by J. K Harper
“How about I make you a deal? If you’re not working, or actually even if you are, come to my place for Christmas lunch. There’ll just be me and Richard, and we’ll have plenty of food to go around. I’ll even send you away with a doggie-bag for your shift if you’re on.”
“And what do I have to do in exchange?” I asked, vaguely aware of where this was going.
She smiled. “Oh, nothing, except turn up in a shirt and tie… and maybe skip a few of these toxic microwave meals? Consider it my Christmas present.”
“Oh, Jayne, you’re an easy woman to please. Why can’t they all be like you?”
She laughed and waved me away. “Go on, you daft boy. I have to count my till before I go home. See you on Christmas day… around noon. I’ll be saving a seat for you, so don’t let me down.”
“Would I ever?” I smiled and walked back through the automatic doors to the parking lot and skirted around back to the small outside security office where I’d be spending the best part of the night and early morning. It was nothing more than a plastic shack. No bigger than a jail cell, I imagined, a literal sauna in summer and an ice box in the winter. Good thing I brought an extra set of gloves tonight. I could smell the snow coming.
“Hey, you’re early for a change,” Lonnie called to me as I stuck my head in the box. He sat heavy in front of a bank of three monitors, their grainy black and white images flickering and then changing to another angle in and outside of the store.
“What can I say? I missed your ugly face.”
Lonnie laughed and put down a creased paperback book, a western, from the looks of the cover, and got to his feet to join me outside. There wasn’t room enough to swing a cat in there let alone fit two grown men. I barely fit on my own; my knees jutted out too far and too high when I was sitting down, and there had been many a time when I’d banged them against the desk.
“Nah, I bet you were just bored. I bet you did nothing exciting on your days off again, either.”
“But that’s what they are for. Days off are precisely there for doing nothing. I did do my laundry, though. That’s gotta count for something?”
“Jeez, that sounds thrilling. Seriously, you need to get yourself a good woman, or better yet, start small and just get laid first. You know Lori and I would help set you up with one of her friends. I know a couple of them had their eyes on you the last time you came around.”
“I’m good, man. Really,” I said. I didn’t need to be set up. I was happy as I was. Sure it was a simple life where not much changed. I ate practically the same things every day, and my schedule was predictable. I would go to work and come back home, and that was that. Sometimes I would hike around the mountain trails if I got a bit stir-crazy. But other than that, life was good. Wasn’t it?
It was safer this way, surely. There had been far too many tales of what could go wrong if my kind let loose, unable to control themselves… I know I didn’t want to let that happen. No, this was the way I wanted it to be. I was stable; I didn’t need any crazy excitement in my life. I already had enough with a sweet but crazy old lady trying to interfere at every turn, bless her.
“Actually, speaking of which, Lori wanted me to ask what you were doing for Christmas. We’d love to have you.”
“Ha! I actually have a date for that day. I’m fully booked, I’m afraid,” I said with a triumphant grin.
“Wait, you have a date? On Christmas day? You’re having me on… Ah, I see! Jayne got to you first, didn’t she?”
I chuckled. “Can’t pull the wool over your eyes, can I?”
“Ah, well. Maybe we can have you over for New Years instead.”
“At this rate I’m going to have to buy a diary ’cause I don’t know if I can keep track of all these social engagements.”
Lonnie rolled his eyes then stamped his feet to keep warm. After a quick look at his watch he reached back inside the security cubby and pulled out a clipboard. “Well, it’s about that time again.”
“Anything unusual to report?”
“Nah, all quiet tonight. Danny had a shoplifter this morning. Just a local kid trying to sneak out some candy. Must’ve been only about ten. Sheriff had a word and let him off with a warning… scared the living hell out of him though, of course.”
“For the best.”
Lonnie nodded. “All right, then, here.” Lonnie ticked the boxes on the handover sheet the security company required us to fill out at the end of every shift. He scribbled his name then passed the clipboard to me to do the same. “Just need your John Hancock, then we’re all set to go.”
“Let’s hope the quiet trend continues.”
He nodded and started to collect up his things from inside. “I left the heater on for you. It’s gonna be a cold one tonight.”
“Cheers,” I said, grateful, even though I wouldn’t need it. I could feel the cold, don’t get me wrong, but I was never bothered by it. It was a positive aspect of my shifter side that came in handy when I forgot to pay the heating bill.
Lonnie, ready to go, was about to turn away when he frowned and paused. “I knew there was something I was forgetting. It’s a wonder I keep my head on screwed straight—Lori’s got me doing a ton of stuff in preparation for the holidays. You should see the lists of chores she’s made. Anyway, that’s beside the point. She wants me to fix the latch on the basement door when I get back, and well, it reminded me of one the internal fire doors in the store, you know the one. Leads into the warehouse after passing the security door.”
“Yeah, what about it?”
“The bar on it, or maybe the mechanism inside—I dunno—is busted. I scheduled Morris to come take a look tomorrow. But of course I won’t be here. Just let Danny know, will you?”
“Sure. I’ll make a note.”
“Perfect. Well, have a good one. And I’ll see you after the holidays!”
“You, too. Give Lori and the kids my best.”
He waved and trudged away to his truck just as the first flakes started to descend against the darkened sky.
Making sure the clipboard was tucked away and the handoff form was neatly filled in, I bent slightly over the back of the chair, watching the security cameras and getting the lay of the land. Everything looked like it was on schedule. The monitors showed some of the staff, Jayne included, cashing out and tidying up. A cleaner busily buffed the floor near the meat counter.
The store closed at ten p.m., and I would need to get back over there to usher any lingering customers out and lock the place up before doing my first rounds of the night.
I set my ready-meals down on the small cabinet by the desk, grabbed my keys and left, locking the little security cubby behind me.
Walking back to the store, I noticed there were only a few other cars parked in the store’s lot, mostly all belonging to the staff members, a dusting of snow starting to cover the windshields. We’d definitely have snow for Christmas at this rate, I thought, always liking the idea of a white winter wonderland around this time of year. Without snow, it never really seemed like Christmas or winter for me.
The automatic doors were already switched off by the time I arrived at the front, and I knocked my gloved knuckles on the glass. Will appeared and checked who it was, giving a slight nod as he recognized me.
“Hey, Joe,” Will said as he pressed the button inside, the sliding doors quickly shooting back on their rails to let me in. Will was a young guy, barely out of high school, and he’d been filling in as the indoor store detective. Though really he was just another part of the security team, only they didn’t have to do nightshifts.
“How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain. Think everyone is nearly done here, shouldn’t be too much longer.” He stood fidgeting as if he wanted to say more but wasn’t sure how to. He looked at his watch then let out an anxious breath. For a big guy, he was very reserved and shy.
“Something on your mind, Will?”
“Ah, well, I have a bit of a date and I was wondering if I coul
d duck out early?”
“Don’t see why not. Only fifteen minutes left anyway.”
“Really? You don’t mind? She’s going away tomorrow with her family, you see, so it’s last the time I’ll see her before the new year.”
“Of course not. Go on, get. Enjoy yourself. I won’t tell the company.”
“Thanks, Joe.”
The hum of the store was different now than when I’d been in to purchase my late-night lunch. A stillness that was almost relaxing. The staff members’ accumulated relief seemed to dissipate out of them; they were happy that their shifts were now over for another day. I hovered by the entrance for a little while as they started to stream out in ones and twos, reopening the door for them each time. Then I started to check the aisles for any stragglers, staff or customers. It wasn’t unusual to find a drunken hobo stashed away near the back, huddled by the bottles of alcohol, having himself a merry old time. But thankfully tonight there were none.
Just as I was about to check the ladies’ toilets, the door swung open and Jayne, startled at seeing me directly in front of her, let out a little gasp. “Oh, don’t you do that to an old woman! You nearly gave me a heart attack.” Her hand went to her chest as she tried to regain her composure.
“Sorry,” I said gently, genuinely worried for startling her.
“I’ll be all right. Just didn’t expect you to be there,” she said, her smile returning.
“Anyone else in there?”
“Nah, just me. Think I’m the last to leave, aren’t I?”
I nodded. “Let me escort you to your car, my lady.” I held out my arm and she took it without question, beaming at me.
“You don’t half know how to look after me.”
Once Jayne was in her car and driving away, I did my last sweep around the perimeter then double-checked that all the doors and delivery entrances were securely locked. With that main task done, I was back in the hut in no time, seated on the vaguely comfortable metal chair—I was sure it was going to give under my bulky frame one day. I looked through the small stack of books that Lonnie always left behind in case I wanted to give one a go. And most always his recommendations were spot on, a decent way to pass the time as I sat in the hut where not much of anything happened. I skirted over the thick science fiction saga and dove into a thriller instead.
It wasn’t until I looked up after a couple of pages—just keeping an eye on the monitors—that I noticed something strange happening in the store.
A small light glowed in the murky shadows. It hovered for a moment then swayed and travelled across the fuzzy screen. It looked like a little firefly, but one with a much brighter light. I blinked my eyes at the screen, trying to figure out what it was. It was only when the light got close enough to the camera on aisle two that I figured it out.
An intruder kept close to the shadows, his arm outstretched, holding onto what looked to be a battery-powered lantern, and he was making his way through the store. How on earth could I have missed someone? I’d checked everywhere.
I got to my feet, ready for action, the adrenaline already pumping, and left the hut.
Chapter 3
Cora
My legs were starting to cramp, and my arms felt like they were weighed down by more than a little baby. But I didn’t dare move.
I squatted on my haunches, the toes of my shoes on the very edge of the toilet, trying desperately to keep my balance, hoping they didn’t slip and cause me to fall. Ava was sleeping, thankfully, but she could wake up at any moment and sound the alarm, and then we’d really be in trouble.
We’d been able to hunker down in the stall that I’d hung the out-of-order sign on for a few hours now; I’d managed to get the duffel bag inside without anyone noticing. There hadn’t been too many ladies coming in to use the room, but I was getting antsy. I no longer had my watch to tell the time, but I knew it must be near closing by now.
A woman had come in, done her business, then took an age to wash her hands. At one point I thought she might have heard us when Ava whimpered in her sleep, but the rush of water must’ve smothered the sound.
I held my breath as the woman gave out a startled cry when she left the restroom, thinking perhaps she was trying to alert someone to my presence. But from what I could overhear, she’d only been surprised by a security guard of some sort, though that thought didn’t make me feel any relief. He would come in, search the bathroom and each stall and no doubt find me there, trapped in the corner with no place to run to. I just knew it. I never had any luck, so why would it change now?
Just leave, I willed them both. Please.
Then the words came when he asked the woman if there was anyone else in there with her. I waited for what seemed like an age for her to answer. But even if she did answer no, I thought, he would still come in to check.
Yet for once in my life someone was looking out for us, a Christmas miracle of sorts. The man didn’t come in, choosing to escort the woman to her car instead. I sent up a little prayer thanking the fates, God, and anyone who was listening. If that’s all I got for Christmas, I would think myself blessed.
To be sure I waited a few more moments before daring to move off the toilet seat. I waited longer still before venturing out of the stall into the main enclosure that was the bathroom. My legs were already stiff from the walk to the bus stop that afternoon, mile after mile, hauling Ava and the bag, and they were definitely made worse by staying so rigid for so long. I needed to stretch and possibly find myself something to eat so I could later feed Ava.
My plan had been simple: get a few towns over to the store where we could shelter before travelling west and throwing myself on the mercy of my aunt. There was no guarantee she’d take pity on us, as there had been no love lost between her and my father, but it was my last option. She was the only other person in the world who would perhaps care a tiny bit if something were to happen to me. However, in my rush to get to the store before the snow started to fall, I’d darted into the bathroom and barricaded us inside instead of first buying some items with the remaining money I’d gotten from the watch. I’d been too eager, not really thinking, and once I was inside the bathroom, the thought of going back out there, pretending to shop like a normal person with all those cameras watching me, was just too risky. So I’d stayed put in the room that had the underlying smell of stale urine pitifully masked with bleach.
I pulled the bag out to the corner of the room and made a little hollowed-out nest for Ava to sleep in. It wasn’t the type of crib I’d ever envisaged my baby daughter sleeping in, but she would be fine, dry and off the floor, comfy and warm, while I ventured into the belly of the beast. I longed to stay put, but my stomach growled for attention. The instinct to survive and get some nourishment was high on my list after gaining shelter.
With a quick stroke of Ava’s perfect downy cheek, I forced myself to leave the bathroom.
“I won’t be long, baby girl.”
I didn’t expect it to be so dark when I exited, but it was like a filter of gray shadows had fallen across every surface of the store. Luckily, though, there was the green glow of the emergency lighting that helped me see my way.
Like a thief I passed slowly by the store’s small gardening section and borrowed a small Chinese-style lantern from a nearby display. The batteries inside still worked, and once turned on the little light it emitted made me feel a whole lot better.
Thoughts of shame seeped into my mind as I considered the implications of what I was doing. I was not a bad person, I had morals and my own code, and stealing was one that I never thought I would be forced to break. But here I was doing just that, staying in a place I knew shouldn’t be and scouting for something to eat from the shelves.
I’d decided to first check if there were any leftovers in the staff room, my mind attempting to justify to itself that that would be the lesser of two evils, but upon finding it and the fridge, there was not a crumb inside. So, I was back in the store, warring with myself over what woul
d be okay to take. A piece of loose fruit, perhaps? Or something from the discounted section, which would most likely be thrown out anyway?
Finally I opted for a red apple and an abandoned and partially stale bun I’d found on the wooden slats in the bakery section in the back.
The store was huge, a trek in itself from one side to the other. Feeling pleased and yet with a sense of guilt welling up inside me, I made my way back to Ava, making only a couple of wrong turns before I saw the bank of checkouts and the corridor that led to the restrooms.
My ears picked up on a muffled cry, and at first I wondered what it was; it sounded like an air-conditioning unit starting up, sucking air in with a wheeze. But then it hit me, and my feet hurried along the polished floor.
Nearing the middle, only a few aisles away, I didn’t see him till the last minute. All I could hear was my baby crying.
I started to run, not caring anymore if I was caught or thrown in jail. My instinct was to get to her before anyone else heard. But I was too late—the security guard already had her in his arms. I skidded to a halt on one side of the checkouts as he stared at me from just outside the restroom, the door closing behind him. “Hey, you!”
He looked from me to the baby, puzzlement on his face. God, his eyes. They glowed.
My heart rate spiked as the decision to fight or flee pulsed within me. What do I do? My baby needed me. I berated myself for leaving her, but she’d been sleeping, and I hadn’t had the heart to wake her after the ordeal of a day we’d had.
The security guard stepped forward an inch, the beam of his flashlight slowly rising to my face.
“Don’t come any closer!” I yelled, panic rising in my throat.
He halted his advance. “I don’t know what you think you are doing, but you best come with me.”
Dread soared, making me feel like I was going to be sick. If I went with him, gave myself up and allowed myself to get caught, I’d be spending god knows how many nights behind bars. But I had to get to her.
