EIGHT-TAILED FOX.

Chapter: 16.

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The day was warm and muggy as if the sky had been drenched in water. The heat from the asphalt pavement was enough to make one sweat profusely, even with sunglasses on. A group of children played in the playground with a swing set and monkey bars, but the adults were nowhere to be seen, probably hiding away under the shades. Are children immune to harsh weather? The air tasted thick and oppressive like it belonged inside a humid greenhouse rather than outside where the sun shimmered in the cloudless blue sky. Even the birds seemed lazy and reluctant to fly about their usual business. A cool wind blew through the streets and caused the leaves on the trees to rustle as if they were sighing. It wasn't much of an improvement over the hot weather. On his right, stood a busy Coffee shop, and inside the small coffee shop sat men and women, he could see them smiling, laughing, making and taking orders. But, outside the Coffee shop under an umbrella, sat two women at a tabl