The Harvest Moon

Chapter one

Ding. The cash register rung while I was closing it. Giving the customer their change, I was smiling and thanking them for shopping with us. With only five minuets left till I could go home for the night, nothing could break my good mood. Its Friday night and I want nothing more than to be home on the computer making plans with some friends of mine. Oh and a milk shake. Chocolate.

While closing my register, a customer walked p putting mint gum, and a energy drink on the encounter. His female a compliance bouncing behind him, “Wait boo, I want a chocolate bar.” she was putting the Hershey bar on the counter as he was pulling out money.

“sorry sir my register is closed. Amber will be happy to assist you, Amber-” but amber was in the back, as I sighed I put my drawer back in the register. The man was looking at me with crisp dark blue eyes, a few strand of dark brown hair falling over his eyes. He was motionless, not expressing a single emotion. But his girlfriend I assume, was bubbly with flowing bleach blonde hair swaying side to side in sync with her hips. As I was rebooting my register he placed a twenty the counter, grabbing their goodies. I didn’t say a word as they were leaving, since they clearly gave me over the cost. About fifteen dollars worth over. With my drawer still out, and the register not fully booted, I pocket the twenty. Closed my register. And clocked out.

Ill just think of it as a tip. Since Amber was busy in the back doing anything but work. And now I can get a milkshake.

Deciding to get the milkshake after all, I was making my way to captain Harvey’s, the local sub shop that had the best subs, fries, burgers and over all milkshakes on the whole east coast. It’s a simple five minuets walk from work, and it was Friday. O I think I deserve a little treat on this fine night. Unbuttoning my white shirt, revealing a white tank top underneath, the soft mid autumn air wrapping around my waist and through my hair, I could think of nothing better than getting this milkshake and sitting on the front porch for the evening.

While walking I could hear the street light above flicker, rats running to the dumpsters, and my feet tap against the pavement. The wind whistling, crickets chirping, and the casual car drive by, hitting the breaks for the stop sign. The door to captain Harvey’s, always open on cool nights like tonight, was closed. A fear of the fat they may b closed for the night washed over me, until I got closer and saw an employee messing with the ‘open’ neon sign which seems to be broken or having issues. She was Asian with her hair in a tight bun.

“Hello, how was your week?” miss Woo asking me as she gave up on the sign. I was a regular at this place, for lunch or the occasional dessert. Smiling, she opened the door and put the stopper at the bottom. The wind instantly invading the small store filling my nostrils with the smell of steak, fried onions, ketchup, peppers and grease.

“It was long, but I’m hear and wanting my milkshake.” she smiled and walked behind the counter to the milkshake machine. Grabbing a large cup.

“Here you go, chocolate, large, and a bendy straw.” she was smiling as we exchanged milkshake for cash. I thanked her as I was leaving, walking home.

The walk home is a simple one, one or two turns, about ten minuets. No dark alleys, no dead ends, no tall buildings that cast unwelcoming shadows. In fact, I lived in a suburban area where the street lights were always on, porch lights always lit, and dogs that barked at any sign of movement. Clean streets, littered only of autumn leaves. Orange, yellow, maroon, and brown. The leaves dancing in the wind like a soft ballet. My neighborhood, was by far, one of the better ones. Middle class of course, but clean.

Drinking my milkshake, I was walking on the side walk passing parked cars and trucks. My mind at peace, that is until I heard it. A sound I only hear in movies. A gun shot. I ducked down behind a mini van, setting my milkshake on the ground I peeked around the car to see a man on his knees. A older man, looks like he’s in his late thirties. He arm was clenched in another mans grip. His face had a twisted look of pain and anger. He held the gun, I’m not sure what model or type, but in his hand was a small gun.