curious

close your eyes

you've got nowhere to run
there's no way you'll make it out alive
when it's after dark, i'm gonna eat your heart
don't try to fight it, just close your eyes

8:28

another day, another dime.

my five hour shift at a chain drugstore seemed to drag on.

my manager had just gone upstairs to do her cash deposit, leaving me completely alone in the rather large store.

i hate being alone here. the atmosphere after the pharmacy closes just seems eerie and unkind. the hair on the back of my neck stands erect as the uncomfortable silence in the store settled.

as i'm facing a product in the hair styling aisle, the lights shut off abruptly, causing a squeak to leave my throat.

at the same moment that the lights shut off, i hear the bell on the door ring, a signal that the door had been opened automatically.

in walks a woman clad in black sweatpants and a white hoodie with a naked anime girl printed on the chest. she had white shoes on and a black backpack thrown over her shoulder.

"she looks too clean to be homeless; maybe she's just a pesky thief." i think to myself, watching the girl walk further into the store with her head down.

"hi, welcome," i greet the suspicious looking customer as she analyzes the signs. "how are you tonight?"

"i'm good," the customer says lowly, her piercing blue eyes peeking out between her black mask and her hood as she adjusts the black backpack on her shoulder. "how are you?"

"i'm okay," i reply with a slight nod of my head. "can i ask you to leave your backpack behind my counter?"

her lighter colored eyebrows furrow as her hand grips tighter on the strap. "why?"

"it's store policy," i reply honestly, my face turning slightly red under her intimidating gaze. "i have to ask everyone."

"whatever," she grumbles with a roll of her eyes, tossing her backpack down beside the counter. "don't let anyone touch it; there's important shit in there."

"you have my word," i reply, watching the strange girl walk away from her backpack and myself.

"she seems sus," i think to myself, crossing my arms over my chest as i look at the time.

8:53.

thank god.

"oh! ma'am," i shout after the woman, swinging my body around the counter so i could catch up with her. "i'd also like to let you know that we do close in ten minutes."

"don't worry," she says, her nimble fingers moving to adjust her mask on her nose. "i'll be out of your hair before then."

she turns on her heels and walks away once again, her hands shoved in her hoodie pockets.

i stand at my register, my body facing the doors as i watch the girl wander around the store aimlessly through the mirrors on the ceiling. she would pick something up, toss it in her hands, and then misplace it on the shelf. she did this every few feet, not even looking like she had the intentions of buying something.