Masked Roses

Chapter Two

Sitting at the counter, I tapped my finger against the counter as I watched the clock on my wrist, the sound of the clock across the room in the store seeming louder than it actually was. Tick...Tock...Tick...The sounds of the second hand clicking as it spun in its slow circle. Why did it sound so much louder? As if taunting me? A loud ring broke my thoughts and I looked over to my right to see my phone buzzing with an alarm.

Take Antipsychotics. 7:30 PM.

"Oh..." That's why. I dismissed the alarm and ran a hand over my face as I then grabbed the orange bottle of little pills from my bag that was sitting down on the floor behind the counter. Taking out two of the little capsules, I grabbed my unfinished coffee that was now cold, taking the medication without a problem. I almost choked on one of the pills when I sat down the cup, hacking and coughing as it was then dislodged from its stuck position in my throat. Smacking a fist against my chest, I sighed and sat up straight suddenly as I tossed the bottle of medicine into my bag and looked towards the doors that opened.

I saw a familiar hooded figure, his head tipped down towards the floor as he grabbed a basket with his gloved hand and walked towards the medical supplies. "Good evening, sir." I said with a smile, but he just responded with a shrug instead of the previous grunt from yesterday. I looked at my phone and unlocked it with a swipe of my finger, looking through some messages I had received. Most were from that one kid working earlier, he was calling in sick for tomorrow, asking if I'd be alright on my own to cover his shift for Thursday and Friday if he was still sick by then.

I of course told him it was no problem and leaned back as I stared at the ceiling. I honestly needed the overtime and the extra cash, so I decided I'd ask the one other girl that worked here if she could cover my shift on Saturday, maybe. Closing my eyes, I was about to drift off somewhat until a thud on the counter in front of me made me jump and snap my head forward.

The man stood there with his basket of items sitting on the counter, his head tilted down towards the floor. I smiled nervously and scanned his items after setting my phone aside. There were more bandage rolls than anything else in his basket. At least ten rolls of bandages and some gauze pads along with some candy bars. I spared a longing glance at the pure dark cacao bar as I scanned it before stuffing it into one of the bags and scanning the other items. Smiling, I looked up at him. "That'll be twenty two dollars and sixty three cents, please."

He rummaged through his wallet at my statement, finding the necessary amount to the penny and placing it in my hand when I held my palm out. Before I could pull my hand back, he grabbed my wrist though, startling me and making me look up at him. I stared at the shadow covering his face as he held my wrist, staring at the coins and bills in my hand as if he were afraid he gave me the wrong amount. After a minute of him simply staring at my pale ivory palm, he let go and I pulled my hand away, putting the money back into the drawers as I put the coins and paper bills away.

Pushing his bags of items to him, I smiled despite my racing heart from his sudden grasp on my wrist. "Have a good evening. Stay warm." I said as I glanced outside to see small flakes of snow falling onto the sidewalk and street. I was sure there was going to be a nice layer of ice on the roads, making me sarcastically cheer in my mind for when I'd have to drive back home in the cold weather.

I realized that the man still hadn't left and I glanced back in front of me to see him staring at the items in the bag. I could feel his eyes on me even though he never once picked his head up. We stared at each other for a while before he then picked up his bags of items and walked out of the store, waving one gloved hand before stuffing it back in his pocket.

I was beginning to feel paranoid and nervous as he left, his visit from yesterday wasn't as off-putting as this one. I just hoped I wouldn't have this feeling following me when I got home when my shift ended.