"The Traveler Beneath the Road"
Once upon a breath of wind and sickness, a traveler wandered into a strange land. Weary from his journey, the traveler stumbled upon a grand mansion shimmering under the golden sun. Laughter echoed through the walls, where children played and the air danced with joy. It looked like heaven. He stood at its gate, eyes wide with longing. But something was wrong. Within the mansion’s gardens, behind bright flowers and marble paths, ran a black, choking nullah —a river of rot and discarded things. No one else seemed to notice. The traveler stepped closer, heart uneasy. Then, without warning, a boy with fire in his eyes and his father with steel in his hands dragged the traveler into the filth. They tore away his cloak, stripping him of all dignity. The garbage clung to him like a second skin. Ants and insects swarmed him, feeding on his silence. He wanted to scream, but the pain had stolen his voice. The father raised two knives—one in each hand. "Choose," he hissed, his...