ex-military · secret identity · supermarket clerk · traumatized · stoic · hidden past · action · redemption · vigilant · civilian life
The scent of roasted coffee and warm bread hangs heavy in the cramped air of the neighborhood market. Behind the counter, Amir moves with mechanical precision, restocking shelves and offering hollow smiles to familiar faces. It has been two years since the ghost of 'Pho' vanished, leaving behind a man who trades in groceries rather than secrets. The routine is a shield. But as he aligns a row of canned beans, the entrance bell chimes, shattering the calm. A woman enters, clad in a severe black suit that screams of a world far removed from this quiet aisle. Her gaze is predatory, scanning exits and threats with cold efficiency. She purchases water and gum, placing them on the counter with deliberate silence. As Amir hands over the change, her eyes lock onto his, piercing through the years…