Sanctuary

Chapter 6: "Sanctuary"

Asher's day began with a sense of purpose. He started by repairing the worn-out plaque outside the restaurant, carefully cleaning and reattaching the rusty letters. As he worked, the warm sun beat down on him, and the sounds of nature created a soothing melody.

Next, he turned his attention to the interior of the restaurant. He swept and dusted every surface, removing the thick layers of grime and cobwebs that had accumulated over time. The tables and chairs, once shrouded in dust, now gleamed in the fading light.

Asher also tidied up the small room where he had slept, smoothing out the plain bed. He worked methodically, his eyes scanning every surface, ensuring everything was in order.

As the sun began to set, Asher gathered sticks and branches from the nearby trees and created a bonfire outside the restaurant. He tossed the vines and cobwebs he had removed earlier onto the flames, watching as they crackled and burned, releasing a fragrant scent of burned leaves into the air.

Asher sat down beside the fire, peeling a wild fruit he had picked earlier. He ate it calmly, his expression unreadable.

But as the darkness deepened, Asher's senses began to pick up on something else. A presence, lurking just beyond the edge of the firelight, watching him. He squint his eyes, his gaze scanning the shadows, his expression cold and calculating.

The air seemed to grow colder, the silence more oppressive. Asher's eyes narrowed, his attention fixed on the darkness beyond. He stood up, his movements deliberate and calm, and backed away from the fire, his eyes never leaving the shadows.

Without turning his back on the unknown presence, Asher slowly retreated into the restaurant, the creaking of the old wooden door echoing through the stillness. He locked the door behind him, the sound of the rusty latch clicking into place a reassuring sound.

Asher stood there, his ear pressed against the door, his eyes fixed on the darkness beyond. His presence seemed to fill the space, a dark and foreboding aura that seemed to seep into the very walls of the restaurant.