An Empress in loose white jeans and fresh sneakers stands waiting for the bus, unaware of the snail resting directly between her feet. Distracted, she shifts her weight — and her sneaker comes down squarely over it, crushing it completely beneath a single, effortless step. She glances down briefly after the impact, expression unreadable, then steps forward as if nothing happened, continuing her conversation with a friend. One last passing look at the ground — no pause, no concern — before she walks toward the bus. Behind her, nothing remains but a faint mark on the pavement.