Masked Roses

Prologue

It was nine forty-five by the time I was finished with stocking the shelves. Glancing at my watch, I noticed it was only two and a quarter more hours until my shift ended and I could close up the shop. It was just a small convenience store owned by my grandparents, but due to staffing shortages and not enough people looking for jobs, I was the only manager who worked both morning and evening shifts. Luckily this meant that I could slack off a bit more than usual, but I was passionate about making every customer's experience pleasant even if they only stopped by once a month or even once in their entire lifetime. I didn't want to ever leave a bad impression on people.

The sound of the doors sliding open broke my thoughts and I turned to see a broad man walk inside with his hood up and his hands stuffed into his pockets. I smiled and paused my glance at the shelf to make sure everything was in order. "Good evening, sir! Anything I can help you with?" I offered with a friendly smile.

He picked his head up only a tad, his features blocked off by a shadow covering his face casted by the hood. He made a sort of grunting noise before walking away and towards the medical stock of simple medicines and band-aids that we had. I shrugged slightly and walked to the register, not blaming his behavior. Some people have off days or prefer to not speak to anyone. Some just don't need help or don't want to admit the fact unless absolutely necessary. I never pushed though, I simply walked back and stood behind the counter as I took out my phone to check for any messages.

There was just one missed call, but it was an unknown number. Most likely it was some scammer trying to tell me false lies about the FBI coming after me and forcing me to pay some 'fine' or waver some warrant for my arrest. I kept an eye on the man as he observed the medical supplies we had stocked, soon removing one hand as he reached for a roll of bandages. I noticed his gloved hand and watched him snatch up three or four rolls of bandages, it was hard to tell how many he grabbed from the angle I was watching.

He looked at the rolls of bandages for a bit before he glanced at me, still keeping his head down. He spoke in a deep and guttural voice, almost as if demonic. "Do you happen to have a bag or basket I can carry these in?" I didn't question his tone of voice and I smiled cheerfully, nodding.

"Yep! Just by the door are some shopping baskets and I can bag up any items you need if you can't carry it all in your pockets or something." I responded and he nodded, setting the rolls down and walking back to the door to grab one of the lime green shopping baskets. He returned to the medical supplies and grabbed the rolls of bandages he put down, taking some gauze and small adhesive band-aids and tossing them in the basket as well. He grabbed some aspirin and tylenol as well, making me assume he might've had a headache or a low supply of headache suppressing meds. I didn't question the rest of the things he brought up to the counter, setting the basket down and waiting for me to scan each item.

It didn't take me long to scan each item and tell him his total, a warm smile on my face. "That'll be thirty dollars and twenty nine cents, please." He grunted a response and reached into his pocket, taking out a black leather wallet that he opened and sifted through before handing me three ten dollar bills and two quarters. I didn't mind the extra change as it allowed me to rack my brain a bit and give it some thought to do the math to give him his correct change instead of the computer telling me every time.

Handing him a quarter back and four pennies, I chuckled. "Twenty nine cents is your change. Have a good day!" I wished him well and set his bags of items on the counter, watching as he took them with his head still down as he then left the store. I sighed as I slumped forward, going over his features in my mind now that he was gone.

A black hoodie zipped all the way up, dark gray jeans, and muddy black sneakers that were tied into a bit of a messy bow. He also had gloved hands and I only caught a glimpse of deep brown hair poking out from his hood that he had hid under the hood once more when he tugged on its sides. I guessed he was a bit self-conscious, so I didn't blame him for the slightly spooky appearance. A sudden ring of the store phone startled me and I grabbed it, answering in a sing-song voice.

"Good evening! This is the Evergreen Convenience store, how may I, Serene Evergreen, help you tonight?" I responded and a raspy chuckle made me falter.

"Always so cheerful. No wonder the few regulars we have are always there on your shift." A gruff chuckle hit my ears and I laughed with them.

"Hey, pops. How are you doing?" I asked.

"Oh I'm just fine. Doctors were saying I was about to be let off the hook with my prescriptions by the end of the week. Want to guess how many I have this time?" He let out a quiet laugh and I hummed in thought.

"Well, I don't know...Three? Was it three last time?" I wondered aloud.

"It was three last time, but this time I only need one. To prevent those pesky seizures. They say my depression medication isn't necessary anymore due to my lack of taking them every other day and...oh what was that other one..." He grumbled and I laughed, unsure of what the last one was as well.

My grandfather had been in the hospital for about three weeks due to a seizure that made him collapse during a shift at the store, which luckily a customer called since I was out at that time to get something for us to eat. I was grateful to that one customer and they said it was no problem. I just wished there were more people like them in this world. Rubbing my face gently, I shrugged although I knew he couldn't see. "I'm not too sure either, pops, but that's great news! I can't wait to see you this weekend then."

"I can't wait to see your cheery face as well, Serene. I've been hearing good things about you from the regulars I keep in touch with. Keep up the good work and take care." He wished me a good evening and I said my goodbyes before hanging up the phone, sighing as I fell back onto the stool seated behind me. I couldn't wait to see my only living relatives once again.