Looking back on his previous life, as he called it, one of the biggest changes he’d noticed was his walk. There was a measure of confidence in his step now. He wasn’t prideful, nor was he timid. He knew where he was headed and he stared his destination straight in the face. People around him could tell, they almost subconsciously moved out of his way, let him through. Again, this wasn’t some kind of power move on his part, simply a natural reaction. People moved out of the way of something they weren’t  sure they could stop.

The promenade was always busy this time of the evening. He loved it. Families, businessmen, university students, the odd couple enjoying the river view, always at least one person wearing red. It was an artery moved by the heartbeat of the city. He added a small hop-step to his walk, keeping time to this beat, this rhythm.

Toby deserved this. It was sheer, dumb luck that put him in the position he was in. Toby simply did what any rational person would. They were a fad, those computer coins. How could anyone have anticipated the sudden, dramatic, completely insane upswing. Toby certainly hadn’t. He hadn’t either.
He had forgotten about them.

Until he booted up his old laptop and, by consequence, his new life.

Two financial advisors, a lawyer, five houses later, a one comfortable pair of slacks later, he had a new walk.

He glanced over at a waiter at a restaurant nearby. Sunken eyes and thinning hair, he looked all too familiar. You’ll get yours one day, my friend. Just hold out a little longer.

He chuckled, looked down, and chuckled again. What do you know.

He was wearing red.