Afterwork Snack
Jade pushed open the glass door of her favorite convenience store just after 11:00 p.m. The familiar chime echoed through the nearly empty building. After a long shift at work, all she wanted was a snack before heading home.
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She wandered down the aisles, staring at the shelves, trying to decide between chips, candy, or one of the pre-made sandwiches. The store was quiet except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights and a television playing somewhere behind the counter.
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Then the door chimed again.
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Jade glanced over her shoulder.
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A ragged figure stepped inside. His clothes were filthy, his hair tangled, and his face hidden beneath layers of grime. The clerk looked up and immediately frowned.
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"Get out," the clerk snapped.
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The man's head tilted.
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Without warning, he grabbed the nearest object and hurled it across the store. It smashed into the clerk. Before Jade could process what was happening, the figure vaulted over the counter.
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The beating began.
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Jade froze.
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She couldn't move. Couldn't scream. Couldn't even turn away.
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She stared at the same sandwich she'd been considering while the sounds echoed behind her—hit after hit after hit. Each impact made her stomach twist. Seconds felt like hours.
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Then silence.
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The violence stopped.
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Only the faint television remained.
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Slow footsteps approached.
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Closer.
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Closer.
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Jade's heart pounded so hard it hurt.
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The figure stopped beside her. Neither of them looked at each other. They simply stared at the sandwiches.
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Finally, in a rough, guttural voice, he pointed at one.
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"Those are pretty good," he said. "But they make 'em in the morning. Usually stale by now."
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"Thank you," Jade whispered.
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She picked up the sandwich, walked to the counter, and saw blood splattered across it. The clerk was nowhere in sight.
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With trembling hands, she laid down cash, took her change, and walked quietly into the darkness outside.