Work Text:
Disillusioned, Shin slotted the last few coins into the cash register and waited for more customers to appear. So this was his life. But he knew he shouldn’t complain, being the one who sought after the occupation in the first place. Some freedom from his parents… but really, it suffocated him more than anything. But it wasn’t as if he wished to do more with his life. Every other option seemed tedious or daunting…
Maybe he was truly weak after all… just like an old friend had always said.
He shook his head and grimaced. The thought of the man offered him nothing but mental disquiet. The memory of those jade eyes boring into him, the cold and eerie certainty that the patronizing menace enjoyed his fear, was enough for a noticeable shift in his demeanor. But he couldn’t have that at work.
Just as the next customer arrived, Shin plastered on a smile. “Good morning.”
The woman simply nodded, drilling on about something on her phone. Speaking unappreciated pleasantries here and there, Shin processed her payment and gave her her receipt. A bearded man came along next with a package of beer. Then a teen with a hunting knife. Some old lady. The cycle continued until closing.
~
Shin tightly bundled his blue scarf around his face. As the cold of the evening seeped into his skin, he couldn’t feel anything but discouraged. So this was it. Living a life as a minimum wage worker till death took him. So how’d he die? Some ragtag burglar taking advantage of him? A poor, unfortunate convenience store employee? A precarious slip despite the warnings of a neon yellow sign, falling on the brightly illuminated floors and breaking his neck upon impact? Even one of the customers… One had bought themselves a knife, and who knew for what? Just about everything seemed to brim with malicious intent nowadays... Suspicion tainted almost every comfort.
He let out a brittle laugh, a puff of freezing air escaping from his mouth. His mood immediately soured as he quickly readjusted the fabric. Gee. He really was a nervous, pathetic wreck. Collecting himself, he walked on.
Finding a bus stop, the wait began. The cold now penetrated his very bones. He should’ve been mindful to wear 7 layers instead of 5… what was he thinking? Winter was his least favorite season, the long, freezing moments out in the open one of his many reasons. The only good thing about it was that it made a good excuse not to be outside; he wasn’t any good at outdoor activities, anyway.
When the bus finally arrived, Shin slid himself into the warmth of the vehicle. He found himself surrounded by a motley crew of people, absentmindedly scrolling away on their phones or gazing out the window. Shin found himself a corner in the stuffy place and kept to it. Something ate at him… but he couldn’t discern what. The bus moved on.
He couldn’t help but shift a suspicious glance to the people that surrounded him. But its not like any of them would try anything… certainly not in a room filled with others. He deviated his gaze to the floor, filled with uncertainty. How could he be sure? He could feel eyes…. Eyes everywhere…
……………………………………………
He finally got off on his stop, breathing heavily.