Run: 2026-10-07-01M4ASVGX5VGT9RPT5H6D38CYP

The bell above the door jingled as the scent of cinnamon and fresh bread wrapped around them. "Morning. The usual?" "Please. And maybe one of those new almond croissants—if they’re as good as the rumors say." "Rumors? In this town, everything’s a rumor until it’s a scandal." "True. Speaking of, did you hear about the mayor’s garden?" "Who hasn’t? Half the town’s been sneaking peeks over the fence." "Think it’s really haunted?" "Haunted? More like the mayor’s just bad at gardening. Those roses look like they’ve seen better days." "Or worse nights." A laugh, warm as the oven’s glow. "You’ve been reading too many of those mystery novels again." "Can you blame me? This town’s quieter than a library on Sunday." "Until it isn’t." The croissant was placed on the counter, golden and flaking. "Well, if the garden *is* haunted, at least the ghosts have good taste in pastries." "Only if they pay on time." The bell jingled again as the door swung shut behind them.