Run: 2026-09-03-01M1M0V6B06865JYX9Y6608QNA

The bakery’s oven ticked, cinnamon filling the air. “Did you see the new delivery note?” “It was under the cash register. Flour smudges on the corner.” “The owner isn’t back until Thursday.” “Which means someone opened the back door after closing.” A tray of cardamom knots cooled on the counter, their sugar shells cracking with the slightest touch. “I counted the boxes. Twelve, not ten.” “And the extra box?” “Empty now. But the straw was fresh, and a black ribbon had been tied around it.” The bell above the door jingled, though no one entered. “Maybe it was a gift.” “Gifts don’t arrive at two in the morning.” A small paper receipt lay beneath the display case, its ink still damp. “Who bought a loaf of bread at two in the morning?” The lights dimmed, then returned. On the flour-dusted tile, a single footprint pointed toward the walk-in freezer. A soft click came from inside. “The freezer’s locked from the inside.” “But the light is off.” A radio crackled once, then fell silent. In the window, the street glowed. Far away, a car door closed. The old bakery smelled of warm bread, butter, sugar, and unanswered questions for now.