Modernity Reject

Chapter 1

"Hey," Rey said from behind the counter. Rey is an old friend of mine. We've known each other since 5th grade.

"Hey, man. Anything happen yet?"

"No, thank god. I have no idea what I'd do if one of those anarchists came in here." Rey grimaced when he said 'anarchists.'

"Tell me about it. I've never had to shoot anyone and I really don't want to. I wish those guys would keep it to themselves," I said, looking outside the store for a brief moment.

Rey chuckles before turning around to get a pack of cigarettes. He then puts a pack of Marlboro on the counter - my favorite brand.

"I'm guessing you want another pack of these for the week?"

"Yeah. $27?"

"Yep." I placed a $50 bill on the counter.

"Uh," Rey pauses as soon as he sees it. "Listen, I get cigarrettes are heavily taxed-"

"Keep the change," I said before heading outside to the restroom.

It was a short walk to the restroom but it felt agonizing considering I've been holding in my urine for the whole day.

As soon as I open the restroom door, I get a whiff of a smell that's foreign to a gas station bathroom.

It smelt like clean laundry of all things. It brought me back to my childhood when my mom was still alive and my dad used to let us live with him. Of course, that all soured when they both died in a car accident. I was at home at the time and I was 15. Good times, eh?

I snapped back to reality when my bladder threatened to leak its contents in my pants and I quickly shut the door.

The scent remained for what felt like an eternity. I didn't want to leave.

I stared into the mirror intently. The smell mixed with the stress made me go on autopilot for what felt like hours.

The experience was relieving while it lasted but reality hit like a truck when I came to.

Begrudgingly, I tried to open the door.

It was locked.

Why was it locked?

I tried to open the door again to confirm if it was locked.

It wouldn't open.

I pulled on the door and it didn't budge.

I pulled harder.

And harder.