Ember's Eve

WAYLAY

Present Day...
                          8pm
Daunthill
21st December 2020

The bright fluorescent lights in the store sufficed for the encroaching night's darkness. Every corner sniffed of air-conditioning and new clothing. The store was nearly empty and the time was indifferent just like Kenneth had planned.

The air-conditioner above Dimitri showed off its ability as he stared at the hoodie in his hands. He couldn't tell if he was more excited by the suave surface which comforted his fingers as he moved them hither and thither or the grey colour which naturally affected his senses.

Thehoodie looked like the one his mom had made for him six years ago for hiseleventh birthday back in Atlanta. She was quite a handy woman. He'd loved thehoodie, not just because of the silly designs she'd put on it, but because ofthe time and energy she'd spent working on it.

He remembered how he'd worn the hoodie all the time until Cole spilled meatball sauce which never got off. Dimitri had flown out the handle. He'd eyed Cole with fumes.

His arms crossed on his chest, he turned left to see Kenneth still engaged in his vague conversation with the checkout guy. Dimitri quietly approached their colloquy.

"So... how long has this store been around?" asked Kenneth.

"I don't know," the checkout guy blurted, his eyes observing a window-shopper. "I got employed this holiday."
"For real?"

Kenneth furrowed his brows. "You look like you've been here your whole life."

The checkout guy stared intently at the man in the Christmas elf mask in front of him. Suddenly a grey hoodie accompanied by some other clothes fell on the counter. After a few beeps from the bar code reader he said, "that'll be 90 DE"

"90?" queried Kenneth. "Don't you guys have a holiday sale or something?"
"Yeah, that's the discount price."
Kenneth fiddled with his wallet before slamming some Daunthill Euros on the tiled counter. "I'll do my best to leave a horrible review on Google," he snapped.

Dimitri shook his head as he picked up the bag of clothes and followed Kenneth. Lifting his free hand, he attempted to scratch his face but Kenneth caught sight of this and scolded him.

"Stop touching your face kid, you'd smear the paint."

"Then why the hell did your driver friend get one mask?" Dimitri asked.

"Kid,' Kenneth drawled. "We've been through this already. The store was out of masks."

"Whatever bro," sighed Dimtri as he paced forward before being encumbered by Kenneth's hand.

"What now?" he asked.

"Shh," Kenneth whispered looking at two window-shoppers from the corners of his eyes. "Those two guys. There's something off about them. They've been here since we walked in and haven't bought anything."

"Sure" said Dimtri staring staidly at Kenneth's elf mask. "I can barely take you serious with that thing on."

"Stop messing around and take a look"
Kenneth spun Dimitri's head to look in his desired direction.

Dimitri caught sight of two men at the other end of the store both in different sections not far from each other.

Dimitri observed the one in the baseball cap staring at what seemed to be a teddy bear.

"What the heck is he doing in the women's section?" Dimitri thought aloud as he noticed the second window-shopper.

Dimitri let go of the shopping bag in his hand and hot-footed towards the man who was in the women's.