The convenience store didn't have a single customer from how I saw it through the glass. Not surprising, it's already three in the morning. Even I don't usually go out this late, but tonight I just had to. That's life, always refuses to go your way.

With a whoosh, the automatic sliding door opened—blowing a cold breeze at my face. Whether it really felt cold or not was debatable, though, the outside wind might've been colder. I took my first step on the nylon doormat and ironically it was a bit warmer inside even with an AC.

Ah the small store, always in for that homey atmosphere I never felt back at the dorm. Double door fridges on one corner, all of them filled with all sorts of beverages, from energy drinks to milkshakes. The greater part of the establishment were shelves, featuring RTE meals, candies, powdered drinks like coffee and juice, while the open space near the door sported weekly magazines stacked on a steel rack. The counter was located at the corner near the door, with a blonde behind it.

Her hair was pulled to a shoddy ponytail that left curly strands dangle on the sides of her face. White shirt and jeans, average height, in her later teens. I frequent this store, almost every other day, but surprisingly it's the first time I've seen her. Either she was new or her shift was late night; probably the latter. She was far from ugly, though she wasn't too stunning either. How do I put this... She was plain, except for her cold blue eyes that seemed to stare blankly at the distance.

Her fingers drummed the desk with her eyes drooping and cheek cupped on hand. Lack of customers meant lack of work, it seemed. When the door zipped close behind me her head turned my way.

“Hey.” She got up from her slump with a yawn.

“... Me?”

She narrowed on me with drunk eyes. If I didn't know anything better her stare felt more like hate-at-first-sight, though that's stupid—almost never happens unless the stranger utterly looks like an alpha jerk. Do I look like one?

“There's really no one here other than us, is there?”

“… A good point.”

Though she could've been a little nicer to a stranger. She's pissed, alright. I drew close and lent my ears.

“Something wrong?”

“Oh, nothing wrong.” She waved her hand. “Just want to let you know that we are currently accepting part-timers.”

“Hmm... Really?” I clutched my chin.

“Oh?”

Her cold blue eyes just turned colder from the suspicious glare she was giving me.

“You're probably thinking ‘Why do we even need an extra hand when we don't even have customers’ right?” She said with a raised brow and a scowl.

"Oh no, that didn't even cross my mind." I cramped a smile and waved my hand.

... Totally wasn't expecting her to be the bitchy cynical rebel type. I mean, she's blonde, she's supposed to be that naive and cheerful girl and—oh, I'm sorry, I'm a stereotyping jerkass. I'll stop now.

“I know it's just because of the time.” I threw in an affable smile with matching crinkled slits for eyes.

The people around these parts aren't nocturnal, so when the clock hits twelve you can invariably expect to see not a soul wandering the streets. But that doesn't mean a convenience store can just take down the ‘open 24 hrs’ sign, it wouldn't be so convenient then.

"... You're weirder than I thought." She muttered under her breath.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." Her eyes rolled skyward. "Anyway, I just thought you'd be interested. In case you're wondering what kind we're looking for, it's a janitor."

"Ah... I see, I'll give it some thought, then." I said.

I don't think I would spend a lot of time thinking, though, since it was pretty much decided. I don't need extra pocket money. On top of that, I'm already busy juggling college life as it is, why would I want to add an extra ball? I'm not a masochist.

She gave a satisfied nod and I left for the shelves.

I stopped by the aisle where the powdered goods were shelved and picked up the usual 10's instant coffee—it was a blue four-by-four box that depicted on the front a coffee mug that had "Sandy's" on it. Ironic, since it tasted just like sand. How did I know how sand tasted like? I don't, though it's probably tasteless. Unless it's from a beach, then it's salty. Maybe.

I returned to the counter and handed the girl the box of coffee along with two cards—one my payment card while the other my student ID. Ten percent student discount.

She scanned the item and typed away on her terminal, while a yawn escaped me as I waited. Sleep, why are you always so far away?

"Going out this late for a box of coffee?" She gave me a side glance as she put the coffee box inside a white plastic bag.

"Yeah, I forgot to buy yesterday, I was too busy." My shoulders slumped.

"But can't you just get one tomorrow?"

"Of course not, we're talking about my lifeline you know?" I chuckled.

Her lips curved to a smile, revealing a row of sparkly white teeth.

"Well, here." She handed me the bag, and I made my exit.

---

Outside was freezing, and that's coming from someone who just came out of an establishment that had a powerful AC set to 14. I wondered if it would snow, but then again it wouldn't have anything to do with me. I started walking down the sidewalk of the desolate street, passing by the usual row houses of blue walls and maroon roofs. Nothing new, I walked without paying my surroundings any mind.

A few blocks before I reach my destination however, I didn't know if it was drowsiness or the fatigue, but my vision started to blur. A second passed and I could already see black spots dotting my sight, multiplying faster than horny people on meth. It didn't take long for them to envelope the entirety of my blurred vision.

The next thing I felt was my heart slamming against my ribcage, accompanied with a heavy thud that echoed throughout the dead-silent street. I tried to get up, but not a drop of strength entered my four limbs. There was a panicked shouting from the distance, but my mind was too hazy to make something of it.

Footsteps. They drew closer every second, but before they reached me, my consciousness already said farewell.

---

I was surrounded by black brick walls and a high, domed ceiling of same color. There was no lighting except from an arched glass window on the far side letting a peculiar purple light in. The air was stagnant as well as cold, just like wherever I laid. So dark, so creepy, fear crept up my chest like a nightcrawler, but not because of the surroundings.

Hovering above my face was another's face. A wrinkled, ghastly pale face of a forty-something man, only that there were purple all over the surface of his skin. They were like veins underneath, making his white skin seem translucent. For some reason, his mouth was agape like he just lost his jaw, and his gunmetal eyes sparkled with tears of joy.

He straightened, spread his arms wide and raised his chin upward, as if thanking the skies. Or the ceiling, for that matter.

“The Dark Lord of Asteria... has returned!” He spoke in a deep, trembling voice that hinted awe and triumph.

The what has what? I didn't understand, why wasn't I screaming like a little girl?