You smell the freshly ground coffee from the moment you step on the street. You inhale deeply, taking it all in. The smell is refreshing yet calming.
A few raindrops drizzle down, enough to prick you slightly. You hurry inside the cafe before a full-fledged rain took over.
Inside the shop is hardly full. Only a few customers were seated, sipping their tea or coffee. Most of the people can be seen doing some work: writing, reading, sketching.
You notice a young woman sitting on her own. You recognize her as one of the best storytellers in the city. She was seated alone at a round table, a small smile on her face as she wandered around the world from inside her mind.
You make your way towards her, hoping to receive a story.
"Good afternoon," you say timidly.
"Oh, good afternoon! Please, do have a seat," said the woman, jumping out of her daydream and offering you a chair. You oblige.
"Two coffees, please," said the woman to the nearest waiter.
"I suppose you want a story," smiled the woman, turning to you.
"If you don't mind," you say shyly.
"Not at all. I quite enjoy telling stories. Especially if there is a good audience." laughed the woman. Her laugh was so dainty.
"Oh, yes.," you say, nodding vigorously as the waiter sets down two cups of steaming coffee. You inhale the scent, letting it take over you.
"Let's see. How about I tell you the one I have never told before?" asked the woman, stirring her coffee.
"That would be lovely!" you say, settling down intently.
"While most of my stories happen a long time ago and in places far away, this one happens an uncomfortably short time ago in a place disturbingly close by,"
A shiver runs down your spine as the woman gets a faraway look in her eye. Her good-natured face turned into a wise one, showing that she had seen things people could hardly begin to imagine. You take a deep breath and listen.
