Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 9: Lost a Job, Gained a Possible Home?

CW: Karen (brief and at the beginning), mental breakdown, also this chapter feels all over the place so I'm sorry about that

"Ma'am, we cannot use those coupons, they have expired," Virgil told the woman again for what felt like the thousandth time.

"Well I should still get a discount for this! This is ridiculous!" the woman argued, making Virgil feel like part of his soul died.

"Oh my Lucifer," Roman groaned. "Just move on lady!"

"Virgil!" A coworker of his called, making the teen groan internally on the inside. The coworker came over and told him, "John wants to see you, I'll take over here."

"Oh thank goodness," Virgil mumbled. "Thank you." He quickly left the checkout counter, making his way to the manager's office.

"How can people talk to you like that?" Roman asked with a slight growl. "You are clearly trying to help them! And you've been nothing but nice and patient! You clearly hate being nice and patient!"

"Tell me about it," Virgil mumbled, reaching his manager's door. He knocked before opening the door. Looking in, he saw the manager, John, looking at some paper on his desk.

"Oh, Virgil, come in," he said, though not in his usual cheery voice. "Close the door behind you."

"You wanted to see me sir?" Virgil asked, moving into the room and closing the door. He felt some anxiety building up, did he do something wrong?

"Well... I don't have good news..." John sighed, sitting down in his chair. "And I'm sorry to be doing this so close to the end of your shift but... We haven't been making enough money as of late so we're going to have to cut you off."

Virgil tensed up, hoping he had heard him wrong. "Wh-what do you mean?" He rubbed his arm, his shoulders raising from the tension.

"I'm sorry, but you're going to have to turn in your uniform and keys to the building. We'll send you your last paycheck as usual. I'm sorry about this Virgil, I hope you understand."

Virgil nodded, biting his tongue to keep the tears back. "Right. I'll uh... I'll just go hang up this apron."

He turned and left the room, hearing John sigh behind him. Roman growled before following, about to put his hand on Virgil before stopping himself.

"You don't need this job anyway," he tried to comfort. "The people here aren't treated well, and the pay is horrible compared to how much things cost today." Virgil didn't reply as he just untied the knot on his apron, heading to the back. Roman frowned, hating the silence coming from him. "A-and you don't need to worry about money, I'll help you!"

Virgil closed the door to the back, still biting his tongue. He struggled to keep himself from wiping away the tears forming in his eyes, knowing it would mess up his makeup and make it more obvious that he was crying.

"You know I won't let anything bad happen to you-" Roman tried to continue, but Virgil finally cut him off.

"Well something bad just happened! I just got fired! Sure you can magically give me money, but that would tip off authorities and they would question where that money came from if I had no real job!" He wiped away a tear that fell down his cheek. "Plus I thought- I-I thought that maybe if any parents came to the orphanage looking for an older kid, and they saw I was hard working, it would further my chances of getting adopted! I just want a home! I never asked for a demon!"

Roman looked down in guilt. "Well... neither of us can change that."

Virgil took off his apron, grabbing his jacket before throwing the apron on the hook. He quickly wrapped the dark piece of clothing around himself, trying to feel some sense of comfort from the familiar hoodie.