CHAPTER 104: A dignity of ashes

　　John returns home after leaving the bar to the lit hallway of his rundown apartment building weary and aching from his first day on the job.

　　He could still smell the faint remnants of stale beer on his clothes from the bar and the smoky atmosphere lingered on him like a cloak. The thought of coming back to his small, one bedroom apartment brought a small sense of relief, a small sanctuary, however humble, where he could rest his tired bones but as he turned the corner and approached his door, he stopped in his tracks. A pile of suitcases and boxes lined the hallway just outside. His heart began to pound in confusion and disbelief. He opened the door slowly, only to find an unfamiliar man arranging a few pieces of furniture and the last traces of his belongings nowhere in sight.

　　The man turned, raising an eyebrow at John's sudden appearance. "

　　Can I help you?" He asked.

　　John blinked, words escaping him.