6 September 2012
Her smiles were feigned yet modest, her actions pleasing yet desperate, her hair tied in a professional manner. All she knew was she needed this job.
"Alright, Mimi. I know this is your first day..." the young man started with an outward laziness leaning on the wall. "We're going to... Do work..." She looked at him with slight puzzlement but proceeded to follow him. They started out with no basic training and he led her through task after task, only onlooking her work.
"Alright. You just continue there... And.. I'll...." he trailed off as he walks away, leaving her by herself on register. She knew it wasn't fair but she needed a job.
After taking a few customers, her face reddened. A familiar face with a quick half smile. She couldn't help but shake nervously, part angered and part sad. Just as quickly as he came, he left. Her first thoughts were why him and why her register when the others were already open while she had two prior customers.
The two crowded around her station and one gave her a look. "Did you see her so nervous to that last customer?!" The other one scoffed. "Girl, that was her ex!" "I was so nervous! I didn't know what to do! I was like 'nuuuuuuu!' " Mimi let out. The night continued with the two black employees consoling her.
Later that night, she finishes her shift by going outside to sweep.
A plump Asian man waddles over to her with a stern expression. "Mimi!" he calls, waddling over to her. "If you see Michael, tell him to call me. It is not good news." he says sternly with a shaking fist. She meekly okay's it and heads on his way.
At her best friend's apartment that she's house sitting, she calls him. No answer. She leaves a message.
"Hey Michael. It's Mimi. I'm just calling to let you know the manager came up to me and told me to tell you to call him... I'm sorry, dude, but it doesn't seem like good news... Well I just thought you ought to know since he told me to... Bye." She ends the call with a sigh, re-analyzing the day.
Meanwhile, the hustle and bustle of the town's traffic slows to a stop and horns blaze in confusion. A young pedestrian and his on-looking dog try to look forward towards the cause. In a bus loaded with young school passengers and two dogs, the bus driver slowly removes his hat at a strange, slightly metallic sound from above. The city ensues to slowly look above..
Suddenly the bus top splits in two downwards towards the kids and they all cry for help in the quaking bus. A moment of silence before they all gaze into the black abyss that lies above. The gazing child, now sprawled on the ground watches as the rest of the vehicles were split form the top.
It became apparent that something was there... And it wanted... All of them.
Everyone looks slowly towards the light that shines from the vehicles as the traffic is violently jerked upwards and violent agonizing screams escape from the victims. A metallic still unknown swift growl escapes from above.
At the same time, the girl slowly floated upwards in panic and then was violently jerked to the ground. Then there was darkness.
She slowly stirred to the sounds of city life. Eyes opening slowly in confusion, she awoke soundly in her bed... Not a clear memory of that night but a light notion of a nightmare that left a foul taste in her mouth.
Little did she know, the world around her was no longer the world she thinks it was...
Vivid Awakening • Opuss № I