When Winter Came

Chapter one

Beep, beep. A boy with long messy hair wordlessly moved the packets of snacks through the checkout. His friend, a short haired wiry friend with a branded jacket chirped at him.

"Are you going to Mia's party tonight?" He leaned against the counter, like an excited puppy looking towards his friend.

He didn't respond, continuing to go on with his job, Disinterested in the conversation.

His friend grumbled, leaning back. "Dom, come on. Ethan said he'd drive us there. Ethan."

Beep, beep. No response as he tapped a large litre of coke and a packet of chicken flavoured chips.

"Gemma and Bree are going to be there, come on!" whined the puppy-like friend. He looked towards Dom with large eyes.

Not in the mood, he simply finished packing the bags, "card or cash."

There was an audible grumble. He put up his card, "you're really not coming?"

He did a tired nod.

"You're so boring," he tapped his card and left. As he exited he put up his orange-hooded jacket, jogging through the snow to reach a beaten up car, jumping in quickly into the vehicle before it scuttled away.

Dom let out a small sigh as they left. A veil of silence followed, as he watched the final customer leave from his shift. He wondered how Aaron had so much energy, he worked a job as well. With a wayward shrug, he left his place at checkout and began tending to the small store.

The clock looked at him with its arrows pointed at 11:30. As he locked the cashier, he yawned. Looking at the clock. There was no point going to Mia's party, he could imagine his experience vividly. He'd just be stuck on the wall with a bottle of coke, the music in the air and crowds of people walking by him. Too tired to socialize, let alone leave his spot. Urgh.

He finished up taking stock and putting his work apron away, he put on his jacket. Exiting into the snowy wilderness. 

There wasn't much to do at Hope Mills, with the snow covering the pathways down to the beach and anyway to reach the forest being covered in well- snow. It wasn't even the sort of snow that skiers could enjoy (although didn't stop the unknown tourist from appearing), it was like a thin layer of fluff to cover the frozen ice beneath.

He walked past glowing lights of the The Doughfather. Crossing the quiet streets and walking down the hill to reach a high series of apartment blocks a few blocks down. He unlocked the door, ignoring the sound of music coming from one of his many neighbors. 

Walking into the soft hum of silence within his home. He took in a deep breath then took off his jacket. Putting it up on a hook on the door before wandering to the kitchen. He scavenged a package of microwave mac and cheese; put it in.

Beep

Plonk, he settled himself in front of the TV. Zoning out at the images of an intense game-show asking contestants if they were willing to cut their hair for $500. After some thinking Dom decided his hair would be worth more as he finished up his dinner. Put it in the bin, then without even changing walked into his room and slept.

Hope Mills was a small rocky Cliffside some idiots decided to turn into a town a few hundred years ago. A place that runs by names, parties on the beach or in the forest and trivial matters that cause riots. Most people tried to work until they got out of there, go into the big city. Find a real opportunity. Unless you wanted to run a small business or be stuck in the town council there wasn't anywhere to go.

Dom squinted his eyes awake as he felt a vibration in his pocket. "Urrrggghhh?" He got out his phone, the light blinding him momentarily.

Arron: Your missing out!!! There's a cave!!! We're inside it!!!!!