The snowy peak today covered the sun, making the rays behind it look majestic. While it may make for a beautiful wallpaper, it wasn't the case for the villagers.
The sun caused the snow to melt rapidly, plunging temperatures into the sub-zero range, turning the kids' work in the flower fields into self-inflicted torture.
Saïd stood in the middle, looking at his bluish, cold fingers. Despite the artificial skin, he couldn't warm them and hadn't collected enough flowers. It was an unavoidable pain.
A sound caught Saïd's attention from behind - the rare hum of a gas car. He knew who was fearless enough to drive one despite the authorities: "The Jinn".
He was a real Jinn, visible only early in the morning or late at night. His daylight visits were rare, given the authorities' pursuit. But generally, he was safe; the corrupt state was too lazy and underfunded to come all the way up here.
The older kids noticed him and all ran towards his car, abandoning their flowers. The younger ones weren't allowed to interact with him; they could only watch and listen. Soon, his car was surrounded by an eager tide, prompting him to step out.
Despite no immediate threat, Jinn kept most of his face concealed with blue glasses and a black Pikachu hat turned backward, his long, dirty hair flowing down the sides.
He rushed to the car's trunk, pushed the kids nearby, and declared, "No work today, guys! Want to see something you'll never see in your life?"
The crowd's silence was a yes for him. He opened the trunk, and everyone was shocked.
BILLS! A LOT OF THEM!
The older kids slowly approached. He slammed a pile into their faces, urged them to the front, and threw more at them, sparking a scramble. He then invited the younger ones to take from the remaining bills.
Despite being a criminal, he was a gentle one.
But for Saïd, manners were irrelevant; his priority was grabbing enough cash to escape his torture for a couple of days.
The kids seemed more composed compared to the teenagers, who were already fighting. Jinn laughed, enjoying the chaos he'd incited.
As Saïd's group walked back towards the village, Jinn's car passed them by; he'd probably grown bored of the spectacle.
Regardless, Saïd's fingers would remain warm for now, and the tourists wouldn't have their egos fed today.