139 FED

ARIEL'S POV The hospital corridors were unusually quiet at this early hour, the only sound being the soft shuffle of my footsteps against the linoleum floor. I reached the lobby, where the fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over the empty chairs and deserted reception desk. The automatic doors slid open with a soft whooshing, and I stepped out into the cool morning air. The streets were just beginning to stir, and the sky was a canvas of pastel pinks and oranges as the sun peeked over the horizon. I made my way down the sidewalk, my breath misting in the crisp air. The city was slowly waking up, the hum of traffic in the distance mingling with the chirping of birds in the nearby trees. I turned the corner and spotted a small convenience store nestled between two towering buildings. The storefront was adorned with colorful neon signs advertising various goods, and a flickering "Open 24 Hours" sign beckoned to early risers like me. Yeah, that was kind of true. The tantalizing smel