Julian lost time. Hours vanished. He left his apartment at noon and woke up on a bench at sunset, hands stained with ink, pockets filled with gravel, and mouth dry from ash.
At work, he zoned out mid-order and poured boiling coffee on his hand. He didn't feel it. The customer screamed. Julian stared at the rising steam and smiled faintly.
Strangers whispered his name in passing. Old radios hissed static when he walked by. Stray dogs growled at his scent.