Jacks And Jokers

4: Fours

Most of the Fours were normal, close to exactly the same as the Threes with the only variation being slightly more colorful. There was still a crawling paranoid in my mind though. I kept looking over my shoulder in fear of seeing a face I knew wouldn't appear. Once, I swear there was a cloak as black as night rounding a corner. I couldn't be sure cause it were nearing lunch so my mind might just be hungry.

As if reading my mind I heard, "Everyone listen up," my teacher said in her teacher like voice. "We are going to be having lunch soon. I want everyone to follow me into the, Umm..." She looked off to the right in contemplation before continuing. "Restaurant here. Form a single file line and order your meal. Be polite and tell them to add it to the tour check."

Izy and I were close to the end of the line so we had plenty of time to talk. She didn't seem in the talking mood. Her body was tense. Shoulders up, elbows close to her chest, legs stiff, and lips puckered as if she were thinking, and nervous. "Have you ever been in a shop?" Izy slightly jumps at the words I say as if about to have a heart attack.

I put my hand on her shoulder and she just sighs and says, "I've never been in a shop before, and I don't want to be rude, and I don't know what to order, and..." I stop her before her thoughts get worse. She just looks at me with fear and then composes herself with a smile that I know only she could pull off.

"This is your first time in a shop, so make it your best time." This seems to make her perk up a little bit more. I smile and that must've been what the system wanted and my wristband dinged. I look down, and I was awarded a few points. "Huh," I start, "Didn't know I could still get those." the points immediately vanished with a buzz.

Izy slightly giggles before she gets called forward"Next!" our teacher practically screamed. In an instant I hear a buzz from Izy's wrist band and she walks forward. I guess irritating the teacher must've triggered a negative response. I was about to apologize before she moved into the store with me trailing behind when the teacher stopped me. "Not you, there are already too many people in there." I looked into the shop. It was only Izy and the shopkeeper, but I couldn't complain so I waited alone. 

They looked like they were having fun. She was no doubt using her incredible charm to make him feel extremely happy. Right as she left he opened the door, gave her a hug, and said something to her that made her look a little down.

Izy walked out the opposite door from me. I see her approach the other friend table before sitting down. I then, with my teacher's permission, enter the shop.

"Hello!" I was greeted with a smile and a weird question. "What can I do ya for?" I raised an eyebrow wondering what this man was talking about. "What can I do for you?" Slight unease drips down my body in the form of sweat as I collect my thoughts.

"Oh, I'm sorry. What do you guys have that I could eat for lunch?" The man was behind a desk with candy on the front side. It was mostly gone, but still there. There were isles of supplies on either side of me, and to the edge of my vision. The store was around the size of five RVs stacked side by side.

The man opens a hinged door to his left and approaches me. "You're from the Twos, right?" he said looking around. It was odd how where I came from could effect my food preference. But either way I continued.

"Yes, why?" I asked quizzically.

"Is your name John?" he asked inquisitively. I quickly had goosebumps forming over my entire body in concern of what this man was doing.

"How do you know my name?" I practically shouted. He quickly hushed me and held out a hunk of gleaming metal. Aluminum.

"Take this. You don't have time to enjoy much, but I hope it's good enough." I looked at him as he handed more food in the form of candy and water. "I hope you make it," and he quickly shuns me towards the door.

"What do you mean?!?" I struggled. "Quit pushing me!" he finally hesitated and replied.

"Just wait. It'll be fine soon." he finally pushed me out of the door. This left me with more questions than I'd had my entire life. 

I questioned what he said as I went to sit down by myself to think. No-one sat by me, and I didn't question it. I just ate the lump of meat in the bread that was inside of the aluminum. Then I felt a prickly feeling on the back of my neck and turned to see him again. The dark cloak quickly turning the corner, while wisps of dust blew up behind him.

Luckily, we soon left the fours.