Closed Since 2014

At two in the morning, I was walking alone on the deserted highway. A roadside eatery

appeared ahead. I was hungry, so I stopped. Inside, only one cook was

present. He served food without asking anything. In the glass reflection, I saw only myself.

A voice from the kitchen said, “Payment is made after death.” Outside, the board was rusted.

It read, “Closed since 2014.” On my plate, words were scratched, “Last customer.”

Then I realized, I never truly left that place.