The Shopkeeper

Flashing red " 

the motel sign in the distance

leaves a line across his face as he scurries towards it 

As the cold air sends a shiver down his spine, he pulls the glove off one hand; 

Exhaling, he pushes open the door and the tingle takes him by surprise 

He wasn’t expecting that

The dusty aisles of the motel grocery store surround him slowly 

as he looks at each item.

His eyes darting from left to right, analysing everything he could see. 

Pancake Mix…

A large carton full of Oreos 

Cranberry juice maybe? 

No, nothing is of any use to him 

He can hear a whistle at the back of his head, creeping up his ear 

 and the low hum of the TV in the distance…

“Stop, make it stop”, he thinks to himself 

This noise is not for him 

Then all of a sudden: 

Thud, thud, thud, THUD

Why was his heart beating louder than usual? 

His palms sweating, he puts them into his pockets and they start to jingle a bit 

“NO, too loud”, he hisses to himself 

As he walks to the cashier, he picks up the closest magazine he sees

 " Seventeen Magazine: Your guide to all things girly"

It isn’t too strange, is it?

Look up, look up, look up 

Silly shopkeeper 

Why won’t he pay any attention? 

The bell tingles again, startling him and making his teeth chatter.

FREEZE! 

“But why? Why should I freeze?”

The cops pin him down as they rush towards the other side of the store 

Where the shopkeeper lies dead.