"To be left behind by your partner is a bad feeling"
"You're cold. How about stopping by that convenience store? Warm yourself with thick clothes," First proposed a solution to overcome her shivers from the cold. He can see her every move.
They found a convenience store, Midnight Store is its name. Second went in there and saw a man who looked like in his late 20s at the cashier, asleep while sitting at the counter. He was startled and woke up when she entered the store.
"Good evening," he greeted her with a smile while still rubbing his eyes. She smiled at him in her form of greeting.
She wandered around and grabbed food and drinks. She also got a black and thick jacket, a white T-shirt, gray gloves, a gray bonnet, and a black scarf. It's interesting because this convenience store is spacious. Aside from food and drinks that are sold, there are also clothes, shoes, office supplies, and many more. Interestingly, she can also feel tired, cold, and hungry in this virtual game, just like a real person in the real world.
She went to the counter to pay. She reached into the pocket of her skirt, and there was a hole in it! She meant not literally, but her pocket is empty. She briefly removed the clutch from the pocket.
"2,230, Ma'am." He had just finished scanning all her purchases.
"W-What?" she stuttered.
"Ma'am, all of these for 2,230," he repeated.
This is bad. She only noticed she didn't even have cash with her after he scanned the items. A habit of the Earth, where almost everything has to be paid for with money, but she also got used to the castle, where everything is free. She scratched her head.
"Check your pocket," she almost yelped because First startled her.
She reached into her pocket again and found a piece of paper. There's something in here. She pulled it out of her pocket and... Voila! She is holding 2 one-thousandths, 1 two-hundredths, 1 twenty, and 1 ten coins. Exactly 2,230!
"I bought some cash from the inventory."
This virtual game is really something, and there is an inventory. After First said that, he turned off the communication to save time because their communication is limited. She sat in the vacant seat and ate. After eating, she put on the white T-shirt she bought. She put on a black jacket, wrapped a black scarf around her neck, and wore a gray bonnet and gloves. The night is full of silence. People must be asleep and early sleepers in this setting. First suggested that Second take a good rest and try to adapt her body to this temperature and surroundings. And because she got bored and she was the only customer here, she talked to the cashier.
"Have you been here a long time?"
He was sleepy a while ago, so this might help him not to let his guard down. He cleans tables and chairs.
"Ah, not too long. I'm a college student, and this is my part-time job," he smiled shyly.
"I see. Why are you the only one watching over here?"
She noticed that he's the only staff member here and no one helps him, even though she's the only customer.
"The others slept first, dog tired."
"You too." He was asleep earlier, probably because he's also tired. She feels bad for interrupting his sleep.
"It's not strange for me to be sleepy. My co-workers often get angry with me because I always sleep while on duty, so I put up with it first." This guy is kind of funny.
Second observed what's outside. The glass wall is common in convenience stores, so the outside view is visible. It's still the same except that no more people are walking outside. The parked cars are gone. Some of the streetlights are flickering. The wind is getting stronger, so the trees are dancing. The snow became heavy. She can't go out yet because the weather is not good, especially since she doesn't know where to go after. She sipped a hot chocolate drink.
"Why do people here sleep so early?"
She lives in a busy city on Earth. Even at midnight, there are still people who seem to have no break from work. There are still vehicles, people roaming around, and stores open.
"That's really how people here. Sleep early and confine themselves."
"Does that mean there are only a few customers in this store during this time?"
"Yeah." He had just finished wiping the tables and chairs. He went back to the counter and seemed to check the money. No wonder he's sleepy. One can easily become sleepy with this type of job.
"Of course, if you work here, you must be living near here?" She hoped she would not irritate him, but this one is a vital question.
"Yes, why?"
"I just want to ask if," she paused. Nothing wrong with asking this, right? And they need information because they're in a foreign place. "Do you know the serial killer named Zarod? Or have you heard something about him?"
She just thought that maybe he had an idea about Zarod, and maybe the information she would gather would help First and her to locate him. If Zarod is a famous serial killer, they must have heard of him. Or is her question too straightforward?
A face with innocent eyes, he stared at her seriously. Did she say something wrong?
He smiled, so she took a deep breath because she thought there was something wrong with what she asked.
"No. I haven't heard of him," he replied.
He turned his gaze to what he was doing. He recounts the money in the cash register. She frowned and stared at her reflection on the glass wall.
"Because I know him very well."
She looked back at him and was surprised. The man who was at the cashier earlier was already in front of her. And his face was close to hers, like ten inches away.