, clinging to his pillow. “Why must time pass so fast when I sleep?” He quietly asked his comfy bed.
Reluctantly pushing himself to sit up he looked around his sanctuary– bed shoved against the wall, a fan rattling from its perch on the dresser. His computer silently calling to him across from him, the empty soda cans and paper plates scattered around it.
He reached into the laundry basket that held his unfolded laundry pausing briefly, taking in his regular pale skin, happy the green skin didn’t transfer over from the dream before he slipped into his khakis, he sighed as the waistline dug into his own.
“The things I put up with for such a small paycheck.” he said then realizing he has to work with Tracie as the floor manager today.
Several excuses flooded his mind. He could call in sick, or maybe he had car troubles. He sighed knowing that one would require Simon to play along, with a defeated slump he put on his polo shirt.
Tim made his way into the kitchen using the remote to the living room turning on the rock channel as he cracked open the fridge removing the regular eggs, bacon, and sausages.
Spraying the pan he began cooking the sweet sizzling sound graced his ears, and the smell filled the air.
He smirked hearing the heavy shuffle of his roommate's feet. Tim turned setting two plates filled with the earlier mentioned food with added toast on the table. “Morning Simon.” Tim said as he sat down.
Simon adjusted his glasses before picking up his fork. “Morning.” he mumbled as he tried to wake up. His clothes are not any more flattering than Tim’s own.
“I didn’t get to ask what you and the others decide to do with the Volcanic sword?” Tim asked before scooping up some eggs.
“We sold it and added the gold to the guild bank.” Simon replied
“Max finally gave in?” Tim asked, surprised.
“Not about what Max wants. The sword is nice, but no one in our raid group needs it. Our gear is better, or the ones who could use it, it would just be a spare.” Simon said, his voice raising a bit.
“Well every guild has at least one loot goblin or hoarder.” Tim started before putting on a mocking voice. “But what if we need it? something could come up and we will wish we had it.” he finished chuckling a bit.
“And those are the players that have to spend extra gold just to open up more slots in their personal banks cause they never use anything. It is a waste.” Simon said quickly composing himself. setting his fork down. “Doesn’t matter, it was voted, we sold it. Tonight we can do the dungeon again and hopefully we will get the wind glaive for Adam, and we can start looking at who else needs gear.”
Tim got up and went to the sink, he turned back after putting his dishes in the dishwasher. “Yeah, four percent drop rate is a pain, but we are due for a win, RNG gods will need to smile on us eventually.” He said as Simon handed him his plate and fork.
“I'll finish getting ready and we can head out.” Simon said.
“I'll be outside.” Tim said after the dishwasher started. Simon was already halfway down the hall of his side of the trailer.
Walking outside, the breeze carried the promise of a warm day ahead as the bright sun was rising over the trees to the east. The porch groaned beneath his feet, and in the distance, dogs barked. Dust swirled up from the dirt road as people began their day, heading to work. Roosters crowed from all directions, greeting the morning with their loud calls.
Tim had walked over to the railing of the porch, closing his eyes, taking in a deep breath and listening to the natural symphony around him. Tim liked the area–it was remote, with no rude neighbors nearby, or atleast, the ones that were far enough away not to bother him. The downside? No real work nearby.
The porch groaned again as Simon stepped out, shutting the door behind him. “Come on, you can day dream on the way.” Simon said as he started down the stairs.
Tim slowly stood making his way toward the old buck century. He crawled into the passenger seat, and with a click, buckled in, Simon started fiddling with the radio, searching for something to listen to as they started their drive to work.
Tim looked out the window watching houses past by before they were on the turnpike. Nothing to see here but green grass and trees hiding houses, old roads that go to rivers, or pastures full of cows.
His eyes lost focus, as a human shaped figure appeared, running just as fast as the car, jumping any obstacles that appeared in his path.
Thirty minutes later the person was jumping lamp posts and roof to roof as they pulled into the large parking lot of the strip mall.
As they neared the regular parking spot a giant sword appeared in the humans hands, and a large reptile resembling the one from his dream this morning appeared into view minus the lolling tongue.
They came to a stop and the figure jumped at the large beast. When Simon put a hand on his shoulder before shaking him.
“Come on, stop daydreaming. Gotta get back to reality.” Simon said.
Tim shook his head, “Sorry, I was thinking of a creature from my dream. Just plain weird.” He said, getting out of the car and starting to walk beside Simon.
“Not another goblin dream, I hope.” Simon said as the automatic doors slid open.
“No. Though my skin did change to a shade of green in it.” Tim replied with an awkward smile.
“I swear dude, you have way too much sympathy for the green skins.” Simon said a bit judgingly.
“What? They are outcasts, misunderstood, it's relatable to me.” Tim argued.
Simon laughed. “For good reason, in most fantasies they are known for rapping, pillaging, and taking what they want from weak villages.” Simon retorted.
“That is just some depictions. They don’t always have to be bad, it is just easy to write them as evil cannon fodder. If I ever run a game, I will show you how easy it would be to make them redeemable or at least a far bigger threat for you and a party.” Tim said confidently as they both checked the batteries for their walkie talkies before putting them on.
“Well, any race can be a threat if it somehow gets a class and levels. I am not doubting you, I just think somehow you twisted your own idea of goblins from monsters into misunderstood creatures.” He said as they walked into the break room.
The break room was clearly well-used, its worn tiles bearing the marks of countless past spills and mishaps. The leather couch, pushed against the far wall, was cracked and faded, its surface bearing the scars of time. The kitchen area had a few cabinets and a single sink with a dish rack on one side and a coffee maker on the other, the smell of freshly brewed hot coffee filled the air. In the center of the room is an old round table with cardboard under one of the legs, and four worn down plastic chairs circling it. Two of which were filled.
“Maybe, I just like a good underdog story.” Tim replied as he started towards the coffee.
Two young women sat with math books open as one let out a growl of frustration. “Why can’t I get the answer? How am I supposed to make it in college if I can’t pass simple algebra II?” she asked the universe.
“It will be fine, look we can ask Simon he knows this stuff. Hey Simon, could you take a look?” She asked with puppy dog eyes. Without looking Tim just shook his head. Amy always tried to act sweet, but Tim knew better.
Simon walked over quietly, looked at the problem and instantly replied. “The answer is forty two.”
Debbie got even more frustrated. “How do you get this so easily? it is too hard.”
Simon chuckled. “I just had a bit more math classes when I was in college.”
“If you were in college, why are you working at this trash job?” Debbie asked.
Simon frowned a little bit. “Things just don’t always work out the way you want them too.”
Amy started to whisper. “Well at least you tried, unlike your lazy friend over there. He is always getting in trouble not doing all of his work and tracie having to get on to him about doing a better job.”
Tim could not help but visibly tense at hearing it. ‘It never fails, one person doesn’t like me and just because they are more sociable than me everyone thinks they know the entire picture.’ Tim thought to himself when images of similar past experiences had happened.
Simon caught the sight of Tims shoulders tensing before looking back down at Amy. “You all just know what you hear from Tracie or the grapevine. It’s all fun and games till you become the topic of those things, never good. take everything with a grain of salt and make your own decisions.” Simon said, trying to be polite to the younger coworkers.
The room went quiet, Tim seemed to relax a little bit as he took a whiff of the magic liquid that could breathe life into the darkest of souls. With his coffee in hand he turned towards the table. “I am going to get out on the floor, see if Eric missed anything last night.” Tim said with a forced smile before walking out the door.
He took a drink from his coffee, the life warming liquid running down his throat, that small simple pleasure helping him relax just a bit more. Closing his eyes he just focused on that warmth as he drank some more, his eyes closed as he felt it fill his stomach.
Standing there, his shoulders relaxing more and more, when a far too familiar annoying voice violated that peace and made him snap open his eyes and the tension he was just letting go violently returned.
“What do you think you are doing?” Standing a couple feet ahead of him stood a five foot nothing blond hair woman, her bright blue eye sending daggers at him. “You know you are not supposed to bring drinks out onto the floor.” She stated before Tim could respond.
‘Of course, I must have pissed off a witch in my past life or something, family bloodline cursed?’ Tim thought to himself before saying. “I was just finishing it before heading to my area.”
“You should have finished it in the break room.” Tracie said not giving him an inch.
‘Honestly wish I would have. I thought I was leaving a bad situation, but all I did was jump from the frying pan into the fire. It will be ok Tim just stay calm and limit the interaction.’ He finished his pep talk to himself before a smile that could not reach his eyes came onto his face. “You are right. My apologies Tracie.” His tone said more than he wanted, that he is tired, tired of her shit, tired of rumors, tired of being targeted just because he doesn’t bend to the idea of human hierarchy.
Tracie narrowed her eyes. “If I am right, what are you going to do about that cup?” she asked.
Tim looked at her, then his cup, lifting the rim met his lips and he began to drink, his head tilting back as the hot liquid ran out of the cup. ‘This is stupid, your entire power trip is stupid, your mind set is stupid, this is not highschool anymore, giving me a hard time for no other reason than because you can.’ every thought that ran through his head, he wanted to tell her to bring her back down to earth.
The last drop left the cup and Tim lowered his head. His not smile came back to his face as their eyes met his grip crushing the cup. He turned back and opened the door behind him just enough to slip his hand in and drop the cup into the small trash can, turning back to Tracie “problem solved.” he said and began to walk to his department but she stepped right in front of him.
“You need to lose the attitude, be more friendly with customers, give an actual smile not whatever.” She gestured to his face, “That is.” Her eyes filled with disgust as she looked him up and down. Her hands went to her hips as she turned her head as if she couldn’t bare to look at him anymore. “I am getting way too many complaints from customers that you are not friendly to them as you help them.” she used her finger for air quotes at the end.
Tim continued to smile without it reaching his eyes. “I will do better to not cause you anymore trouble Tracie.”
She turned her head back to him. “You better I will be keeping my eyes on you, and if you don’t shape up you might as well start looking for a new job.” She said with a tone as if she has been wanting to say this for a very long time.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Tim’s eyes flashed his first real emotion. Anger. Their radios buzzed to life. “Tracie I need you in my office please.” The store owner Mr. Moore called.
Quickly Tracie grabbed her radio with a perfect princess smile and customer service voice. “I’ll be right there.” She put the radio back on her hip and the smile left her face. “You are lucky Tim, I could continue giving you advice but I am needed elsewhere.”
The smile that could not reach his eyes came back. “Of course Tracie, I will be doing my utmost to represent you and the job I am so lucky to have.” He said in a tone that it was easy to hear the truth behind them.
She narrowed her eyes again before looking him up and down again. her lip rising on one side before tsking, “straighten that uniform before you go to your area.” she said before abruptly turning and leaving.
The anger reached Tim’s eyes again, his teeth and fists clenching. His mind played the scene that caused all this. A stupid comment, around people he shouldn’t have relaxed around and a mini Tracie running to her to tell her what he said. Tim’s thoughts were abruptly cut off as a wide hand landed on his right shoulder giving it a tight squeeze.
“Time to breathe, and unclench, your anger is going to cause you to have an aneurysm, man.” Simon said, trying to ease the tension in the air with some humor.
“How are you always right there after a shitty situation?” Tim asked not looking at him.
“Obviously because I am the valant best friend always there to save the unhinged friend who will make stupid choices without my guidance.” He said in a heroic voice before becoming serious again. “People suck we both know that, but you don’t hide your emotions very well. Everyone gets an idea of what you really want to say or do no matter how polite you try to hide it.” Simon replied.
Tim did not say anything, he knew he was right. Tim just wasn’t good with people unless they had similar interests and/or mindsets. His gut feelings if he would get along with people or not was always on point. Bad news: most people he didn’t get along with were always in a higher position than him.
“Come on let's get to our areas, once we get busy the day will go by faster.” Simon said, walking in front of Tim.
“Yeah, got to go to the bathroom first, splash some water on my face, and straighten up my uniform.” He said, before turning away and heading to the restroom without really looking at Simon.
Simon watched him go. ‘Damn brother, you can’t let these stupid people get to you like that. as long as you do you will always have someone under your skin.’ he thought to himself wanting to say it, but knowing Tim and his anger, the words just would not reach him right now.
Tim made his way into the restroom, a decently sized and clean one for a retail electronic store. He stopped at the middle sink, turning it on and cupping his hands to gather the water he splashed on his face, as he looked up a new face looked back at him, green skin, squared jaw with two tusks poking out over his top lip.
He quickly blinked his eyes and shook his head to see his regular old face in the mirror now. “The fuck?!” he asked himself, feeling his chin looking himself over taking in all his round face now. “Ok I need to stop staying up so late on work nights.”
Reaching out with his left hand he grabbed paper towels to dry his face, straightening up, he got a good look at himself in the mirror for the first time since he arrived at work. his hair was more disheveled then he thought, his shirt untucked on the right side, and spreading to the left.
Getting more water he started fixing his hair the best he could, then straightened his shirt retucking it. ‘It is just going to pull itself out once I get down to the lower rows on the isles for anything.’ he thought to himself but he knew why, rather he wanted to admit it to himself, he wanted to just have peace. This job isn’t bad at all. Some coworkers just suck.
Standing there feeling like he put himself back together a bit better, he headed out the door and onto the floor. Walking past the tech help area, he overheard two of the techs talking about one of their games. “Everyone died, it was me versus three others. I hid behind the box at C. when they showed themselves. BLAM Blam blam” Tim heard till he was out of ear shot.
Next, he approached the phone section, his pace picking up instinctively. Three young women huddled at the counter, giggling. As he came into view, their laughter faltered, replaced by whispered conversations.
“I heard, he already got told off by Tracie before the store even opened.”
“Yeah, Amy and I heard it through the break room door. I think it’s only a matter of time...” The voices faded as he walked where he couldn’t hear anymore.
Tim kept going, now at the appliances, where Tony sat typing away at his computer, doing his morning price changes. Tony paused, gave a small wave, and returned to his task. No words, no judgment–just Tony, counting down the days until retirement, escaping to a beach somewhere.
Finally Tim made it to his area, it wasn’t paradise, but it was nice. Video games, controllers, consoles, pre–built gaming PCs—everything he loved and rarely grew tired of being around. Sure, it was work, but at least it was a job where he got to talk about the things that brought him joy.
The store doors opened, and customers trickled in. By ten, the building was bustling, radios crackling with questions about prices and stock. It wasn’t long before the inevitable “Karen” or “Richard” showed up, demanding attention. Time seemed to fly during those hours.
Around noon things started to slow down. Customers shifted their focus from electronics to food.
“Thank you for shopping with us, and have a great day ma’am” Tim said smiling to a mother and her child as she just bought a game he recommended. She smiled and little boy waved bye as they left.
Tim moved to the accessory section, which was a mess. He dropped to one knee, pulling out items that had been hidden in the back.
“Why are you over here? There are still customers in your department,” came Tracie's voice from behind him.
Tim jerked his head up, smacking it against the shelf above him. “Ouch! You need a frickin bell on you.” He mumbled, rubbing his head as he stood up and faced her.
“What did you just say?” Tracie’s tone was sharp.
Tim took a deep breath, keeping his composure. “Those customers have been here since we opened. They said they don’t need help, so I thought it'd be a good time to tidy up the area so things are easier to find.” He explained himself.
Tracie bent her knee, propped her right hand on her hip and quirked an eyebrow. Her favorite stance. “You could be over there talking to them about what's the new best game, something, anything to get a sale.” Her eyes filled with disdain.
Tim sighed. “You got on to me just this morning saying I am getting complained about, I don’t want to seem like I am harassing them.”
The right side of her mouth curled up a bit. “You know I just got two more complaints about you not being very helpful.”
Tim’s confusion grew. “What? From who?” he stuttered.
“Doesn’t matter, it's the fact I seem to get complaints anytime you work. It doesn’t look good Tim, does not look good at all.” She seemed to enjoy telling Tim this.
Tim played out every interaction he had today in his head. Not a single person left not smiling in his mind. He actually had some really fun interactions today talking about some of his favorite games, and making more sales than he had in a while on a wednesday.
His eyes caught the smirk on Tracie’s face, and his temper flared again. His vision started to go red. He looked around trying to find any excuse to walk away.
“What are you looking for? You need to face it and accept you need to start being a better worker, by starting to own up on your shortcomings.” Tracie said her face just glowing.
Tim lost it. “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM WITH ME?!” Hands curled into claws, his height over shadowing Tracie as his words rang out through the store.
The blood rushed from her face and shock genuinely showed.
“SERIOUSLY ALL YOU DO EVERY DAY IS COME TO ME AND TRY TO FIND SOMETHING TO HARASS ME ABOUT! WHY DON’T YOU JUST GO OVER TO YOUR LITTLE GOSSIP GROUP AND PICK A NEW TARGET!?” He yelled, breathing heavily, all teeth showing like an animal ready to bite.
“Tim, Tracie! To my office. Now!” The store owner’s voice boomed over the radio.
Tracie lowered her head, Tim couldn’t see her face, but he knew he just went too far, and so did Tracie, she turned her eyes filled with tears and Tim’s stomach sank like a rock.
His mind raced as he walked to Mr. Moore’s office, sweat beginning to form on his brow. Each step felt like a countdown to some inevitable end.
As he passed the others, their gazes added to the crushing pressure. Tony frowned, looking away. The gossip corner, usually buzzing, fell silent. Two of the three girls smiled. Amy quickly muttered. Tim could not make out any of it as he reached the door to Mr. Moore’s office.
Tim’s hand Trembled as he reached for the doorknob, feeling the cold metal beneath his fingers. His heart thundered in his chest. The silence around him seemed to echo the chaos inside. Anger. Fear. Shame. He has not lost his temper like that since highschool, and he sure as hell never done it at a job.
He took a deep breath, failing to steady himself, and pushed the door open. Mr. Moore’s office was sterile, over-lit, and intimidating. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing him in. Mr. Moore sat behind his desk, looking far too composed for the chaos Tim felt inside. The desk was neat—too neat, papers perfectly stacked, pens arranged just so.
Mr. Moore’s ice-blue eyes met Tim’s, calm and steady, peering over the rims of his glasses. For a moment, Tim wondered if the man could actually see past his skin, straight into the mess of his mind, the cold calculating gaze borrowing in.
“Have a seat, Tim,” Mr. Moore’s voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, like it was carefully contained. The words felt heavy, loaded.
Tim hesitated. His legs felt like lead, but he forced himself forward, sitting down in the small chair in front of the desk. The wood groaned under his weight, a sound that seemed to amplify the tension in the room. ‘This is it.’ His eyes met Mr. Moore’s. ‘He already made up his mind. What am I doing here?’ His stomach churned. The weight of the room getting heavier.
Off to the side of the desk, Tracie stood whipping at her crocodile tears, her mascara smeared on her face. She wasn’t even looking at him. She didn’t need to; her presence was enough. Not a word said, just simple sobs to remind everyone in the room of her presence and why they were there. Not that they were needed.
“Tim, I would never have expected this from you.” Mr. Moore’s voice sliced through Tim’s thoughts, sharp and direct. Leaning forward slightly, his icy gaze never wavering. “Did you not think before speaking?”
“Of course I did Mr. Moore I just…” Mr. Moore raised a hand cutting him off before he could say anymore.
“Tim, I don't need excuses at the moment.” Mr. Moore said. He sat back, his fingers steepled in front of him as if he were observing a bug under a microscope. “If you thought then you knew exactly what you decided to do.”
“Sir, Tracie has been doing nothing but telling me where I mess up continuously I never get a chance to breathe.” He said gaining some strength in his voice as he spoke the truth how he does nothing and she is there.
“I have seen the videos Tim. If that was true she wouldn’t be all over the store. She is my eyes and ears on the floor while I am busy with other things. You are now just trying to find someone to blame. She was doing her job.” Mr. Moore said.
Tim’s brow forward as he tried to think. He wanted to say something to prove that he wasn’t doing that. His thoughts racing through everytime Tracie came at him. He had come to this job everyday with every intention of just doing his job and doing it well, but when Tracie seemed to see him badly he could never do right, everyday they worked together she was there to comment something, get on to him, blame him, judge him. It never seemed to let up.
“I’ve tried, Mr. Moore,” Tim said, his voice quieter now—not out of fear, but exhaustion. “Every day I clock in, I try to stay out of trouble. Do the work. Keep my head down.”
He took a breath, eyes resting somewhere between the desk and the floor. “But it feels like no matter what I do, I’m already on thin ice. Tracie finds something to criticize before I’ve even had a chance to settle in. It’s like I’m being graded on a test no one told me about.”
He looked up—not angry, not desperate. Just done.
“I like the gaming section. I like helping the customers find stuff and talking to them about things they are excited about. But everything else? The constant walking on eggshells? The way one bad opinion turns into fact overnight?” He shook his head. “I don’t know how to say it, except it is tiring.”
Tracie dabbed at her cheeks again, but Tim didn’t acknowledge her this time. He just kept talking.
“I’m not saying what I did was right. I lost my temper. I acknowledge that. But I didn’t wake up planning to yell at anyone. I just wanted a normal day. One where I could do my job without being treated like a problem the moment I am seen.”
Tim exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding that in for too long.
Mr. Moore was quiet for a long time after Tim finished speaking. The only sound in the room was the hum of the overhead light and the occasional sniffle from Tracie’s corner.
Finally, he sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“Thank you for your honesty,” he said, voice still composed, still clinical. “But honesty doesn't change how things are right now. Outbursts—especially public ones—don’t reflect well on my store, no matter the circumstances.”
He steepled his fingers. “I expect professionalism from everyone, regardless of who they get along with. That didn’t happen today.”
Tim didn’t argue. He just sat there, already knowing what was coming.
Mr. Moore studied him a moment longer, then spoke with the practiced finality of someone who’d done this a dozen times before.
“Leave your radio on the desk, and exit through the front. You’re dismissed, Tim.”
Tim nodded once, stood, and unclipped the radio from his belt. He placed it gently on the desk—no dramatic slamming, no final word. Just done.
As he turned to leave, his eyes passed over Tracie. The tears were still flowing, but for a brief second—just long enough to catch—he saw it. The faint smirk behind the crocodile tears performance.
He didn’t sneer. Didn’t roll his eyes. Just let out a quiet, tired sigh, shook his head and left.
The moment the office door clicked shut behind him, Tim felt the shift. The air felt less suffocating. His steps came easier. He walked toward the front of the store, past coworkers who had already started whispering behind him.
At the podium near the entrance, Simon spotted him immediately. His brow furrowed with concern.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low.
Tim gave a tired smile, more real than any he’d worn all day. “Got fired.”
Simon didn’t say anything, just waited.
“It’s alright,” Tim said, waving a hand like he was brushing it off. “I’ll figure something out to cover my half of the bills. Even if I have to go back to flippin’ burgers.”
“I’m not worried about that,” Simon replied. “But it sounds like you let out a lot you’ve been holding in.”
Tim chuckled, but the shame followed fast behind. “Yeah... bottled it up too long.” He paused. “It’s for the best. You and I both know if I stayed, she’d keep hounding me.”
“Yeah. She’s that type.” Simon pulled the car keys from his pocket and handed them over. “There’s a shirt in the trunk. Go grab some food, maybe some applications. Then pick me up this afternoon.”
Tim took the keys with a nod. “Alright. I’ll see you later.”
He turned and walked out the front doors for the last time.
What Did you think of this updated Chapter 1?
