Serena

The monotonous buzz of the fluorescent light of the convenience store is the only background noise one can hear in this dead of night. The clock reads 2 AM; certainly the time where there's no longer humans roaming the streets. Certainly not here, on this relatively small city, on a corner store located at the edge of town.

It's a relief for Serena, who doesn't go out often. No one at Monday night. Hu... I was right. She was nervous. Her hands were shaking. Breath uneven through her mask. She doesn't want to be seen. She doesn't want to see anyone. She doesn't even want to see herself. Her heart almost stopped as she saw her weak reflection on the refrigerator glass. I have my mask... it's fine, it's fine... She slightly adjusted the black mask she was wearing. The mask is like her lifeline. No, it's not an exaggeration. I would kill myself on the spot if it felt off somehow.

The words sound like dark humor. But she's about halfway serious. No, maybe more. Maybe she IS serious. "...That would cause too much trouble though." She murmured under her breath as she picked up several 1L bottles of drinks from the shelves alongside multiple packs of instant noodles. Those item selections are probably quite unhealthy, but she doesn't look like she particularly cares.

...The cashier. She glanced at the person behind the desk, with a nametag called Guest. It's fine. They won't ask too much. It's just them doing their job. I'll just pay. Pay and leave. Easy. It's easy. She adjusted her bangs so it covered her left eye—no, there's no longer an eye there. Just an empty socket. Please don't see it. Please.

Uncertain steps. Slow and steady. "Excuse me." She said with the lowest voice possible. "These items please."