The end of the holidays and the new year, when all were returning to work made Diligence work even harder than during the holidays itself.
It wasn't that he didn't believe in a break - after all, he did reserve the time to observe the Lord's own Holy Day on Sunday - but it was the dangers of his opposite lurking in every corner, especially when it came close to go back to work.
The office that he had established himself at was only a few minutes away from Chinatown, where he would pass-by everyday to reach his apartment on the other side. It was an every day routine, but today, when he crossed the asphalt into the beginnings of the Asian community, he didn't stride ahead with confidence or in a steady pace.
Instead, he stopped.
The action itself made him slightly light-headed, but it was nothing compared to the realization that almost made him go against his very nature and walk the other way.