Home, Again

Earth had not gotten smaller, Lije knew that. But there was knowing and then there was... knowing. He had taken to staying at work until the cleaning staff arrived, at which point he would force himself out the door and onto the last train home.

It was full, of course; they all were. The city lived in shifts, which had never bothered him before. He always got a seat, and could eat in the privacy of his own home. What luxuries.

As he stepped out, the city closed around him. A comfort, before. Now?

Empty for the lack of him.