AURELIA

I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, my anxiety spiking with each passing second. 8:47 AM. Thirteen minutes until my shift started, and I was still stuck at this wretched bus stop.

The usually reliable cab service was nowhere to be found, courtesy of the morning traffic chaos. I paced back and forth, my heels clicking impatiently on the pavement.

"Come on, come on," I muttered to myself.

With a huff, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began ...