Aines South Gate Jumeiduo Restaurant
A fierce gust swept through the restaurant's somewhat aged glass door, making it creak and groan. Slanted rain slipped through the open crack and splashed onto the restaurant's worn floor.
The clerk behind the counter glanced at the glass door swinging open and shut, then at the rainwater seeping in beneath it. She turned back to look at the mop and floor scrubber standing in the corner.
After a brief pause, she looked away.
The wind outside seemed to grow sharper. The restaurant's old hanging television chattered with voices, broadcasting news no one cared about.
Two or three gunshots sounded in the distance, speaking of the neighborhood's usual peace.
Whoosh—
A violent gust suddenly blew up, forcing the already-rattling glass door outward by a full third.
Howling wind and pea-sized raindrops poured harder into the narrow shop.
Feeling the damp chill, the clerk looked up at the scene but still did nothing.
An Old Man seated near the entrance felt the cold wind. He slowly picked up his tray, which held a cup of cola and a hamburger, along with the black curved-handle umbrella leaning against his table, and moved toward the corner of the restaurant.
At another table beside him, a young man with fried chicken and burgers piled on his tray and a cola in hand looked up at the open glass door and frowned slightly.
He pulled his tray closer to the rain-speckled glass curtain wall, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the open door.
The street outside was lit by rows of lights from vehicles queued up to leave the city.
Whoosh—
But the gale outside continued to roar, as though it wanted to wrench the entire glass door wide open.
The young man frowned and began to