PURITY

𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙮

Joey's pov.

Another day in hell.

I groan as I hear my alarm go off. Damn it, my mom really had to get me the loudest alarm possible didn't she...
I quickly fumble to turn it off. I glance at the time even though I know exactly what time it is. 2:30 AM.

I rub my eyes and get up slowly.
Why did I say I'd take the graveyard shift today?
I take my time getting dressed and ready. It's still pitch black outside and it will be for a good while. I grab my bag and coffee and walk out the front door, locking it behind me as I head to my beat up Mazda. I struggle to get the door open as always.

Damn I really need a new car...

I sigh as I put my cup of coffee and keys on top of the car and try to pry the door open with both hands. It finally comes unstuck and I look around to see if anyone saw my lame struggle with my car door. I let out a deep breath when I realize no one is up this early. At least not in this neighborhood... My relief is cut short when I see the same black van from outside my work on the other side of the street.
My mind starts going a mile a minute.

Maybe the owner lives here?
Maybe it's a totally different van.
Wait- Do I have a stalker?
Nonono! Jordison of course you don't have a stalker! That's stupid! How could anyone want to stalk you?
You're so boring...

I shake my head and grab my coffee and keys and get in my car quickly. I jam the keys in the ignition and start the car, pulling out of the driveway and speeding down the street.

The Des Moines streets are quiet with the occasional lone car speeding well over the speed limit. I quickly pull behind the gas station and walk in, taking a sip of my coffee. I nod to the guy working behind the counter. He looks relieved as I walk in, quickly packing up his stuff and rushing out of the store.

I sigh as I sit behind the counter, dropping my bag down beside me with a loud thud.

The hours pass by agonizingly slow, only two people have come in, I've taken two naps already, and I've already raided the morning doughnuts. I play with my hair as I wait for something interesting to happen.

I check the time as a customer walks in, 5:00 on the dot. The man is bigger and has a rough looking beard with a John Deer cap, and typical Iowan clothes.

I watch him as he walks though the store, picking up random items. I see him glance over at me every few seconds and I look away as quick as I could and pretended to do something else. I don't want to be caught staring at some random dude...

Eventually he finishes getting what he needs and walks over to the counter. He puts his items down on the and I scan them for him, putting them in a plastic bag and handing it to him. His hands are sweaty as he grabs the bag, accidentally bumping my hand in the process. They were like abnormally sweaty, like someone either committed a crime or decided to walk up to their crush for the first time. It was honestly pretty gross but I shrug it off.

He quickly walks out the door with his stuff and walks over to a black van. I almost couldn't breathe for a second.
Is he the one who's always outside here? Outside my house?

I feel fear creep though me as I realize he might've been watching me for all this time. That man? I should've asked his name... Wait why would I ask his name?! So I could get closer to a dude who's probably stalking me? That's probably what he wants me to do.

Damn it Joey! Now you're just being paranoid! He could be a totally different dude with a totally different black van. He's probably just coming in to get his morning coffee and go to his menial Iowan job. Probably a farmer or truck driver with the attire. I watch as the van pulls away and out of the parking lot, almost caught in a trance as it goes.

My mind snaps back to where I am when a woman in a professional looking outfit walks though the door, signaling the bell to ding quietly. I don't pay her any attention as she gets whatever she needs and brings it up to the counter. She looks extremely tired, most of us are. I scan her items and she's on her way. I bet that she's some important lawyer or something...

The next hours of my shift continue the same, with business picking up around 6:30-7:30. Everyone coming in to get their morning coffee, doughnut, and gas. I'm surprised how typical Iowans are but at the same time I realize that I'd probably do the same.

What a damn rat race.

I feel relief wash over me as I see the guy taking the next shift walk in. He smiles and takes my spot behind the counter as I get my stuff together and walk out.
I'm still waiting for the day where I can get a better job. Cause quite honestly, this one sucks.
I freeze in my tracks when I see the same black van across the road.

What the fuck? Why is that fucking van still here?!
I take a deep breath and walk over and take a picture of the plates, making sure no one sees me. Once I finish I rush to my car and pry the door open once again and throw my items into the back seat. I slam the door shut and drive off, hoping that no one saw me.

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(A/N): Chapter Written by j0eYj0rdis0n
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