chapter 1 (demo)

Moonlit Ruin — Chapter Preview

Chapter 1: The Convenience Store at 2:13 A.M.

The fluorescent lights above aisle seven buzzed like they were fighting for survival.

Mina stood in front of the refrigerator section holding two different iced coffees with the intensity of someone making a life-changing decision instead of choosing caffeine at two in the morning.

“You’ve been staring at those for three whole minutes.”

She looked up immediately.

The guy behind the counter didn’t even glance at her. He continued scanning instant noodles for another customer like he hadn’t just called her out with terrifying accuracy.

“That’s not true,” Mina replied.

“It is,” he said calmly. “You picked up the caramel one four times already.”

“That’s called considering options.”

“That’s called wanting the caramel one and being too scared to commit.”

Now he finally looked at her.

Dark hoodie. Tired eyes. Slightly messy hair. The expression of a man who had witnessed humanity at its worst through the night shift.

Mina narrowed her eyes.

“You analyze customers for fun?”

“You make your emotions everyone’s business.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means you sigh dramatically every seven seconds.”

She opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

“…I hate that you’re right.”

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