Each step felt heavy, not just from the weight of his body but from the weight of everything pressing down on his mind. The sound of passing cars seemed louder in the cold air, a stark contrast to the silence of his thoughts.
Halfway down the block, Jacob stopped at the corner under a streetlamp. He pulled out his phone, hesitating before opening the banking app. His chest tightened as the screen loaded, displaying a balance that mocked his efforts: $30.24.