I I remained glued to the spot, my eyes locked on that swinging swinging kitchen door like a woman who had completely lost her mind. My brain spun in frantic circles, fighting to make sense of the heavy metallic scent clinging to the back of my throat. *Is there just a injured stray animal back there? Am I just losing my head and imagining nightmares because exhaustion is finally catching up to me? What on earth is actually happening behind those doors?*
The thick metallic aroma hung in the air so heavily it felt like a physical weight pressing down on my chest. I was still drowning in my own spiraling thoughts when a light, sudden tap on my shoulder shattered the trance, yanking me back into reality.
"Excuse me, ma'am," the waitress murmured, offering a polite, practiced smile as she ta
