A girl diligently maneuvered through the restaurant, promptly taking orders and delivering plates. This was her dedicated role as a waiter for a small café in town.
“Jessica! Someone ordered coffee outside. Go bring it to him,” an older lady gestured toward a middle-aged man sitting in the corner.
That was her boss, Milana. Stern but kind, she was like a parent to Jessica. Her guidance was firm yet caring, a perfect blend that helped Jessica thrive in her job.
“Yes, ma’am!” Jessica responded with a cheerful nod. She took the tray from Milana’s hands and quickly walked over toward the man. The tray balanced perfectly in her hand as she navigated through the bustling café with practiced ease.
The man sat in a secluded corner of the outdoor seating area, a spot shaded by a large umbrella. His gaze was fixed on the view beyond the café, seemingly lost in thought. As Jessica approached, she noted his contemplative expression and wondered briefly what might be on his mind.
“Good afternoon, sir,” Jessica said with a warm smile as she gently placed the coffee cup on the table. Here’s your coffee. Is there anything else I can get for you?”
The man looked up, his eyes focusing on her. For a moment, he seemed taken aback, as if pulled from deep thoughts.
“No, thank you. This will be just fine,” he replied.
Jessica nodded and gave him a polite smile before turning to leave. As she walked back to the café, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of curiosity about the man. Something about him seemed different, a quiet intensity that stood out from the usual patrons.
Returning to the counter, Jessica glanced at Milana, who was busy preparing another order. The café was bustling with its usual lunchtime rush, and Jessica knew she had to stay focused. But the image of the man and his contemplative demeanor lingered in her mind.
As the day went on, Jessica continued to perform her duties with diligence and a friendly attitude, always keeping an eye out for the patrons' needs. But now and then, she found her gaze drifting back to the corner where the man sat, sipping his coffee and watching the world go by.
*** *** ***
Jessica lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind drifting back to her school days. She had never enjoyed school much; the long hours and monotonous lessons felt more like a chore than a place of learning. But there was one event, one memory, that always fascinated her. It was during a history class when she overheard the teachers whispering about an event from thirty years ago—The Great Purge.
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It was a bit of a taboo subject, shrouded in mystery and fear. The Great Purge was the term used to describe the catastrophic event when a creature wreathed in white flames appeared and wiped out every being that walked on the planet. Every being except for the inhabitants of this small town, a community of about one hundred thousand people. No one knew why the creature spared them, and the survivors rarely spoke of it.
Jessica remembered the hushed tones and the way the teachers' voices trembled as they spoke. It was clear that even decades later, the terror of that day lingered in their memories. She had always wanted to know more, but any time she tried to ask, she was met with stern looks and silence. The fear and the pain were still too fresh for many.
Her thoughts wandered back to the man in the café earlier that day. There was something about him, a quiet intensity that seemed almost otherworldly. She wondered if he knew about the Great Purge if he had seen or heard something that could explain why this town was spared.
Jessica turned on her side, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. But the curiosity gnawed at her. She had always felt a strange connection to the past, a pull towards understanding what had happened and why. Perhaps it was because she had grown up in the shadow of that event, in a town filled with people who had all been touched by the same tragedy.
As she drifted off to sleep, her mind filled with images of white flames and whispered secrets, Jessica resolved to find out more. She needed to understand what had happened thirty years ago and why their town was spared. It could help her understand the present and the future that awaited them all.
*** *** ***
Jessica woke up with a yawn, stretching her arms above her head. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across her small apartment. She crept out of bed, her bare feet padding softly against the cool floor. Making her way to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth, feeling the minty freshness chase away the last remnants of sleep.
The shower was a brief but refreshing ritual. The hot water cascaded over her, washing away the drowsiness and filling her with a sense of renewed energy. She quickly dried off, dressed in her usual café uniform, and stepped out of the bathroom. The small space of her apartment was cozy, filled with little trinkets and souvenirs that spoke of a simple but content life.
Jessica grabbed her keys and phone, heading out the door and down the narrow staircase to the street below. The morning air was crisp, the town slowly waking up around her. She walked briskly toward the café, her mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. The streets were still relatively quiet, with only a few early risers going about their morning routines.
As she approached the café, she saw the familiar sight of Milana bustling about inside, preparing for the day. The café was a quaint little place, a warm and welcoming spot in the heart of the town. Jessica pushed open the door, the bell above it chiming softly.
"Morning, Jessica," Milana greeted her with a smile. "Ready for another busy day?"
"Morning, Milana," Jessica replied, smiling back. "Always."
She put on her apron and quickly got to work, preparing the tables and setting up the counter. The routine was comforting, a steady rhythm that grounded her. But as she moved through the motions, her thoughts kept drifting back to the man from yesterday and the lingering mystery of the Great Purge.
Determined to shake off her preoccupation, Jessica focused on her tasks, greeting the early customers with a warm smile and a cheerful hello. The café began to fill up as the morning progressed, the familiar hum of conversation and the clinking of cups creating a cozy atmosphere.
Yet, in the back of her mind, the questions remained. What had really happened thirty years ago? And why had their town been spared? As she served coffee and cleared tables, she resolved to find some answers, no matter how deeply buried they might be.