Superhero

Chapter 8

The welcome tune blared when someone stumbled in. Addison immediately put her phone down and looked up at the customer. She gasped slightly when she saw a hooded figure dressed in all black, head bent low, step into the shop.
The guy unsteadily reached for the chair by the window and sat with a grunt, panting. It was as if he had been running a marathon, coming in drained. He had his back to Addison and crossed his arms on the table before resting his head on them. It seemed like he just conked out as soon as he came in.
Addison had no idea what to do and just sat down on her stool again, watching the stranger that just walked in. It was common for people to come in and have a seat there while waiting for someone, but this was the first time she ever saw someone sleeping as soon as they entered the shop.
She kept a high alert, keeping an eye on the unknown man whenever she could. To make matters worse, there wasn't even a customer that came by. And to make matters even worse, Fiolina didn't drop in earlier like she usually did.
An hour passes, and still no response from the strange man. Addison grew impatient. Her shift still had an hour left and yet, no one came. Why did Fiolina choose today of all days to come just in time and not an hour earlier like she usually does? Addison grew frustrated and hoped that at least a customer would walk in. At least she wouldn't be alone.
Besides, this guy also worried her. What if he was hurt? What if he needed help? As much as Addison wanted to stay away from him, she slowly went towards him to see if he was okay. She gulped and reached out a hand to tap his shoulder and wake him.
She nearly jumped out of her skin when the guy flinched. She quickly backed away from him when he lifted his head and groaned, his face still concealed by the hood. She noticed that he wore black fingerless gloves on both hands.
"I-I'm sorry, but are... are you okay?" Addison asked, her voice shaky.
The man simply nodded, a hand reaching into his hood, evidently gripping onto his head in pain. Addison quickly slipped behind the counter and watched, glad that the counter acted as a barrier between them.
She reached for her phone and dialled 999 just in case, but didn't hit the call button. She watched as the strange man dragged himself out of the chair towards the instant food section. Addison leaned over the counter and peeked, watching his every move.
He seemed unfazed and opened the freezer to take out instant spaghetti with carbonara sauce. He popped that into the microwave and then went to the dessert section. He grabbed some moist chocolate cake and took it to the microwave too. Addison watched, puzzled.
He left the cake near the microwave and went to the SlurpSlurp machine. He looked over his shoulder for a second, not turning much so Addison couldn't get a peek at his face, and took a plastic cup. He definitely noticed her staring at him, but didn't seem to care.
Addison immediately started texting Fiolina.
Add: Where you at?
Fio: Almost done
Fio: Don't worry I'll be there in time
Fio: I won't make ya wait
Fio: Promise!
Add: It's not that
Add: There's a strange guy in the shop
Add: And there's no one here but him
Add: No customer
Add: Help me...
Fio: Girl stay calm
Fio: If he tries to provoke ya
Fio: Call the cops immediately
Fio: Do u hear me?
Add: No
Add: I can only read messages
Add: Not hear
Fio:🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️
Fio: Fine whatever
Addison smirked at her phone and looked up. She almost fell into the shelf of cigarettes when she saw the man leaning over the counter, his head still down. He still looked somewhat tired, considering he still supported his weight against the counter. A cup of blue cotton candy flavoured SlurpSlurp, instant spaghetti, and hot moist cake sat on the counter between them. Addison sighed in relief and grabbed the scanner to scan the barcode.
"Fif- Fifteen dollars and fifty cents," Addison stuttered. "Wo-Would you like a plastic bag?"
Addison gulped, watching the guy shift his legs slightly. He shook his head, not looking up at her for even a second. The money was already on the counter, so she just silently took it and put it into the cash register. She tore off the receipt and handed it to him. He instantly crumpled it and stuffed it into his sweater pocket, going back to the table by the window.
Addison sat on the stool and put her arms on the counter, watching as he opened the instant spaghetti and started eating it with a plastic fork. The shop was silent, save for the sound of the man chewing softly and the steady hum of refrigerators and food warmers. Addison felt her mouth going dry and fumbled for the bottle of yogurt she bought earlier. She took a long swig, not taking her eyes off the mysterious customer. What made it even scarier was the fact that Addison never once took a look at his face.
Addison grabbed her phone again and begged Fiolina to come in as soon as she can. The other girl was evidently growing worried for Addison's safety too.
'Why oh why did I take the evening shift?!' Addison thought to herself. 'Then again, this shift isn't so bad, considering Fiolina who worked till past midnight. Why didn't Jeff take the night shift? Why me?!'
Addison purposely stepped out from behind the counter and went towards the coffee shelf next to the table. She acted as if she was arranging the things and discreetly turned to look at his face. To her surprise, he was now facing the other way, holding the tray of spaghetti under his chin as he ate. Addison silently groaned and moved towards the microwave instead, to seem like she was checking everything. She went back to the counter and sat with a frown. Then she got an idea. She knew that it might not work, but it was worth a shot.
She opened the CCTV footages on the computer and enlarged the video on the corner near the glass door. That camera gave a clear view of whoever entering the shop.
And whoever that was sitting at the table.
She looked at it and saw a blurred image of the man eating his chocolate cake at the table. She zoomed in, but all she saw was a blur. Addison groaned in defeat but quickly turned it into a cough when she noticed the man looking over his shoulder slightly. She took a drink and watched the man drink his SlurpSlurp while eating his cake.
She looked at the computer for a front view and noticed something. There was something white protruding out from under his hood.
A mask.
This made her panic even more. She grabbed her phone and quickly texted Fiolina.
Add: Fioooooooo
Fio: What
Fio: He still there?
Add: Yess
Add: AND HES WEARING A MASK!
She took a picture of the computer screen, zoomed in on the strange guy, and sent it to Fiolina.
Fio: I'm almost there
Fio: Just around the corner
Add: Okay...
She looked up at the man and saw him get up and head over towards the rubbish bin. He threw the instant spaghetti and moist cake container into it, still drinking his SlurpSlurp. He slowly came towards the counter, his head still bent low, and sipped his SlurpSlurp, with one hand stuffed into his hoodie pocket. He looked at the shelf below the counter as if contemplating on what to take, and put a pack of peppermint chewing gum on the counter. Addison immediately scanned it and pasted the paid sticker on it. He paid for it and collected his receipt before leaning against the counter opposite from the cash register, still drinking his SlurpSlurp with his head bent low.
He finally finished it and threw it away into the bin near the door. Addison prayed that Fiolina would come in now, but her around the corner seemed to be miles away.
The man adjusted his hood to cover his face a little more and reached for his pocket. Addison gulped, expecting him to pull out a knife or a gun. But instead, he pulled out the pack of gum he just bought. He opened the pack and popped one of it. He was about to pop it into his mouth when loud footsteps thundered outside. Addison turned to see Fiolina's auburn locks falling over her face slightly as she stomped towards the shop. Addison turned towards the man, just in time to see his palms glowing. They grew brighter and brighter, and eventually covered his entire frame, blinding Addison. The light vanished, and so did the man.
Fiolina stormed into the shop and looked around, before landing her gaze on Addison.