Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Freakin’ freaky Friday

Friday, October 14th, 2022. 8.52 PM.

My god, it's cold tonight! And judging by those dark clouds over there, we're probably in for a downpour any minute now. And there you have it. Rain...lots and lots of cold rain is falling down from the heavens. The occasional gust surprises a customer who is currently refueling his car. 1-0 for the rain. He's drenched, the poor guy. I guess the roofing outside didn't help much today.

If you haven't guessed already by now, I'm currently at work at our local gas station, a self service station. I man the cash register and also prepare sandwiches and drinks for the customers. At this time of the day, quite a few people ask for hot chocolate and I'm happy to serve. Can't blame them, it really is the perfect weather for a hot drink.

We are in Marshfield, Massachusetts. Don't ask me why our parents decided on this location, but it isn't too bad. It's just the temperature....a cold breeze from the ocean is quite common. At least the air is fresh, literally.

Most of my customers are locals. A few neighbors and some familiar friendly faces I recognize from shopping at the local supermarket. The people who are just passing by, refueling and leaving, never seem to have time for small talk. They are nice, don't get me wrong, but I like to have a little chat now and then.  

 

It's almost time for the weekend to start and I'm looking forward to a quiet one this time. Sis will leave tomorrow with her boyfriend for a romantic date, leaving me home alone. I guess I'll settle close to the heater and reread one of my favorite isekai novels. I never get enough of those fantasy stories. I know they are just words, but at some point I don't see words anymore....I'm actually there. Somewhere far away from reality.

Going to school during the day and working at the gas station from 6-9 pm is pretty exhausting. But at least there's no school on the weekend. And they will close the gas station tomorrow to replace the underground storage tanks. Which means no work during the weekend either, but also no pay. 

"Beep beep"  A text message from Violet.  "No, got you a surprise. Later. V."

Violet always abbreviates names to the point that it gets annoying, but that's just one of her many quirks. 

But I can't reply to her message at the moment, as a customer with silvery gray hair approaches me while I'm standing near the register.

He's actually one of our neighbors, Mr. Potter. And no, his first name is not "Harry." 
Trust me, I already tried that joke...didn't work on him. Might be because he's in his early 70s.

"Hi Noah, working late again?"

"Oh hi there, Mr. Potter. Yep, you know me, always busy. It's been a while. How's Lilly doing?"

"Oh...you don't know?" His expression changes from cheerful to sad. "They said she had a brain tumor."

"Aww...no......don't tell me?" I think I already know.

"Yeah, it still hurts when I think about her, she was just 6." 

"Ah that sucks.....I know...I love dogs, they are part of the family, aren't they?"

"They sure are, Noah. Anyway, I know it's almost closing time for you, but do you mind making me a sandwich?"

"Not at all, I'm still on the clock, so what would you..."  But I couldn't finish my sentence.

At this point those pesky migraine visuals attacked me, but only for a second or so. 
While I pretend to be distracted by a customer outside, trying to hide my grimacing face, I actually do see something strange happening.

It's still pouring outside and someone driving a Ram pickup truck stops right in front of the shop's large windows. I hear heavy metal music playing, if you can call it music. Then something weird just got out of the car. Someone dressed as Pluto, as in the cartoon dog, is running our way. Whatever, I've seen many things already, I don't judge...as long as they pay their bills. I guess I can't avoid Halloween this year. 

While I'm about to walk to the sandwich section, Pluto runs inside, barely giving the sliding doors a chance to open. I know it's raining, but c'mon, it's not that bad!

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"Everyone HANDS UP!"   BANG!!

A loud male voice commands us to comply, while he shoots once into the shop's ceiling.

Oh my god. The moment I have dreaded for so long...it's here.

Mr Potter raises his arms in surrender. I do the same, but not before stealthily pushing the emergency button below the counter. Just as I have been taught.

The robber runs to me and points his gun at me.
"You, gimme cash. NOW. I said NOW!"

No choice. I open the register's drawer and quickly grab today's profits, trying not to look into his eyes. He holds out a bag and I simply drop everything in there. 

Mr. Potter slowly steps back, but the robber hits him with the backside of his gun against his head. 

"Ahhh!!!!!" I can hear Mr. Potter crying out in pain on the floor. 

"Focus! Money! Now!" The robber orders me, while waving with his gun.  
I simply do as I'm told and grab some small change, the only money that remains in the register. 

"More, more!"  he shouts, while pointing his gun at me. He quickly glances outside, probably expecting the police to arrive, then resumes shouting at me. "More!"

"That's all, I swear!" I shout with my arms in the air, closing my eyelids, expecting to be shot.

But then...out of the blue....a brilliant white flash, not unlike a lightning strike, illuminates the shop. 
Suffice to say that I'm completely blinded by this event, even though my eyelids were still shut. 

After blinking a few times, I can finally see again. And what I see next, is even more surprising than the flash. The robber... is lying motionlessly on the floor, right next to a still very upset and bleeding Mr. Potter.

What the heck? What happened just now? 

The robber is bleeding from his chest, where now a big red circular shaped stain can be seen. I think I even see smoke coming from that area. What the heck? Was he actually struck by lightning? 
No...there was no thunder, so no lightning strike. 

When I feel that I can think clearly again, I focus on Mr. Potter. His forehead is bleeding, but he's at least conscious. But he seems beyond upset...he's terrified! He keeps staring at me.

Before I can walk to him and ask him if he's okay, I notice the terror in his eyes.

"No! No! My god...please no. Please don't kill me!" He glances at the robber, then back at me.

He's really looking at me! I point at myself and ask "Huh? What? Me? Why would I hurt you? Are you okay? I called the police, let me....help.....you...."

But then I feel dizzy......another bright flash follows..... and I lose consciousness.