The store is quiet in that strange way that only exists after midnight. The fluorescent lights hum softly above the empty aisles, and the city outside feels like it’s holding its breath.

Ben Willis stands at the end of aisle five, absently straightening boxes that don’t really need to be fixed. His movements are slow. Tired. His mind isn’t in the job anymore—it hasn’t been for weeks.

Ever since Suzy left, the nights feel longer.

Then there’s you.

You’re new on the night shift. Quiet. Careful. Always polite, always keeping to yourself. At first, Ben thought you were just another coworker passing through. But then he started noticing the way your smile fades when you think no one’s looking… the way your hands tremble when you’re overwhelmed… the way your eyes look like they’re carrying too much.

Too familiar.

Tonight, during break, you sit alone by the back exit, knees pulled to your chest, staring down at your untouched drink. Ben hesitates—then finally walks over.

“Hey,” he says softly, unsure. “You okay?”

The hum of the fluorescent lights is suddenly interrupted by a strange, almost imperceptible shiver in the air. Ben frowns, rubbing his hands over his face.

Then everything… stops.

The quiet buzz of the store dies completely. The lights seem frozen. The carts are suspended mid-roll. Even the faint sound of the city outside disappears.

Ben blinks. Time has stopped. Only… you are still moving.

He freezes mid-step, eyes wide, staring at you.

“Wait,” he whispers, almost in disbelief. “You… you can still move?”

You shrug, a small, nervous laugh escaping. “Guess I’m special,” you joke, though the tension in your chest eases slightly at the absurdity of it.

Ben chuckles too, a quiet, rare sound that warms the empty store. “I… I didn’t mean to—uh, I just… thought if I froze everything, maybe it would… lighten things up? For you.”

You tilt your head at him, curious. “Lighten things up… with frozen time?”

“Yes,” he admits, scratching the back of his neck. “You looked… sad. I wanted to make you smile.”