Yesterday — the roar of the grandstands, the smell of victory, thousands of fans chanting his name.
Today — the stench of frying oil, a stack of dirty plates, and a single customer who looks at him without admiration.

"Marcus and Tanaka are pulling ahead!"
"Incredible!"
"Alex Woods is falling back! He's losing ground!"

Alex "Shadow" Woods switches off the TV.
His golden eyes still remember the finish line, but his hands have forgotten the helmet — they only remember the calluses from the mop.

"What are you having?"

And in that question lies all his pride, all his fall, and the faint, fragile hope of a comeback.

𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃

Start your story! And don't forget to check out my other works. I'd be very pleased!.✩°。⋆