1:30 PM, Erbil City, Salah al-Din Street.
The heat enveloped the entire city.
Amir Kadri sat in his taxi driver's seat, the windows fully rolled down, but there was almost no breeze.
Sweat soaked his cheap shirt, forming dark stains on his back and underarms.
The radio was broadcasting an afternoon music program, a female singer's husky voice singing old breakup songs, mixed with static hissing.
He stared at the meter, having waited for an hour with no passengers.
This was always how afternoon business was.
People were either in offices with air conditioning or napping at home.
Only those who couldn't afford parking fees, like him, would endure the scorching sun.
His phone vibrated.
It was his younger brother, who worked at a car repair shop in the north of the city.
"Amir, have you heard?"
His brother's voice was low, as if speaking a secret.
"Heard what?"
