Chapter Text
It was late in the night, I could see the fluorescent lights above me flicker as I strolled through the aisles filled with snacks.
I looked through the options in front of me, my fingers tapping against my jeans to the beat of the music blasting through my headphones. I decided on two bags of chips and a cookie then moved on to the tall brightly lit fridges in the back. Going past the beer I opened one of the doors and picked out a large bottle of water.
When I approach the counter to pay I don’t see anyone at the cash register. I pull my headphones off my ears and look around curiously.
It was pretty late and no one else was in the store with me. The thought crossed my mind to just leave; it would save me some money for lunch Monday. I huff setting my items on the counter. I couldn’t do that. Digging through the pockets in my jacket and jeans I search for all the money on me.
As I do so I hear a gentle tune play out followed by the woosh of automatic doors opening. I turned to look instinctively and saw a man much taller than me, I couldn’t get a good look at his face since his hood up.
“Sorry for the wait,” My head turned back to the counter to see the cashier was back. He was frantically pressing buttons on the screen, scanning my items. “Apparently I’m the only one that decided to show up tonight.” He let out a forced laugh and I smiled politely.
“It’s fine.”
From the back of the store, I can hear one of the fridge doors being closed loudly. The cashier looked up for a moment but just shook his head as he scanned and bagged my items.
“That’ll be 7.75.”
I looked at the money in my hand, “Crap,” I muttered and looked up to him with a laugh. “I only have a five.” Looking through the prices on the small screen facing me I figure out which to take out. As my hand reaches for the chips a loud bang makes me jump.
Next to my items on the counter was now a large pack of beer, just slammed down with no warning. I narrow my eyes at the pack and turn to the culprit. It’s the man from before.
“I’ll pay for it, just put this on there too..”
He cleared his throat and stuffed his hands into the pocket of his hoodie. I continued to stare a bit taken aback.
“Really?” I asked.
I heard the beep of the scanner and the man turned to me with a nod, “Yeah, you can grab something else if you want.” He had dark circles under his eyes and I could see burn scars peeking up from his neck.
I quickly turned back, frantically scanning through the small candies on display. I eventually grabbed a pack of gum and handed it to the cashier, he scanned it and put it in my bag. The strange man also grabbed a lighter and asked for a pack of cigarettes.
“Thank you..” I muttered, shifting my weight.
He pulled a wad of wrinkled money from his jeans pocket and counted out the amount needed, “Mhm.” He handed the money to the man and received his change.
Quickly, the man pocketed his items and picked up the case of beer. Before the cashier could say goodnight he was already out the door.
“Weird,” The cashier laughed light-heartedly and turned my way. “Be careful out there.”
I nodded with a small smile. “Goodnight.”
Walking back out into the sickly humid air, I took a glance around. The streets were practically empty. I looked at my phone and saw it was two am.
Good. They should be asleep by now.
I put on my headphones and walk across the street, going home.