Hidden Power: Just the Beginning

Chapter 3

A convenience store known as Quick Stop was a family business. It was occasionally hard to run and they sometimes hired close friends as employees when family wasn't enough.

Jake, the oldest of five siblings, was given the title of manager of Quick Stop by his father. He wasn't the best with business so his mother helped occasionally.

Stacy met Jake in high school. This was before Jake took charge of the store. Jake's father liked her and decided to hire her to work at Quick Stop. Stacy had accepted the job since she hadn't had one before and thought a convenience store would be good place to start. She's worked there ever since. She didn't like it nor hate it. She liked her coworkers; the customers were a different story.

Stacy was restocking the chip rack when she overheard an argument at the checkout. "Ma'am, I'm sorry but this card has been declined. I can't do anything about it," Sheryl said in the most reassuring voice she could muster. She never liked working the front counter. Liv had always been the best and most energetic behind the counter, but today wasn't her day to work.

"I don't know what your talking about! I have money on that card!" The lady was practically yelling. She was probably late thirties, early forties. Stacy couldn't tell.

"Well apparently you don't," responded Sheryl through the gritted teeth of her forced smile.

The woman refused to give up and said, "I think there is something wrong with the register. Or maybe the chip reader? I would like to try swiping it." Sheryl let out a sigh of relief knowing this woman was at least somewhat rational.

Stacy thinking this had been over with picked up another small chip bag to put on the self. Stacy could see the woman swipe her card out of the corner of her eye. Then the woman threw up her arms and yelled, "This is absurd!" A couple on the other side of the fairly small shop overheard because who couldn't?

The woman then demanded to see the manager. Oh the classic manager card, Stacy thought to herself. This is a family business. Everybody knows it's not gonna do shi--.

"Jake!" Sheryl hollered. Everybody in the store jumped. Stacy, the woman, the couple on the other side of the store, and probably Garrett and Jake in the back as well. As was said before, this was a small store.

Jake, the manager, comes out of the door leading to the back of the store where they keep all the merchandise. Stacy peered through the ajar door and saw a confused Garrett on the other side. "What the heck, Sheryl?" Jake said to her, slightly shook. He didn't sound mad, just tired.

Stacy continued stocking the shelf as Jake told the woman exactly what Sheryl had.

:',(~~<|>~~),':

In the back of the shop, Stacy helped Garrett carry various bottles and boxes. Garrett had a tendency to be a bit clumsy. He had certain things he was good at and lifting heavy objects wasn't one of them. That was Stacy's job. She was tall enough to reach higher shelves and was always trying her best to keep everything in one piece. Garrett typically refilled the soda machine and made special orders.

There were customers who wanted something in specific and Garrett was usually able to help them. He was still in high school so Liv would take over his duties every now and again.

"Stacy, we need more foam cups at the counter," Garrett said as he placed a fairly box on a table. It was past closing time and the two of them were assigned with cleaning up. They had already finished the cleaning so they had decided to reorganize and restock a couple of things before calling it a day.

Stacy spotted a box of foam cups in the corner of the room. She picked it up . Once she had the box, she tossed it over to Garrett.

He was able to catch it but wasn't too thrilled that Stacy had thrown it in the first place. "Be careful! We sell these things!"

Stacy rolled her eyes and said to him, "Relax. They're foam cups." She climbed down the ladder and went back into the store to help Garrett.

:',(~~<|>~~),':

Stacy looked back at all those and many more moments. Liv did so much to help whether it has to do with the shop or not. They really did rely on Liv a lot.

Michelle walked in through the back door, her face full of worry.

"Anything new?" Stacy asked.

Michelle hung her head and responded with a hoarse, "No. There's still no sign of her."

Stacy held her breath as if she was waiting for something. She wasn't waiting for anything, she just didn't want to face reality.

Liv had been missing for a week now. Still, nobody had any clue of her whereabouts.