walmart » phan

aisle one

dan liked the quiet. that's probably why he didn't enjoy high school, his busy home, or the outdoors in general. he was happy all by himself. alone. silence.

his family was just fine leaving him by himself, which he didn't complain about much. his mum was so focused on her job, and his dad was almost never at home. he showed up to adrian's events, though. every middle school band concert, the play each year, his lower school, and soon to be middle school graduations. every. single. one.

did anyone care about dan's achievements? no. that might be becuase he had a vast fewer amount, but that was beyond the point.

dan didn't quite know how he found himself walking down the street. he needed to get out of the house. get out. just get out. out. out. out.

walking was something he enjoyed to an extent. he liked it when the weather was warm and he could wear a t-shirt and feel a cool breeze through his hair. he knew some of the people in his friend group didn't have the luxury of wearing short sleeves. dan had to be thankful everyday he hadn't resorted to some of their hobbies.

he turned left to the strip mall he often visited. five buildings, none of which were the nicest stores. dan wasn't the nicest person.

dan decided to enter the walmart. he needed a new pencil case for school, since he spent the last night tearing his old one apart thread by thread. it doesn't take much to rip something to shreds.

he picked up a candy bar for adrian and made his way to the office supply section. there were too many people inside. not enough space. not enough air.

dan felt himself getting dizzy. he needed to go to the bathroom. alone. be alone. get out. out.

he locked the door and opened the chocolate bar. he probably couldn't have afforded it anyway, and a treat was the last thing his little brother needed. he broke off a corner and ate it. and then another piece. swallow. one at a time. rip it apart.

it was late, and walmart closed at 11:00 on weekdays. it was currently 10:21. 10:22. 10:23.

dan threw the chocolate wrapper in the trash can and splashed some water on his face. he looked at himself. he was handsome. he got his father's fair lips. his mother's kind eyes.

but he got the world's desolation.

the trashy top 40 that was playing too loud faded out and a message played through the speaker. dan put his hands over his ears. too loud.

attention shoppers, the store will be closing in 10 minutes.

dan didn't like when he had no control over what he could or couldn't hear. he didn't like when had no control, period. he continued to sit on the toilet, the taste of chocolate hesitating to lave his mouth. he turned the lights off.

for all anyone else knew, he wasn't there. he was gone. out. he pulled out his phone and started to type out all the good things in his life

- adrian
- books
- video games

that was all he could come up with.

dan yawned. he should get back home so he could get enough sleep. when he opened the door, the entire store was pitch black.

"hello?" dan called out.

"shit!" a voice replied form the other side of the store.

dan heard footsteps. he walked back into the bathroom and locked it. his back pressed against the wall in fear, he started to slide down the wall and hugged his knees to his chest.

"is someone in there?" the same voice said, knocking on the door.

the boy who the voice belonged to, phil, didn't hear his phone buzz on the other side of the store.