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When my psychologist told me today was going to be a great day, I didn’t believe it, and right now I’m not believing it either.
Elliot sobs internally.
He had arrived early to work, and today he felt like being the cashier, even if it was the most boring role.
It was already night, and his shift was nearly over; he was getting ready to leave, but the sound of the entry bell stopped him. As if he knew what was coming, he slowly turned toward the counter in fear.
Elliot pales instantly; he could faint right now.
The 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, all in one place.
Pestilence.
— I’m starving dAaAAaaad. — C00lkidd cries, pulling on his father 007n7 who stood beside him with a tired look.
Famine.
— YoU BeTteR noT EaT iT ALL, C00lkidd!!!
Bluudud was on the other side of 007n7.
Capitalism.
— HEY, I PUT HALF MY SAVINGS INTO THIS PIZZA, I SHOULD EAT HALF OF THE PIZZA. — Says Pre3ty Princess very politely.
They were behind Bluudud.
Poverty.
007n7 takes a deep breath.
— Kids, kids. — 007n7 calls the kids’ attention. — Remember to share, I only have enough for one pizza, okay… — He says tiredly.
Elliot was trembling, he hadn’t even moved from his position.
His gaze meets 007n7’s, and he feels dizzy.
007n7 looked like he had just come out of a burning building, you could see burn marks on him and his strange burger hat had a large bite taken out of it. Basically, he was a man who had survived a thousand battles.
007n7 gives him a small exhausted smile that said, “forgive me, but I didn’t ask to be here either 🥀.”
— Uh... Kids, could you take a seat and behave while I place the order, yeah? — He says to the kids who now seemed to be in a staring contest, growling at each other. 007n7 can only sigh wearily.
He heads toward the cashier, ignoring that the little devils behind him didn’t listen at all and kept being stupid.
He approaches the cashier.
— Good evening…
Cricket sounds.
— Sorry for the inconvenience, Elliot… But these little kids really wanted a pizza, and well… This was the closest open place. — He says embarrassed.
Recovering from his earlier shock, Elliot felt angry.
He was about to walk up to 007n7 to give him a big scolding about why he shouldn’t be here; however, a brick flies past his cheek. Elliot could just close his eyes and faint now.
007n7, witness to it all, feels ashamed of whatever devil behind him had done it.
— Hey! — 007n7 looks back with some fear and nervousness. — Wha-what did I te-tell they about using their powers in public places like this!?
The little devils tense up when 007n7 scolds them.
— It was C00lkidd!! — Pre3ty Princess and Bluudud say at the same time, pointing their index fingers at the culprit.
— C00lkidd… — 007n7 feels a bit of disappointment, although he honestly expected it to be his son, but he still had hope.
C00lkidd can only hang his head in shame; 007n7 could say his son blushed from embarrassment... But his son is completely red...
— Dad, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. — C00lkidd makes puppy eyes with little tears threatening to fall.
007n7 suddenly doesn’t want to say anything to his son, that hurt puppy face only makes him want to grab those cheeks and squish them. 007n7 knows he’ll never be a good father if he can’t control the beast that is his son, he still has the vivid memory of how he bit a chunk off his hat while driving to the pizzeria, terrified.
— Let this be the last time, C00lkidd, or there’ll be no more c00lgui for you. — Says 007n7 trying to sound serious and stern.
— Okay…
C00lkidd can hear the others mocking him behind his back, being betrayed like this hurt him a lot, together they were supposed to cast Elliot's natural corruption out.
(You can tell these kids really love Elliot lolol).
007n7 turns his attention back to Elliot, who looked like he was in a trance with a terrified expression, 007n7 feels bad for Elliot’s pitiful situation.
— Elliot...
— GET OUT OF HERE!!! I don’t ever want to see you here again 007n7 with those demons, they only bring misfortune to my life.
007n7 is surprised by Elliot’s reaction.
Now it’s Elliot’s turn to be surprised.
— Elliot, please, have mercy on me!!! — 007n7 suddenly leans on the counter with a pleading look and clasped hands begging Elliot for help. — I just want a pizza... Just one Elliot, I’ll pay you!
That "I’ll pay you" really didn’t help him feel better, money certainly didn’t help when C00lkidd left him in a wheelchair while 007n7, who was supposed to be watching him, got distracted. Elliot feels three burning gazes on him. These demons are going to take him to the grave.
He’s had several tragic stories with these demons, but the worst and most numerous were with C00lkidd, because first, he’s the only one who lives close to his workplace, and the others seem to be from another universe... Yeah, really weird stuff.
— Ah... I can’t. If you stay here any longer; who knows what they'll do to me!!! — He says with a touch of paranoia.
— Them? — He looks back at the kids, they look like little angels. But 007n7 knows that’s all fake. — Hehe… Please, Elliot… I don’t want them to eat my cheeseburger…
Elliot can see the fear in 007n7’s eyes behind his glasses. He feels sympathy for him; being with those demons must be exhausting… And dangerous…
— Alright, but if anything happens… You’re paying me compensation.
007n7’s eyes light up.
— Thank you, Elliot! I really appreciate it.
Elliot just nods, but deep down he’s already regretting it, and heads to the oven area.
Minutes passed.
Elliot could already see the pizza was almost ready to come out of the oven and be served. However, he was feeling anxious… He felt like something bad was going to happen, something *really* bad...
The atmosphere is way too calm… Too... TOO calm.
His breathing starts speeding up; each breath is heavier than the last; he looks nervously around the room.
— Agh, calm down Elliot, everything’s fine, all good, yep all good, amazing.... — He tells himself in a useless attempt to calm down.
(Elliot is *not* okay, and don’t ask me why 🥀)
Suddenly, he hears the beep of the ready oven.
Elliot quickly takes out the pizza, begins all the steps to serve a pizza, cuts it and packs it.
— Here’s the pizza, please leave this place, thank you. — Says Elliot with his classic customer service smile.
— Thanks, Elliot. — 007n7 thanks him with a smile, and hands over the money.
Elliot watches as he slowly walks away and gives a big sigh of relief.
Just as he was halfway out with the pizza box in hand, 007n7 is attacked by the little devils, who jump on him.
Elliot can only gape in shock.
It looks like a zebra being attacked by lions… Oh no, now they’re fighting over the box… C00lkidd is eating his father’s hamburger.
… God, this looks like a National Geographic documentary, and I’m doing absolutely nothing to save him.
— I’d better go. — He thinks.