Day 3

Ah, it's cold. Too cold.

Looking back at it, I should've gone on the hike yesterday. In fact, why did I come to live up here when summer is ending? The thought pierces through my sleepy haze as I wake up, the chill of the morning air seeping into my bones. I shiver involuntarily, pulling the blankets tighter around me.

With a reluctant sigh, I finally muster the will to crawl out of bed. ‘Crawl out of bed’, a strange phrase. Wouldn’t crawling out of bed be more bothersome than sitting up and getting out bed. Strange, what idiot came up that phrase but then again, I used the phrase myself.

Ah, I guess I’m an idiot too.

-

Not to spoil anything but I didn’t go on the hike. I just lounged around all day.

‘Gnome delivery service’, how convenient. Just as I was getting hungry, I noticed a flyer under the bed. I guess I must have missed this when I was cleaning yesterday. It has a radio frequency at the bottom.

I dialled in the correct frequency, there was no crackling or any sound of the sort. “I’ll have pizza, a large margherita and a cola.” No response, so I’m entirely sure I ordered or just clowned myself.

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I lay still on the bed, the unfamiliar sensation of idleness washing over me. It was a rare moment. The quiet of the fire watch tower enveloped me, broken only by the crackling of embers in the stove. The stove serves as a pretty good heater.

Then, a sharp knock echoed through the small space. I push myself up, glancing at the door. Slowly, I turned the handle, revealing an expected visitor.

Before me stood a gnome, not more than knee-high, clutching a pizza box. As he hands me the pizza, he reaches for bag and takes out a bottle of cola. He just stands there staring at me.

Ah, I guess should pay him.

I went back inside, rummaged through my items looking for money, Heading back to the door, I offered him payment, but he paid no mind. Instead, he breezed past me, his steps surprisingly confident for one of his stature.

He surveyed the room, his sharp eyes missing nothing. It was as if he sought something. Then, he zeroed in on my watch; he can’t seriously expect my watch as payment.

With a swift, deliberate motion, he sent the watch crashing to the floor. My once-reliable timekeeper now reduced to fragments of metal and glass.

Undeterred, the gnome knelt amidst the wreckage, nimble fingers sifting through the ruins. He plucked out the tiny gems that once danced within the watch's heart, cradling them in his hand.

Returning to me, he met my gaze, a singular gem pinched between his fingers. His voice, surprisingly deep for his size, pierced the silence. "This," he declared, "For the pizza, deliver and tip." The rest he returned, allowing them to spill into my outstretched hand.

With that, he left.

So now, I sit on the catwalk, with my pizza and cola. My broken watch still scattered on the floor and a pocket full of gems, for future deliveries.

Damn, aha. I just can’t stop laughing.