The lights blink and flicker, hard to see into the dark between the aisles.
I can tell there are other customers here. Maybe staff as well? But the announcements over the PA sound... distant.
Something about a discount, but I couldn't tell what for. I can just hear footsteps heading that way, and someone whispering "one third off" somewhere to my left.
Is anyone here?
Am I here?
Another announcement, so distorted it's barely recognizable as speech.
The feet shuffle towards another aisle.
I don't think they're getting closer, but...
I run.
Don't look back
Don't look back
Don't look back
Don't look back
Someone asks "Can I help you find something?"
I manage to stop screaming after a few seconds.
"The way out?"
"Oh, ah, of course. If... If you take me with you."
She suppresses a shiver.
"What did they offer you to work tonight?"
"Time and a half. And the same tomorrow. It sounded good. Then."
"I'm so sorry."
She points and I lead the way. We're close. I think. It's still so hard to see.
Another announcement. Sixty percent off...
I always wanted one of those.
I didn't think they still even made them.
"Don't listen!" she cries and grabs my arm.
I nod and turn back to the exit.
We reach the door. But I see too late it's been repurposed as an entrance during the second rush.
We can wait. Or we can fight.
I manage to divert some of the crowd with a lie about the must have toy. I don't even know what the must have toy is. I don't think they do either.
We get to the door. I take a gasping breath of winter air.
She stumbles to her car.
I look back. The store is a blur of light, a dark shape, real and not real moment to moment. But still people are trying to get in.
I find the coupon that all started this, still in my pocket.
The ink has run, I can't even read what it was for any more.
I can't remember either.
I crumple it up and put it the recycling bin.
I get to my car. Get in. Chance a look back in the mirror.
The store looks... normal now.
But I drive away anyway.
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