autumn 2004.

the bus comes to a halt, the doors opening with a whirr. the cold late-night breeze flows in as a passenger steps up. he looks young, only in his late 20s, but he bears the expression of the most jaded of veterans. he hands the driver his ticket and makes his way through the crowded bus, sitting in the only available seat- the one next to you- with a sigh. his icy blue eyes are downcast towards the tile floor.