It was a dark and stormy night as Mac hailed a taxi on the busy city streets. The rain was coming down in sheets, making it difficult for him to spot a free cab. But finally, one pulled up to the curb and he climbed into the backseat. “Follow that car,” Mac said, pointing to…

The alarm blared through the quiet suburban neighbourhood, jolting Gilbert out of his deep sleep. He groggily reached for his phone to check the time, and as he did, he saw the notification for the home security app on his phone. The alarm was coming from his own house. Gilbert’s heart pounded in his chest…

“This damn curfew…”, uttered Dennis as he made his way to his apartment; carefully skipping pot-holes, not to let mud ruin his designer jacket. He was almost home, a few minutes shy to the curfew time enforced by the local government to ensure the deadly pandemic was put in check. As he ran towards the estate entrance, he couldn’t help but wonder if his girlfriend had made it home in time. He wished he had accompanied her home but she lived with her grandmother who was a tough nut to crack. It was thoughtful to have ordered a cab for her ride back home. It was definitely a faster and safer option too, furthermore it would have saved her from the drizzles that would have eventually ruined her hair. If there was one thing that Dennis knew to heart, it was that Queen’s hair was not be messed with.

The metal door had a familiar ugly creak to it. The dull rhythmic thud that accompanied it though was unfamiliar. “Well, aren’t you going to come in?” The sadness that was enveloping her heart stuttered to a halt. “Don’t stand out there in the cold Ariel. You’ll get a warm cup of tea and the chocolate muffins you always liked.” Even after all this time, her voice and accent still had its characteristic nasality to her mother tongue. She had put on a few pounds around the middle though, and the spectacles and wooden walking stick were definitely a newer touch. She clutched it firmly as she stood on the front porch that was once filled with well tendered petunias.