CHAPTER 35

The sky was still draped in dark shades of the night when Bruno opened the door of the sports equipment store, Nilton's Bike. It was a new day, but for Bruno, it seemed to carry the weight of the choices he had made. He wanted to lose himself in his work, immerse himself in every task that needed to be done, a way to find focus and purpose amidst the confusing emotions that plagued him.

He began cleaning the store, organizing shelves, checking stocks, and ensuring everything was perfect for another day of business. The occupation gave him a sense of normalcy, a feeling of control over something in his life that he felt he had lost.

Nearly two hours later, his friends and coworkers, Gabriel, Lucas, and Jonathan, arrived at the store. They watched Bruno with looks that denoted concern and curiosity. It was clear that something was happening, something they hadn't been informed about.

Lucas was the first to approach, greeting Bruno with a nod. "Hey, Bruno, everything okay?"

Bruno averted