“Jessica, someone’s waiting for you outside,” Milana said with a knowing wink.

“Who is it?” Jessica asked, curiosity piqued as she headed towards the window. She took a peek outside and instantly recognized him. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly retreated, her cheeks flushing a deep pink. “So... um, can I go to him?”

Milana smiled warmly, the kind of smile that hinted at understanding more than she let on. “Sure, go ahead.”

Without further hesitation, Jessica half-walked, half-skipped towards the door, excitement bubbling within her. She crept up behind James, who was sitting at a table, seemingly lost in thought. He hadn’t noticed her approach.

When she was close enough, she wrapped her arms around him from behind, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. “Hi, James,” she whispered into his ear.

James jumped slightly at the unexpected embrace, but when he turned and saw it was Jessica, his initial surprise melted into a warm smile. “Jess, you startled me,” he said with a chuckle, reaching up to gently squeeze her hands.

She giggled, feeling a surge of happiness at his touch. “I couldn’t resist,” she admitted, moving around to take the seat across from him. “What brings you here so early?”

“I was in the area and thought I’d surprise you,” James replied, his eyes twinkling with affection. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important.”

Jessica shook her head, her smile widening. “You’re never an interruption. I’m just glad to see you.”

They settled into a comfortable conversation, the world around them fading into the background. For a moment, it was just the two of them, connected in their little bubble of happiness amidst the bustling morning at the café.

Ten minutes later, James glanced at his watch and sighed. “Sorry, Jess, but I should probably get to work.”

Jessica nodded, understanding but still reluctant to see him go. She stood up and wrapped her arms around him for one last hug, savoring the moment. “See you later, James,” she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

He smiled, returning the embrace. “See you later, Jess. Have a good day.”

She watched him walk away, her eyes lingering on his retreating figure until he disappeared from view. As she turned back towards the café, she felt a presence, a chill running down her spine. Jessica’s gaze drifted to the dark corner where the man from yesterday sat, his eyes fixed on her.

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The man’s intense stare sent a wave of unease through her. He was sitting in the same spot, shrouded in shadows, his demeanor as unsettling as before. Jessica took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something off about him.

Gathering her courage, she approached his table. “Can I get you anything else?” she asked, her voice steady despite the growing apprehension she felt.

The man looked up at her, his expression unreadable. “Just a coffee,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “Black.”

Jessica nodded and quickly made her way back to the counter, where Milana was busy with another order. “Milana, the man in the corner wants a black coffee,” she said, trying to keep her voice casual.

Milana glanced over at the corner, her brows furrowing slightly. “Alright, I’ll get that for you.”

As Milana prepared the coffee, Jessica couldn’t help but steal another glance at the man. He was still watching her, his gaze unwavering. She shivered and turned back to the counter, feeling a sense of relief when Milana handed her the steaming cup.

“Here you go,” Milana said with a reassuring smile. “Be careful, Jess. There’s something... strange about him.”

Jessica nodded, grateful for the warning. She carried the coffee over to the man’s table and placed it in front of him with a polite smile. “Here’s your coffee.”

The man nodded his thanks but said nothing more, his eyes following her as she retreated. Jessica could feel his gaze on her back, a constant reminder of his unsettling presence. She tried to shake off the feeling and focus on her work, but a nagging sense of unease lingered, making it difficult to concentrate.

After what felt like an eternity, Jessica finally mustered up the courage to ask the mysterious man about The Great Purge. She took long, confident strides toward him, and in no time, she was right in front of him. He looked up from the newspaper he was reading but said nothing. Jessica, without a word, sat down across from him. They sat in uncomfortable silence before Jessica spoke up.

“Hi, Sir. Do you know anything about The Great Purge?” she said as quickly as possible.

A slight darkness flashed through his eyes but vanished as quickly as it appeared. “No.”

“Sir! I know you do… weren't you around at that time?”

“I was alive, yes.”

“Then tell me!” She begged. After not getting a reply, she tried a different route. “Well, fine… at least tell me why you were staring at me.”

Yet again, another emotion crossed his eyes, but this time sadness. “You just made me rethink some old memories that I struggle to forget."

Jessica’s curiosity mixed with concern. "What memories?"

The man sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Memories of loss.”

Jessica leaned in, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Please, tell me more. I've always been fascinated by that part of history."

The man looked at her, his gaze piercing. "It was a time of great chaos. A creature wreathed in white flames appeared out of nowhere, bringing destruction to everything in its path. Entire cities were wiped out, and millions of lives were lost.”

"Why did it spare this town?" Jessica asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man hesitated before answering. "No one knows for sure. Some say it was because of the town's insignificance. Others believe it was an act of mercy. But those who were there, who saw the creature and lived through the terror, know that there was no rhyme or reason to its actions. It was pure, unadulterated destruction."

Jessica shivered at his words, the weight of his memories pressing down on her. "And you... you were here?"

He nodded slowly. "I was."

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the past hanging heavily between them. Eventually, Jessica stood up, giving the man a final, understanding look before returning to her duties. As she walked away, she couldn't help but glance back, her mind swirling with the newfound knowledge of The Great Purge and the silent, enigmatic man who had lived through it.

*** *** ***

Knox saw the young woman walk away. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth, as it could destroy the peace that he’d tried to cultivate since wiping the planet of all living creatures. The real purpose of this city was precisely for that reason: to create a new society.