The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air as the morning sun filtered through the bakery's wide windows. It was only my second day on the job, and already, I felt like I knew this place inside and out. The owners, Errol and Lena Whitley, were the kind of people who made you feel like family from day one. Errol, tall and sturdy with a permanent dusting of flour on his apron, ran the oven like it was an extension of himself, while Lena handled the front, her warm smile welcoming customers in like they were old friends.
Billy and I had lucked out with this gig. I spent most of the morning inside, helping Errol prep the dough, glaze pastries, and keep the fire stoked just right. The routine was simple, and I'd learned it fast—get in early, prepare the bakery for the day, and once the first wave of customers left, I could head out. Except for Billy.
Billy had the... less conventional role of standing outside in a giant, ridiculous-looking loaf costume. They thought it'd bring in more business, and weirdly enough, it worked. Kids loved him, pointing and laughing, and their parents followed with amused smiles. He hated every second of it, of course. Every now and then, I'd glance out the window and catch him scowling beneath that oversized loaf head, throwing half-hearted waves and pretending to enjoy it.
I chuckled to myself, It was his punishment, in a way, for mouthing off to Errol when we first got hired. Still, watching him squirm in that costume almost made the job feel lighter.
After another hour of prepping, Lena turned to me with a smile. "You've done more than enough for today, Elliot. Why don't you head out and enjoy the day?"
I wiped my hands on my apron and nodded. "Thanks, Lena. You're sure you don't need anything else?"
"We'll manage just fine. Besides, you look like you could use a little fresh air."
I glanced over at Billy, who was still waving to passersby in his loaf costume. I grinned. "You think I should save him?"
Lena laughed. "Let him earn his keep. You go on."
I untied my apron and hung it on a peg by the door before stepping out into the cool morning air. The street was busy as usual, but not overwhelming. People were bustling about, buying goods, chatting with neighbors, and grabbing their breakfast. I could feel the weight of routine slowly lifting as I walked away from the bakery, leaving Billy to his fate for the day.
I wandered around town, stopping at a couple of food stalls that lined the streets. With a fresh pastry from Lena in one hand and some spiced meat skewers from a vendor in the other, I let myself enjoy the calm that had settled over the marketplace. It felt strange, in a way, not running around delivering packages or dodging dangerous situations. Just… being.
The more I explored, the more I felt a sense of belonging in Caldora. It was a city, sure, but not so big that it swallowed you whole. There were alleys and hidden corners, tucked-away parks and shops that gave it character. I found myself on the outskirts, just beyond the last few houses, where the city walls rose high against the open sky.
I paused there, sitting on a low stone ledge just before the city wall began. The breeze was crisp, carrying with it the smell of earth and distant wildflowers. I breathed it in, leaning back and closing my eyes. It was peaceful here. Not too far from the town, but far enough to feel… free.
Before long, the quiet rhythm of the wind and the warmth of the sun had me dozing off. I let my mind drift, not thinking about work, or Billy, or even what was waiting for me in the future. Just this—an afternoon of quiet, a rare moment to catch my breath.
Elliot stretched out on the grassy hill just beyond the outskirts of Caldora, enjoying the rare moment of peace. The bakery shift had been easier than expected, and with Billy stationed outside the shop as the "mascot," Elliot was free to explore the town at his leisure. Now, he found himself leaning against the low stone wall, the cool breeze carrying the scent of the wildflowers that dotted the area. His eyes fluttered shut, and before he knew it, he had dozed off.
The sun had moved higher in the sky when a sudden, loud crash jolted him awake.
Thud!
"Oi, Elliot!" came Billy's exasperated voice, followed by the unmistakable thump of something large and soft hitting him square in the stomach.
Elliot gasped and shot up, only to find a half-eaten loaf of bread resting in his lap. "What the—?"
Billy stood over him, arms crossed, his face red with frustration. "You're over here, napping in the sun, while I'm out there sweating like a pig in that stupid costume!"
Elliot blinked, still groggy from sleep. "Costume?"
Billy threw his hands in the air. "The mascot outfit, remember? They dressed me up like some ridiculous flour bag with eyes! And here you are, living the good life, mate." He plopped down on the grass beside Elliot, huffing dramatically. "I swear, if I have to wave at one more customer, I'm going to lose it."
Elliot couldn't help but laugh, rubbing his eyes. "Sounds rough, but I didn't think you'd take it this personally."
"Personally? The kids were throwing bread at me! I thought they were my fans, but no—they were aiming for my head." Billy reached for the loaf he'd thrown at Elliot earlier. "And this is all I got in return. Half a day's work, and a sad bit of bread. Nice, eh?"
Elliot grinned. "Well, look at it this way. At least they didn't pelt you with yesterday's stale bread."
Billy groaned and flopped onto his back, staring at the clouds. "You're lucky I don't quit right now and leave you to wave at customers in the Flour Bag."
As Elliot chuckled, his eyes drifted toward a patch of greenery nearby. Something peculiar caught his attention—a small plant with leaves that had a distinct, sharp fragrance. Curious, he got up to examine it. The smell was fresh and tangy, almost like lemons.
"Hey, Billy, check this out." Elliot knelt down, plucking a leaf from the plant and holding it to his nose. "Smells like citrus."
Billy pushed himself up, joining Elliot by the strange plant. He squinted, and then his eyes widened with recognition. "Oh, that's Zalora Vine!" He grinned mischievously. "The fruit it produces is famous around here. It's tiny and looks harmless, but bite into it, and you'll be puckering up for hours. It's insanely sour."
Elliot raised an eyebrow. "Really? It doesn't look like much."
"Trust me, mate," Billy said with a smirk. "You do not want to eat that thing. They use it to make this sour wine that's like... a punishment in a bottle. Nobody likes it though."
Elliot sniffed the leaves again, curiosity piqued. "Might have to try that wine sometime."
Billy made a face. "Good luck. You'll need a stronger stomach than I have for that."
Shaking his head, Elliot stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. "Well, I guess it's time for the next adventure. We've got our tavern shift coming up."
Billy groaned, pulling himself to his feet. "Can we just take a break from jobs? The Flour Bag was bad enough, now we're headed to a tavern where I'm sure something equally humiliating awaits."
Elliot smirked. "Hey, at least this time you'll be inside, no costumes. Think of it as a break from the bread brigade."
Billy let out a defeated sigh, but his usual humor returned as he punched Elliot lightly in the arm. "Fine, but if I end up scrubbing floors again, I'm holding you responsible."