by Daniel Xiao Wang

Created on: October 14, 2010

Customer Service

October is my favorite time of the year. The weather starts to cool and the heat is not nearly so oppressive, even with the humidity. The nights are the best.

So, being stuck at work on a night like this isn't exactly what I would call ideal. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have a job, the economy here in Southwest Florida is still pretty terrible. But on nights as perfect as this I would rather be out with the girls.

Early October like this, in a poor economy, the store simply isn't busy. Another night wasted standing around while nothing happens. My pocket started vibrating- my cell phone. At least being here alone I can get away with a little texting without anybody knowing. The text was from Jenn.

“at chilis, toms here miss u”

Great. While my friends were across the street enjoying dinner I sat here working and bored. And Tom was there. Of all nights for him to come out with us.

I walked around the counter to mindlessly stroll along the props and decorations. A Halloween Superstore like this my job was, by nature, temporary. I could endure this until then, I would be out with the gang next month. I should be grateful that my uncle got this job for me.

Knives, guns, swords and the such. They all looked so fake. Nothing scary about these. I have always loved Halloween, but whatever happened to that bone-chilling fear? Nothing here could scare anyone.

“Slow night like always. Miss you. Come see meeeee? <3” I texted Jenn back.

Rows of costumes surrounded me as I stepped into the next isle. Monk, pirate, priest, ninja, ape... all the typical, non-scary crap. I sighed silently to myself, nothing impressive here. Around the corner I came to the wigs and masks.

The doors chimed. Jenn is here already? I raced down the aisle and passed the masks. Suddenly a chill ran down my spine as all the masks surrounding me stared down at me with their void, lifeless eyes. The temperature in the store dropped ten degrees.

I started to run, but the aisle only seemed to get longer and longer. Evil and demonic faces stared down at me, mocking me, daring me to run faster- run out the door for my life in blind fear.

I came to a halt. Stopping to collect myself. I stood about halfway down the aisle, maybe ten feet from the end. This was more than a little crazy. The aisle isn't this long, I've walked down it a million times. I fought to bring my breathing under control and with measured steps I walked to the end of the aisle. Despite

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