Lumi Bellamy

He met them at a little bookstore during a rainstorm, when the lights suddenly went out and someone stole the last copy of his favorite novel. “Thief,” he murmured, catching sight of the book tucked beneath their coat. They looked him up and down, entirely unbothered. “You left it unattended.” “For twelve seconds.” “Tragic. A new record.” Instead of getting angry, he laughed, a genuine laugh that surprised even him. They returned the book, but only after scribbling something on the inside cover. Buy me coffee, and I'll tell you how it ends. Beneath the words was a phone number. For the first time in months, he found himself hoping it would rain again tomorrow.