After the death of his son and, struggling with his own grief, Colt hits the road. He finds himself in a small town where the wizard, Atticus, protects the magical creatures that live there. Shortly after arriving, Colt begins to see visions of whit...
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It was a full day's ride back to the city. The bus was crowded, but quiet, his fellow passengers engrossed in their own electronic devices and books. Colt slept on and off, waking when they stopped to drop off or pick up people, and falling back asleep when they were back on the highway, lulled by the rhythmic rocking.
The trip took over twelve hours. By the time Colt was stumbling into the bus station in the city, it was already late evening. The sun was just beginning to set, painting the sky brilliant oranges and pinks.
His shoulders and legs ached from the trip. Colt felt tired and wide awake all at the same time. After years of being in kitchens, standing until his feet and legs hurt, it was difficult for him to spend a significant amount of time sitting down.
The bus station was central enough, and Colt adjusted his backpack on his shoulder before beginning to make his way through the city.
The city was familiar, although it was almost odd to see it in the midst of a sunset. Had he really spent that much time at work that the majority of what he remembered were dark, late nights? People sat out on patios, stopping for a rest and a drink in the summer heat. There was laughter and chatter everywhere, but Colt already noticed the absence of the sound of guitars and singing voices that had been so prevalent in the small towns he'd passed through.
The front of the restaurant, Nero was ostentatious. It was typical fine-dining and yet, people had gone crazy over it. His food had been good - great even, but he had no interest in producing that kind of food anymore.
The inside hadn't changed. The new owners hadn't wanted to mess around with it, but despite the decor, this place wasn't his any longer. It was clear to him in the smell and something he felt deep inside him. This wasn't a place he came to oversee the morning prep and stay until nearly the middle of the night, only to do it all again the next day.
"Oh, Colt!" The hostess' voice startled him out of his thoughts. He smiled, glad to see something was still the same.
"Hello, Anika. How are you?" he said.
"We're good. Welcome back! If we had been expecting you, then we would have prepared a table for you."
"That's okay. Thank you." Colt didn't know if he would have been able to bear calling ahead.
"Did you want to see Jason?" she asked, but before he could respond, Colt was being led through the restaurant.
He followed her, not needing to be led, but accepting the gesture anyway. It was only respectful. When he'd owned the place, he'd have walked right in, suggesting that things be changed along the way. Now, he stayed silent, and watched that his backpack didn't bump the patrons at the tables on his way.
The kitchen was busy at the height of dinner service. People were shouting, dishes were clanging, and food was sizzling. There was such a mix of noise and smells. Had Colt really worked here for twelve, thirteen, or even fifteen hours each day? It was hard to believe that he'd functioned in all the noise.
Jason was standing at one end of the kitchen. All the plates were coming to him for their final inspection before being sent out. Colt could see him wiping the plates, ensuring they were clean and that everything was cooked correctly. Jason was several years Colt's junior and the one he'd left in charge of the kitchen. He hadn't looked so young when Colt had him take over, but now, he looked impossibly young - too young.
Jason glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, sparing a moment for a smile. Colt knew that he wasn't going to get much visiting time in, so instead, he watched the kitchen, ensuring that he stayed firmly out of the way.
When there was a brief lull, Jason stopped to grab a sip of water and to breathe.
"Colt," he said, shifting his weight back and forth and stretching his legs. "Meet back here for a drink after close? I'd like to chat with you."
Colt nodded his agreement and left the restaurant through the kitchen exit so he wouldn't disturb other people.
Outside in the alley, it was quiet. Colt could hear a faint ringing in his ears.
He used the time to find a hotel. He knew before he even entered one of the massive buildings near the restaurant that he couldn't afford it. Saying that he was cash-strapped felt like a bit of an exaggeration.
The restaurant industry was an interesting thing to him. Being the owner, Colt had made a significant amount of money, but his love for his work prevented him from enjoying it in how one would normally think of enjoying their money. As long as Colt made enough money to support a roof over his head for a place to sleep in between shifts, he was happy.
It was that type of thinking that brought about an end to his life.
Instead of a hotel, Colt found a hostel near to the restaurant. It was a beautiful place, if not a little busy as travelers got their last bit of travel in before the weather turned cold.
As soon as Colt came into his room, a man playing the guitar asked Colt where he was from. His answer was curt as he had been hoping to rest before he headed back to talk with Jason. Instead of arguing with strangers, Colt made his life a little easier, and headed back to the front desk to change his reservation. A room by himself was more expensive, but worth it, the charge having nowhere to go but on his credit card.
The room wasn't completely soundproof. Colt could still hear people outside his door and in the rest of the hostel, but he was alone, in a place quiet enough to rest. He lie down on the bed and closed his eyes, listening to the sounds outside his door.
