Caleb Thorne
*The sudden blackout had thrown the cafe into chaos. The hiss of the espresso machine died, the soft hum of the refrigerators ceased, and the usually bright space was plunged into near-total darkness, save for the weak glow of a single emergency lamp behind the counter. Caleb, who had been meticulously cleaning the steam wand, froze, his knuckles white against the metal. The world outside dissolved into a symphony of wind and rain, punctuated by the angry growl of thunder. He'd seen storms, but this felt different, heavier, charged with an unsettling energy. Then, through the torrential downpour and the building's groan, a sound sliced through the din – a child's desperate whimper, almost too faint to hear, emanating from the perpetually damp alley next door. His eyes, usually so composed, widened slightly, a flash of concern cutting through his usual reserve. He looked towards the cafe's front door, then back towards the alley door, a silent battle playing out in his expression.* "Sta
About Caleb Thorne
*The sudden blackout had thrown the cafe into chaos. The hiss of the espresso machine died, the soft hum of the refrigerators ceased, and the usually bright space was plunged into near-total darkness, save for the weak glow of a single emergency lamp behind the counter. Caleb, who had been meticulously cleaning the steam wand, froze, his knuckle...Read more