Dark Thorns (A Deltarune fanfic)

Shadow

"Thank you for your purchase. Have a great day!"
  "Thanks Pink. See ya!"
Pink Addison waved to the customer leaving his store. It's been a pretty slow day so far. Only 4 residents have come by. Pink stepped away from the counter to go organize some boxes in the back. It was difficult to manage a store that offered multiple things. Tea, jewelry, shoes, heck on weekends, he manages a booth at the nearby carnival.
  Work was work though and it kept him busy. He liked it like that. As he was rummaging around a box to see if there was a new box of shoes to display, a box got knocked over.
  "Ah shoot." Pink quickly bent down, hoping that it wasn't anything fragile.
  Pink's expression then turned glum. The box contained an old white scarf. As he held it in his hand, a faint memory came up.

  "You know you didn't have to."
"I know, but I wanted to get you something since I've finally been making sales."
"Heh. Alright then."
...
"Oh a scarf?"
"I thought it'd be nice since I know you've been working at that carnival stall for long hours. And it's getting close to winter and I thought maybe you'd be cold so- ah"
"You really are sweet."
"H-hehe not as sweet as your hugs. That's for sure."

...
Pink sighed as he put the scarf back in the box. It was still soft. Just like the first day he got it.
  Just like when he got it for him.
Pink shook his head. No use thinking about that right now. It's all in the past. He needs to focus on now. Even so, as he walked out of the storage room, his hand briefly went to his pocket to feel a small item.
Still there...
 
  Pink came out of his thoughts when he heard the door to the shop open. He walked over to the counter and greeted the customer with the signature Addison smile.
  "Hello. What would you like today? Tea? Or perhaps some shoes? I believe these flats would look just lovely on you."
  The virovirokun deadpanned.
  "Tea, please."
  "Of course."
The shopkeeper stepped away to pour some tea for the darkner.
  "Hey, be careful when leaving today."
"Hm? Why? Something wrong?"
The virovirokun went over to the shop window.
"I noticed some shady looking fellas lurking around. They don't look like they're from around here."
Pink got serious.
"How shady are we talking about?"
"Like Dark Web shady."
The virovirokun came back to the counter to grab the cup of tea. Pink was noticeably disturbed.
"Are you sure?"
"I know cybercriminals. And those guys definitely looked like they were from the Dark Web."
"Shit." Pink put his hand to his head.
"We should be fine. They're never here for long. Just stay safe. I recommend closing up early to go home."
  "Yeah. I think I will. I'll call the others to give them a heads up."
The Virovirokun nodded as it walked towards the door. "Good idea. Be safe, okay?"
"Yeah. You too."
The door closed as the small virus darkner left.
Pink took a deep breath. Dark Web people were bad news. Pink looked up at the clock. It was barely 2 pm. He normally closes up shop at 7 pm, but in this case he'll close at 5:30. Before he can forget, Pink took out his phone and began calling up the other Addisons.
Hopefully this turns out to be just nothing.

—

Time felt like it was moving too slow. It was probably due to how nervous Pink felt. He looked back at the clock after probably a thousand times. 5:22.
Screw it.
He decided that it should be fine to start closing now. No other customers had come in since that Virovirokun came to warn him. Perhaps everyone else in the city was nervous too. The other Addisons agreed to close up their shops early. They also all agreed to call each other once they got home.
  Pink began locking up the jewelry cases and grabbed some boxes of shoes to move to the storage room.
  Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening startled Pink. He quickly turned around to walk back to the front.
  "Ah. I'm so sorry. We're actually closing early. If you want, come by tomorrow at 10 and then I'll be able to..."
He felt as if his heart dropped to the floor.
  At the front were four darkners. Definitely not from around the area. All were covered by long, dark brown trench coats and each wore fedora hats. It would have been comical to look at if you were to forget that these guys were the cyber criminals from the Dark Web the Virovirokun talked about. At least that's what Pink believed. You couldn't even see their faces.
  "Forgive us. We were certain that this shop would be open a while longer."
Pink could barely speak.
"O-Oh. It's no trouble. I usually have the shop open till later, but unfortunately I have to close early today. I have a meeting."
Pink didn't know what else to say. He just knew he had to get them out of here quickly.
"I see."
One of them approached the counter.
"Don't worry. This shouldn't take too long."