Outside the window, the setting sun's afterglow filtered through the glass and sprinkled onto the room. The shopkeepers started packing up, leaving the street deserted.
The Old Granny and her companion parted ways, and Granny hunched her back and walked into the restaurant.
There was not a soul inside, and the counter was conspicuously empty. The Old Granny grumbled, "All you know is to laze around. You've run the business into the ground."
In her hand, she carried a pot of oil, a plucked chicken, and a few radishes.
"Cui, Clydie? Where did you guys die off to?" The Old Granny headed into the backyard, yelling at the top of her lungs.
Despite her age, she had a remarkably loud voice.
"Always finding new ways to disappoint me."
——
Kelly Martinez had watched Aubree Groove receiving a call; Aubree, who had always maintained her calm even in the face of catastrophe, finally showed a ripple of disturbance.
