CHAPTER 1
1581 Words
(The Unseen Side of the Dark Alleys)
"HERE YOU GO, ma'am. Thanks for shopping!” Brianna smiled from ear to ear as she gave the client what she had purchased.
It's around ten in the evening.
There are only a few customers buying but she still has to wait an hour to close 11-eleven, the convenience store where she works. It is open from eleven in the morning to eleven in the evening. As a result, her feet began to feel tired because she was at the counter all afternoon, although the rubber shoes she was wearing were comfortable.
"Bri!"
She glanced at her friend, who was also her colleague at the store, Chang. She was acting cute while leaning at the counter where she was on duty. She closed and opened his eyes three times, then smiled.
"You look beautiful today," she praises.
She looked at her intently. She knew it was nothing more than a joke. She hasn't even combed her hair since she started working that day. She also doesn't wear make-up like Chang. She even misses to put even a face powder. Luckily, she is naturally fair. The oiliness in her skin is not obvious.
She glared at her. She often praises and say anything sweet every time she needed something.
"You already know what I'm going to ask, don't you?" She straightened her stand and put her two index fingers, tapping, in front of her chest.
"You want me to cover your shift. Right?"
She already knew what she would ask because of the time they had been together on almost everything. Even with a flick of a finger or a stare, they are already having a conversation that only they can understand. They were partners in crime.
She crossed her arms and examined her.
"What will you give me in return for allowing you to go on a date?"
"Ahm..." She frowned and looked the other way. "Ah! You can have the three days of my salary," she said as if it was nothing.
She looked at her in disbelief.
"So, you're willing to spend all your money to see a guy, huh?"
"Well, I'm just a healthy young woman in my twenty years of existence. You're supposed to come with me to hunt boys. At our age, you should have at least dated a guy or two. You should live your life, Bri."
"I am healthy, even without a man."
"You're seriously making my head ache. You're not young forever. You're getting old. At least, try to experience even just a kiss."
"Whatever, Chang."
She gently pushed her friend to face the exit. "Your three days salary is mine now," she reminded her.
"Yeah. No worries. " She took off her apron and cap, then walked out.
"Don't forget your protection!" she shouted as her friend went out the door.
The woman signaled 'ok', using her fingers, outside the glass wall.
The store door rang so she became alert and adjusted her stand.
A male customer walked straight to the counter where she was. He looked around, searching for a particular thing. Until his eyes landed on the small and colorful boxes in front of her.
She immediately looked the other way.
She works there almost every day and sees different kinds of people. And she can deal with different personalities.
It is also normal for customers purchasing condoms from her, face to face. Like right now. She felt uncomfortable at the time, but now it's as if she's selling candy.
When she noticed that he had been looking at the boxes for a while now, that's the time when she spoke.
"Have you made your choice, Sir?"
She automatically looked at the boxes, trying to figure out if what's taking him long to choose.
He took a deep breath, then picked up one and placed it in front of her. He gently massages his own nape and took another one that was larger in size. Once again the man took another box.
Until various types, sizes, and brands of condoms piled up on the counter table. All of what they had was put on there.
That made her look up to see what the male buyer looked like.
He was tall and well-built, even if he was wearing a black jacket. He maybe just a few years older than her, ranges from twenty-three to twenty-five. His hair is wavy and its length reaches up to his ears. His pointed edge eyes are looking sharply at her as if she did something wrong. The nose is pointed and his reddish lips are perfectly shaped.
He is quite charming and appealing. With that look, he can get any woman in bed.
Except, for her. Especially, now that she witnessed how many boxes he bought. Does this guy not have any plan on sleeping? How many women would this guy want to lay with?
What a p*****t! He is handsome, but a p*****t, she commented in her mind.
"You want to add more, Sir?" She forced a smile.
If looks can kill, she may be dead by now. He obviously didn't like anything she said.
She immediately wrapped what he bought after paying. "Here you go. Enjoy your night, Sir."
He swiftly picked up the bag and took off.
Next up was a man in his mid-forties. He went directly to the refrigerator and took a can of beer.
"Where is that beautiful woman who works here?" he asked at the counter.
She can tell that this man has been drinking for days by the reek of his breath.
She gave him a fake smile. "I guess I'm that beautiful woman you're referring to?"
He laughed at her joke.
"No. The beautiful and sexy woman," he said while gesturing a beautiful body curve.
After finding out that Chang is not around, he sat outside and drank what he bought.
The clock hit eleven o'clock, the time for the store to close. She went out to fix the tables and chairs, only to see the man who bought a can of beer still sitting there.
"Sir, excuse me. But the store is going to close now."
"Ah. Is that so? All right," he said then stood up and walked away.
She double checked everything before heading out.
She comes home with Chang every night after work, unless the girl has a date. She always accompanied her in her rented apartment.
Their place is dangerous every night for those walking alone. It is not safe even in the morning, crimes are still uncontrollable. Various gangs, syndicates, Yakuza and mafia are secretly operating the underground world of the city.
Vehicles that are passing by the highway were noisy, but her ears could still hear the footsteps of the person following her. She was sure about it.
There was no one else walking on the side of the road, except her. As she quickened her pace, the person in the back follows.
She walked even faster than her usual. Fortunately, she was wearing shoes. She can run easily if anything happens.
She was shocked when someone drove her to a dark alley. The light from the lampposts is having trouble getting in.
Her back hit hard the wall and someone is aiming a knife to her neck.
"Give me all your money and phone if you don't want to get hurt," the man threatened her.
This is the man who bought a beer earlier at the store where she works. "It would be merrier if your beautiful friend is with you."
"Don't. Please don't," she said in a voice full of fear. "Don't point the knife on me," she said again in a low voice then laughed softly. Her tone changed. There is no trace of fear.
The man was stunned. "What's funny?"
Her laughter became louder and louder.
"Stop!" He brought the knife even closer to her neck.
She looked at him with eyes that also changed the way it used to look. Her formerly cheerful eyes whenever facing customers disappeared. It was replaced by eyes that seemed to have no soul. Not even she, can determine what she could do.
"I'm sorry. I can't help it," she said with a wide grin on her face.
She gripped the man's hand tightly and then twisted it. The incident happened quickly and the old man was not prepared for that. He even let go of the knife he was holding due to the pain of his twisted hand.
Next, she kicked him in the stomach which caused her to have a space from him. She didn’t stop there. She rushed towards the man and punched him in the jaw.
She flipped her side bangs while looking at the man who was now lying on the ground unconscious. He is drunk and that makes her knock the old man down easily.
She sat down then started to search and open all the pockets of his dirty clothes.
"How many people have stolen from?" she asked. She got six different types of women’s and men’s wallets.
"You should know first whose territory you are invading," she continued as if the speaker was awake.
"Because in places like this, I'm the queen," she declared then threw the empty wallets in the back.
She put all the money she got from the wallets in the bag. She clapped her palms twice to shake the dirt off, before walking again as if nothing had happened.
- Writer
