I've been feeling kind of off lately.

Work has been insane, and most days I'm too drained to do anything, but go straight home and collapse in front of the TV.

My routine's been the same for months.

Walk out of work, zone out with my headphones, hope no one tries to talk to me, and drive home.

It's not exciting, but it works.

Or at least it did.

A few nights ago, I decided to mix things up.

Traffic was bad.

The rain was coming down in sheets and I was tired of staring

at the same depressing route home. I figured I'd try a shortcut, a faster way through the maze

of downtown streets. The area's mess of half-finished renovations and old crumbling buildings,

but I thought I knew it well enough to find my way.

That's when I remembered the mall.

I used to go there as a kid.

Back then, it was huge and crowded, full of life.

There was a carousel in the food court, bright neon signs everywhere, and this old candy shop

my mom used to bribe me with when I threw tantrums.

But as the years went by, the place started to die.

Stores closed and the crowds disappeared. Last I heard, most of it was abandoned,

except for a few discount shops hanging on by a thread. I was already running late and the idea of

cutting through the mall popped into my head like it was meant to be. I figured, why not?

Even if it's mostly empty, it's probably faster than walking around the block in the rain.

...