Finn had been restocking shelves with the same mechanical precision he'd applied for years. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow over the convenience store aisle, illuminating rows upon rows of brightly colored packages. Finn's movements were methodical as he reached for bags of chips and cans of soda, his mind drifting to a place far removed from the monotony of his daily routine.
As he straightened a row of candy bars, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the polished surface of the aisle mirror. The face that stared back at him seemed worn and tired, the lines etched deep into his skin a testament to the weight of his burdens. He forced a weary smile, the expression feeling foreign and hollow on his lips.
Just then, the jingle of the store's entrance bell interrupted his reverie, and Finn looked up to see the older man shuffling down the aisle. The man's eyes darted from shelf to shelf, a look of frustration etched upon his features as he searched for something that seemed forever out of reach. Finn watched him with a mixture of sympathy and resignation, knowing all too well the feeling of being lost in the vast expanse of choices that life presented.
"Sir, I'm closing up shop." Finn calls out, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.
He watches the man who has been trying to find a bag of chips for the past thirty minutes. He was an older man, late forties, obviously does not do much but lay around watching TV and eating junk.
"Whatever,' said the man and he angrily walked up to the counter. With a sense of resignation, he placed a case of beer upon the worn surface, the clinking of bottles breaking the silence that hung heavy in the air., "Just this then."
"Okay-," Finn tried to speak, "that will be $19.49" He watched as the man begrudgingly handed over the money, his movements heavy with the weight of unspoken burdens.
As the man left, Finn let out a weary sigh, the weight of the day settling upon his shoulders like an oppressive mantle. He rose from his seat behind the counter, his movements slow and deliberate as he made his way to the door. The dim light filtering in from outside cast long shadows across the empty aisles, a silent reminder of the solitude that enveloped him like a cloak.
Finn locked the door behind him, the click of the bolt echoing in the stillness of the night. The cold night air enveloped him, he couldn't help but have an eerie feeling.
The streets were quiet as Finn made his way home, the only sounds were the soft shuffle of his footsteps against the pavement and the distant hum of the city beyond. How did it come to this? The night sky slowly fading to a dark blue lightly illuminates the streets as the street lights turn on. He walked with his head bowed, lost in thought, his mind a whirlwind of doubts. The weight of the day hung heavy upon him, each step a struggle against the invisible chains that bound him to his mundane existence. Every day feels like I'm sinking deeper? Is this all there is?
As he passed by the familiar landmarks of his daily routine, Finn couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness gnawing at his insides. The bright lights of the corner store flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows upon the deserted sidewalk. That same store, every night. Will they ever fix that damn light? I hate it. He glanced up at the windows of the apartments above, their curtains drawn tight against the prying eyes of the outside world. Do they feel it too? Or am I the only one drowning in this monotony?
With each passing block, Finn felt the weight of his loneliness pressing down upon him, a suffocating presence that threatened to consume him whole, as if someone was watching him. He walked with his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his coat, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. I can't keep doing this. Something has to change, it's been 3 years now.
The night air was cool against his skin, a welcome reprieve from the stifling confines of the store. He paused for a moment, taking in the stillness of the night, the faint scent of rain lingering in the air. Breathe, just breathe. Maybe tomorrow will be different. In the distance, he could hear the faint strains of music drifting from a nearby bar, a reminder of the life he had left behind. Music, laughter, people... I used to be apart of that world.
————-
Four years ago,
The bar was a whirlwind of energy, with music pulsing through the air and colorful lights casting a vibrant glow over the crowd. Finn was in the thick of it, his body moving to the rhythm, feeling the beat resonate in his chest. The camaraderie of his friends, their laughter and shouts blending with the music, made him feel alive and invincible. Every moment was a celebration, a stark contrast to the mundanity he would come to know.
Finn leaned against the bar, a wide grin on his face as he clinked glasses with a group of strangers who felt like instant friends. The cold drink in his hand was a refreshing counter to the heat of the dance floor. The air was thick with the mingled scents of sweat, alcohol, and perfume, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that buzzed with excitement. Conversations were loud and animated, each one adding to the symphony of nightlife that enveloped him.
As the night wore on, the bar took on a dreamlike quality, with Finn floating through a haze of euphoria and possibility. The strains of a favorite song brought him back to the dance floor, where he lost himself in the music and the moment. Everything felt electric, each interaction charged with a sense of adventure and promise. In those hours, Finn was free, his worries forgotten, his spirit unburdened by the weight of the future.
YOU ARE READING
Endless dance
ParanormalArt not mine! When Finn, a suicidal 28 year old, find Death's door several times but never gains access becomes manipulated by Death himself and has to keep living. Will he give into Death and stay with him forever or will he deny his fate? Trigger...
