The girl was still sitting in the same position, chin on palm, staring at nothing. Hearing the sound of the footsteps, she fixed her posture and stopped leaning on the chair.
"Do you need any help, Sir?"
"What's the closing time?"
"10:00 p.m."
"It's 9:57."
"You're lying."
"Just check your phone."
"Time went by so fast. Did someone increase life's playback speed?"
"No. I don't think so."
"You're no fun. Lighten up a little."
"The burden on my shoulder is quite heavy."
"Are you a spy? No. No. That can't be. Dark circles under your eyes are telling me that you are the father of at least seven children. Am I right?"
"Totally wrong. I'm single like the sun."
"That's not something you should be proud of."
"Whatever. When you are going to leave?"
"Are you going to rob this place?"
"I'm not a thief."
"Every thief says the same thing."
"This is not an interrogation room."
"At least let me play the bad cop. If you do that, I promise, I'll answer your every question."
"I don't have the time to play your games."
"Then, I also need to close this shop. It's already two past ten."
"Alright. Alright. We'll play tomorrow sweet cheeks"
"Don't placate me like a child."
"Why would I do that? You are an adult."
"I'm not an idiot. I know what you are trying to do here."
"Just think whatever you want."
"Tch... You kill fun with every breath you take."
"Stop exaggerating. And please just tell me two things—opening time of the bookstore, and does this shop open every day of the week?"
"Why do you wanna know those things? Do you have a crush on me?"
"I just want to buy books. Look, I've got few of them in my hands. I intend to buy them tonight."
"We're open every day of the week. And our opening hours are flexible. But usually the store is open by 10:10."
Everything went smoothly after that, Neal handed over the books, and the cash to the girl sitting on the counter, who scanned the books quickly with a barcode reader, and almost immediately returned the exact change.
"You are good with the numbers."
"I have my talents."
"See you tomorrow."
"You'll still come back."
"I like to waste my time."
"This is the perfect place for you then."
"Goodbye."
"Don't turn back."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"You said something. I heard it."
"Just wanted to raise a death flag."
"Raise it, when you're all alone."
"Now where is the fun in that?"
"You're impossible to understand."
"I'm an enigma alright. But people know me better as Paula Payne."
Neal Martz was already moving out of the store with his purchase.
"At least tell me your name?"
"You are better off not knowing my name."
"Are you cursed or something?"
"No. I'm just unforgettable."
"Ugh... Your cringey words just gave me nausea."
"I can't deal with you right now. My name is Neal Martz."
After introducing himself, Neal left in a hurry. He jogged away from the bookstore, stood under a street lamp, paid tribute to the ripper by tipping his invisible Victorian hat.
Paula came out of the store, gazed into the dimly lit street, stared into the darkness, saw nothing, shook her tiny head and went back inside. Within 10 minutes, she tidied up the store, locked its door and dropped the metal shutter.
She went eastwards, jumping up and down like a little girl. She even swung her purse like a nunchuck to destroy an invisible enemy.
He gazed at her departing figure, appreciated her childish innocence, but still made fun of her weird antics.
It was time for him to find another shelter, he couldn't stay in the dark. Every silhouette, every shadow, even the sound of the wind made him afraid.
Danger could appear from anywhere, the sky might crash like glass, fall on his body, and crush him into several little pieces.