Masked Roses

Chapter One

Sitting in the office, I signed some recent paperwork and documented current stocks, putting in orders of what we needed more of since the amount we had to restock those few supplies was slim to none. Specifically cigarettes for the one person who was desperate to replenish their nicotine addiction or fulfill their kick for the putrid killers. I could hear the young boy who was working with me for the morning on that Wednesday morning. The faint sound of rain hitting the roof of the shop as it poured. Apparently there was a chance of snow because of the temperatures supposedly going to drop below freezing in the evening.

And I also had to work in the evening. Groaning, I laid my head on the desk, checking the time to see only five hours had passed since six in the morning when our shifts started. My strawberry blonde hair was tied back in a loose and short ponytail to keep it out of the way for the most part. Standing up from the desk, I heard a small argument in the main portion of the store and decided to see what was wrong. Peeking out through the door, I saw the young high school kid holding his hands up in surrender as he looked terrified out of his mind.

An aggressive woman stood there with her child, the young toddler's hand in her hand as she shook a fist at the kid working the register. Glancing at the bat next to the door, I contemplated bringing it out in case I needed to knock her unconscious, but I decided against it. It was only for physically violent intruders or customers disturbing the peace, or even the ones deciding to cause a ruckus. I only trusted my skills in self defense that I had learned when I was a freshman in high school.

Stepping out into the main part of the store, I spoke up in a stern tone. "Hey, ma'am? Is something wrong?"

She stopped looking at the kid and turned to me, a scowl on her makeup caked face. "Yes, there's something wrong. Are you the manager or another petty employee left alone without the manager?" She sounded snotty and I let out a nervous chuckle.

"Y-Yes. I'm the manager. Is there something I can help you with?" I told her.

"Oh, good! I suppose you'll be able to answer this question then? Who was on shift last night in the evening?" She crossed her one free arm over her chest.

"I was the only one on shift last night. Why?"

"I was wondering if you had seen my husband with some random girl? He's been having an affair and I need to talk to him. He said he'd been going to this tiny convenience store and this was the only place that came to mind." She huffed, tapping her foot with impatience.

"I-I didn't need that many details, but alright...Was there any specific time he might've been here, ma'am?" I asked specifically.

"Around ten or eleven. He had simply said he went to some convenience store and proved that with cigarettes, so I'm wondering if you saw him with some woman while he might've been here. He was wearing some casual style clothes, like a hoodie or some dark outfit..." She trailed off, trying to think more specifically.

The only person that came to mind was that silent man that bought the medical supplies, I shrugged and shook my head. "I didn't see anyone besides one person matching that description. Just a man buying medical supplies like bandages and such, but not cigarettes. I'm sorry, but he must've gone to another store. Antony's Necessities is a small convenience store for alcohol and tobacco, he might've gone there." I smiled warmly and the woman sighed.

"I guess that gives me another place to think about. Come on, Izzy, let's go find that store." She turned and tugged on the toddler's hand and left the store in a huff, but not in a bad mood as she was when I first stepped out to see what was wrong. Looking over at the kid, he sighed in relief when she was a good distance away from the doors, flashing me a sheepish but grateful smile.

"T-Thanks, Serene. I was somewhat worried she was going to assault me..." He sat down on the stool, wiping away sweat that had collected on his brow.

I smiled and gave him a thumbs up. "Anytime, Ricky. Want a coffee? I've been contemplating going out to get some since I'm having a bit of trouble waking up." The boy nodded and I grinned, walking back to the office to grab my jacket and put away my lime green apron and name tag. Putting on the wooly sweater jacket, I snatched my keys off the hook by the office door and walked out and towards the doors. "Don't cause any trouble and call me if something comes up while I'm away, alright? A mocha with an extra shot, right?"

He nodded and I returned the gesture, walking out of the store and towards my car. The silver Volkswagen was a bit beat up, a few dents in the doors and some scratches on the paint, but it wasn't bothering me enough for me to get it fixed. It just was some minor damage that didn't damage the function of the car, only the appearance, and sometimes the appearance just didn't matter to me. Getting into the driver's side, I shut the door and stuffed the key into the ignition, turning it as the engine roared to life. I just hoped this evening wouldn't be too hectic as this morning or eerie as last night.