Beyond the Ivy Covered Door

I pushed through the crowd, trying to walk faster, but it seemed impossible. I sighed, pulling my hood over my head, trying to keep dry from the newly-started rain. At this pace, I had an hour to go till I got home. And with all the homework I got, I would have much sleep either. To put it in four words: I hate it here.
Pressing agains the damp wall of a city block, I squeezed ahead of a few people. Suddenly, right ahead of me, I saw another alley, with less people. Immediately I stepped in and moved away from the crowded main street. My only intention right then was to get some oxygen. The farther I went, the less people here were, until there so little of them I could run through them.
Time to find a way home, I thought, looking around. I saw a newspaper shop and stepped in to ask for directions. I passed the stacks of newspapers, vaguely reading the titles.
Karmen's Big Hit
Rose Declares Bankrupcy
Another Man Lost to the Middle of the City
I frowned and picked that one up, quickly scanning the article. There was a picture of a kind-looking man with brown hair and blue eyes.
Ronger Jones disappeared yesterday, leaving police clueless. Last seen at work by Jackie Dear, he apparently took "the shortcut" home. Like the past victims of this mystery, he is suspected to have wandered into the middle of Seatem
" Another one, huh?"
I looked up from reading the article, startled. The old man that was running the place looked over my shoulder at the newspaper.
" They never learn!" he said, like he took it personally.
" What is this 'mystery'?" I asked.
" New around here, huh? What's your name, young man?" the shopkeeper asked.
" Leo Grachelar," I answered.
" Well, Leo, let's just say you have alot to learn."
I nodded slowly, then said my goodbyes and left the shop.