Alex was already awake long before the trumpets sounded the start of the day. Just like always, he was swimming in the lake, training his body. Just to be ready when the time was there. When he had to save someone. He knew he shouldn’t wish it, but he hoped it would happen. Only so the nagging guilt would start to diminish. Only just a little. Once he heard the trumpets, he stopped and swam back towards the sandy shore, dried himself off and got dressed. But he didn’t go towards the mall. Instead he looked over the lake one more time. The Cherry blossom trees were flourishing. Soon their petals would fall and the lake would be colored pink. Alex smiled. The place was so calm. Not just the lake. He liked it here. He knew that could change. But for now, he had no real wish to escape. Not yet. Though he knew that opinion was popular. So he kept it to himself.

After that he started the walk towards the mall. He was already later than he should be, taking his time to look at the serene lake. To make matters worse, Alex had gotten a craving for bacon. And he liked his bacon sizzling hot.