Gas Station

I recently lost my job, so I was browsing the ads for anything in my area. I found a gas station that was hiring for a nighttime shopkeeper, and paid triple the normal rate for the position, so I signed up. I should’ve known something was off when they accepted and send over the papers just an hour later.

The manager was already waiting when I arrived at the gas station, he stood in front with a smile and led me inside. “Did you read the full contract?” He asked while we walked to the counter. “Yes, I am to work 7 days a week 6 hours each night from 12am till 6am, till a second night shift shopkeep can be found.” He nodded “Good, good, I hope it’s not too inconvenient.” I shrugged “With the pay you are offering, it is alright.” The manager chuckled.

The counter was old, seems to have been stuck in the 90’s, but at least everything worked and even had a card scanner. “You will mostly be here the whole night, evening shift should have managed to set everything up beforehand.” I sat down, the chair was old yet comfortable. “The tech here is a bit outdated I know, but you shouldn’t have too many customers come by.” I smiled. “As long as I don’t have to count on an Abacus, I am fine.” Manager chuckled. He looked at his watch, it was 10 to 12am. “Well, I will be leaving. There is some information by the previous workers below the counter, and feel free to grab anything from staff room.” The manager said as he bolted away.

After the manager left, I looked around. The place was stuck in early 90’s with décor to support it. While it all looked run down, at the same time, I didn’t manage to see any Mold, cracks or even ripped wallpaper. There was no item scanner, but all the prices on products were labelled. I spent the first hour, learning all I could about the place, even took a snack from the staff room, it was mostly fruits or chocolate bars. Not a big choice, but better than nothing.

As I returned to the counter, I remembered manager said something about information under the table. I reached out and pulled out a simple A4 paper. ‘Monster guide’ I chuckled reading the title.

‘You might think this is a joke, but this will save you your sanity and life.’ I stop laughing, I have listened to enough creepy pasta to at least consider this as a real.

‘The night will start fine, 12 to 1:30 or 2 is going to be fine’ I looked at the watch showing 1 and felt relieved I did not miss anything. ‘People do not come during the night, but other things show up.’ I look around but saw nothing as of yet. ‘At 3 you will feel as if there is someone behind you all the time, DO NOT TURN AROUND. If you need to grab something from behind, just say sorry, and ask for it, it will hand it to you. It leaves whenever it feels like it, sometimes it waits for you to leave at the end of the shift.’ A shiver ran down my spine. ‘At 2, sometimes a bit earlier, a man will show up at the far window of the store. Don’t make eye contact, each time you do, he will be closer, if he ever enters the shop, hide in the staff room and hope he won’t get you till the end of shift.’ I look at the staff room. ‘You might wonder why not stay there the whole night, well, if it feels you are evading it, it will come look for you.’

‘Rest of the creatures will come randomly for business of their own. A lady in red will come and try to buy something with a 100-dollar bill. Don’t speak to her, not a word, just shake your head. If she asks to break it, shake your head no. if she offers exact change, nod. And whatever you do, don’t accept the 100 as a bonus, tip or gift, she will take your life for it.’

‘There will be twins, we call them twins, but they just look like monstrosities, but they always come in pair. While one will try to buy what he wants, the other will try to rob you, just shout “I’m telling Anna”, as loud and commanding as you can and they should put things back. They are harmless, just tend to steal too much.’

‘a lot of other random creatures will pass by, but don’t pay too much attention to them, they are just here to shop. If any of the customers get too pushy, start to lean on the counter, press the button under the table, but make sure it’s not an accident or misinterpretation, or Janice will punish you instead.’

‘Gerald will be a 8-foot-tall thing trying to pass off being a man. He will say he has issues with his motor and ask for you to look into… do not go near the car, Gerald will drag you away if you do.’

‘Last is Sandy. She is a succubus, she will try everything she can to try and get you to kiss her, to drain your soul out of your body.’

I put the paper away. “Fuck this seems like it might be dangerous… or fun.”

I sat and leaned back in the chair. As said, close to 2am, a man showed up far off end of the shop. His face was void of anything, eyes hollow, he was thin as if there was no body mass besides the skin and bones and… he was naked. I tried to look away, but I failed a few times and glanced over, he was slowly creeping closer each time.

Few customers came in. Some werewolf looking, some slimes and undead with rotting flesh. As per paper, most were very casual, greeted, got their stuff and left. I served a dozen or so, when one of them said. “Hey do you know anything about cars? My motors sounding a bit weird.” “Oh yea, I did some mechanic stuff at school, might give some input.” Just as I lifted the counter cover to leave, I remembered. “Nice try Gerald, but I heard about you. Sorry, you will have to deal with it yourself.” The large man just smiled an inhumanly wide smile and left without saying a word.

A shiver ran down my spine as I felt eyes in my back. I looked down, it was 3:20am. “Can you pass me a pack of Malboro?” a dark hand reached from behind me holding the cigarettes. “Thanks.” I kept working. The chill, the want to turn around pressured me hard, but I followed through with the rules. “I will call you Jeff.” “I like it.” A low voice came from behind me. “I like the name Jeff, John.” My eyes widened, how did it know my name? I was not wearing a name tag. “How do you know my name?” a low chuckle came from everyone around. “We all know who you are, you signed a contract with all of us. You are our keeper.”

I was about to turn and say something, when a lady in red walked up. “Could I have a packet of Canes?” “Sure Jeff, packet of Canes.” As the black hand showed up again with the Canes in hand. I reached out to get it, just to realise… I had lost a finger. “Thank you dear.” I remembered the part of the red lady. “I only have this 100, could you please break it?” I shook my head. “Sorry, could you speak up?” I just shook my head. “you know what, just keep the rest as a tip for doing such a great job.” She smirked. “Last one lost an arm before he caught up.” The red lady took the money and left exact change. “See you around boy.” She said before leaving.

Another hour passed by, I slipped a few glances at the man in the window, he was getting quite close. One time I came back to the customer, he was reddish and very annoyed. “Can you just do your damn job and scan my items.” I scanned his items. “92$” “What do you mean 92$” He grabbed me by the collar, heat pushing into me from his touch. “I should just beat you and take it for free.” I pressed the button below the counter. A large Jeep stopped by the entrance. A massive woman built like the hulk came out. The man let go “O-Oh Janice… I was just joking around.” Janice, without asking, looking or caring, grabbed the man by the neck and tossed him into the jeep. She nodded towards me and left. “Note to self, do not piss off Janice.”

I saw someone creeping out the door. “STOP!” I shouted. “I will call Anna.” The thing turned a round and placed the stuff back.

The hours went by fast. The customers were mostly friendly, except the ones Janice had to deal with. The few special cases just helped him stay awake and on edge. Thinking about it, he was even okay with the weird man in the window. He checked once more, the man was nowhere to be seen. A realization hit, he was inside.

John clicked the Janice button and rushed to the staff room. He heard knocks and scratches form outside. “Open up, I know you are there.” A low old man voice said. The scratching and beating intensified. I waited for Janice. I heard her steps. I felt at ease, till I heard heavy knocks on the door, making the door shake in the hinges. “You disturbed me for no reason.” Beautiful and charming voice said. I knew it was Janice but could not believe. “But the man.” “Not a customer.” She hammered on the door even harder.

Fear filled me, the door was not going to hold on. I hid in the corner. The banging intensified, growing more powerful and rapid. “I will show you how to awaken me for no reason.” The doors flew out with hinges. I curled up in a ball. They both stepped closer. Slowly, as if to enjoy the sensation of my fear, they milked me for it at their slow approach.

The old man’s hands were reached outward, large, long nails few inches from my face, when I heard the clock hit 6am. The hands were gone, so was Janice. The door was in place once again. “Fuck that was scary.” I said out load, wiping off my cold sweat. “It was fun and nice escape from mundane.”

John returned to his counter. Morning shift was late. A woman was standing at the counter, tapping it with her finger. “Do you know how long I was waiting?” “Wha…” “Do you know who I am, I will report this lack of attention to your superiors.” I thought back on the monsters and all that happened… It was fun, Horrific and scary, but fun… But I ain’t dealing with no god damn Karen. “You know what. Fuck this, I quit. I ain't dealing with a Karen”