magisternihil's 100-word story for December 15, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on December 15, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

In those moments in the early morning, when the area isn’t flooded with the cacophony of shouts punctuating the ball striking palm or rim, asphalt or backboard, Walter likes to come, stand in the middle of the court, and listen to the sounds of a waking city. It’s a sound unlike any other, filled with the metallic grind of opening security grilles, the piercing beep of reversing trucks, the low hum of cars beginning to wind their way along the labyrinthine streets, all echoing off the buildings. “Good morning, everyone,” he says quietly, and the city begins unfurl in answer.

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