Blood Thirst: God of War

Dolls!

The late afternoon sun filtered through the glass panes of the corner coffee shop, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. At the window, a man in a dark overcoat sat alone, flipping through a folder of papers. His fingers were steady, practiced, as he turned each page with quiet precision. A half-empty coffee cup sat beside him, steam long faded. He brought the last sip to his lips, took it in thoughtfully, then set the cup down with a faint clink.

Outside, people passed by in a blur, the city carrying on in its usual rhythm. But inside, time seemed to slow.

He reached for the ashtray, tapped the remains of his cigarette, and snuffed out the glowing ember with a calm finality. Then, without glancing up, he lifted his hand and subtly signaled for the bill.

Moments later, a young woman in a brown apron approached the table. She had sharp eyes and a quiet presence, the kind that blended in easily. Her name tag read Katherine, and though she looked like any other barista, she wasn’