Elias' nervousness grew more palpable, and a faint sheen of cold sweat dampened his palms. He stood there waiting, but no one came to the door.

Panic stirred in his chest, and without thinking, he reached out to push the door. To his dismay, it was firmly locked, refusing to budge.

Nearby, a small blackboard caught his attention.

On it were the words: "Closed today."

At first, he had assumed th