The Grand Mall was a glittering maze of lights and noise, the upper floor buzzing with shoppers weaving through stores, their bags rustling, their voices blending into a lively hum.
The escalator hummed beneath my boots as I rode up, my hands in my pockets, my long black shirt and t-shirt catching the cool air-conditioned breeze. The faint scent of my cologne lingered, drawing a few giggles and whispers from a group of girls nearby, but my focus was ahead, scanning for Aeri.
