The Conductor

Chapter One- Cicile

July 25th, 1990

I walked alone in a wide, echoey storage room. My baby pink high heels went click clack against the cement floor. My blue jeans were tight against my legs, my lavender blouse loose and blowy on top of them. My necklace clacked against my name tag. I worked at giant music mall, and it was time to close up.

I did not like my job in the least. I had just about no friends. I never felt welcome, and I was shy.

I was looking for a much more exciting life, an adventurous one, with plot twists and curiosity at every turn.

Sadly, that was a life I could never even imagine having. I am eighteen, and I live in an apartment building with my Grandma, the only remnants of my biological family. Both of my parents were dead, and I had lived with my Grandma ever since I was eight. We lived right across from the back lot of the store, and I didn't have a car, so I walked to work every day, no matter how hot, cold, rainy, or snowy it was. I don't plan on getting married. I have no interest in getting tied down to the same man for the rest of my life. And besides, what's the point in getting married when you don't even have a mother to help you get ready on your wedding day, or a father to walk you down the aisle and lift your veil when you finally make the journey down there? Don't get me wrong, I love my Grandma with every ounce of passion I have, but I just wish I had my mom. I miss her a lot. Same with my dad.

I was picking up objects and boxes just to put them in less obvious places when I heard some rustling in the store just outside. It wasn't that big of a deal, so I just ignored it. But then the rustling sounded again, even louder.

I peeked outside, the door slowly creaking open. I opened the door to find a strange man, slowly walking around, waving something like a Conductor's Baton around in the air.

I stepped out of the room all of the way, and slowly walked out, making a questioning expression.

"I'm sorry sir, but the store is closed now." I called out. The mysterious man turned to face me. His ice cold eyes stared deep into my soul. It was awkward, staring back at that man. Staring deeply.

The man gave me an awkward look, tucked the Conductor's Baton in his jacket, and walked out of the door.

Once he left, I entered the storage room once more and continued shelving reeds, rosin, and valve grease (Oh my.). I had just finished when I heard a very strange noise, something that sounded like a combination of splitting wood and a deep, throaty growl. I turned around in surprise.

For what felt like the 100th time, I walked out of the storage room door slowly and quietly. Despite the noises I heard, I saw nothing. I walked out, shutting the door behind me. I walked to the front door of the store to lock it.

I was just about to turn my key when I heard the noise once again. I turned around in shock, but once again saw nothing. I turned my key, walked across the store and out of the employee exit, locked the door, and walked home.