by Unkle Bonehead
AI Generated Image.
Maya walked home from school on a crisp autumn afternoon, her backpack slung over her shoulder and her favorite hoodie pulled up against the chill. She was a 17-year-old Jewish girl living in Berlin, Germany, the city she loved for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and eclectic mix of cultures. Her family was a typical German-Jewish one, with her parents, Rachel and David, owning a small bakery on the outskirts of the city. Maya had two younger siblings, a brother named Asher and a sister named Ava, who were both in elementary school.
Maya’s family was part of a close-knit community, with many other Jewish families and friends who shared similar values and traditions. They attended synagogue on Shabbat and celebrated Jewish holidays with gusto. Maya’s mom was a talented baker who specialized in traditional German-Jewish pastries, while her dad was a history buff who loved to teach Maya and her siblings about their heritage.
Maya’s style was a fusion of punk and preppy, reflecting her love for music, art, and rebellion. She had short, spiky black hair and piercing green eyes, and was often seen wearing black jeans, band tees, and Converse shoes. She listened to a mix of indie rock, punk, and electronic music, with her favorite bands being The Clash, Arctic Monkeys, and Daft Punk.
As she walked into the bakery, the aroma of freshly baked bagels and challah enveloped her, making her stomach growl with hunger. Her mom, Rachel, greeted her with a warm smile and a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, Schatz, how was your day?”
Maya smiled, feeling a sense of comfort and normalcy in her family’s warm and welcoming home. “It was okay, Mom. Just got out of class, and I’m starving.”
Her dad, David, chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. I think I have some fresh apple strudel waiting for you in the kitchen.”
As Maya took a seat at the kitchen table, she noticed a strange, older man sitting in the corner, sipping a cup of coffee. He was dressed in a long, black coat and a wide-brimmed hat, and seemed out of place in the cozy bakery. Maya’s instincts told her that something was off about this stranger, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Suddenly, the man stood up and approached the table, his eyes locked onto Maya. “Maya, I’ve been looking for you,” he said in a low, gravelly voice. “My name is The Architect, and I’ve been watching you online. I think you have skills that could be useful to me.”
Maya felt a shiver run down her spine as The Architect’s words sent a mix of excitement and fear through her. What did he want from her? And how did he know so much about her online activities?
As The Architect began to explain his proposal, Maya’s mind was racing with questions. But one thing was certain: her life was about to change in ways she never could have imagined.