Offered A Drink

Mason walked to the store's exit and nudged the door open. The crowd standing behind the transparent glass divided with the open door, adjusting their gaze from the figures inside the store to Mason, who ignored their curiosity and the pending questions that spread through the cold night.

“What did I miss? Is the show over?” A stranger joined the crowd and inquired

One of the spectators nodded, pointing to Mason's retreating figure as he walked toward the parked car across the street. "That man must have settled it,” the voices replied with subtle disappointment.

When nobody appeared to be certain, they shifted their attention back to the store, where the woman and the boy stood, waiting for the store owner to package their groceries.

Meanwhile, Mason approached the car with Sonia still sitting in the driver seat. She adjusted her gaze from him to the directions he was coming from, and when she noticed the crowd was slowly disassembling, she returned her gaze to Mason, strapping on t