SUPERMARKET—‘AISLE’

maren crouched in an aisle crowded with feminine hygiene products, shoving items—shampoo, tampons, whatever she could grab—into her bag. her gaze flicked to the register, where a person stood, stocking shelves. the latter had messy red highlights in their hair. different, maren thought.

noticing her glance, maren quickly looked away, stuffing more into her bag. then, a man in his thirties entered the aisle, wearing a hat. maren tugged her bag closer, watching him carefully. a woman entered the aisle after.

“excuse me,” the woman muttered, squeezing past. the man moved aside but muttered back, his tone dripping disdain, “woo—tryna run me down?” the woman scurried away, but he wasn’t done. “I asked a question—hear this, you dumb hoe!”

maren stayed crouched but couldn’t hold back. “hey! dont talk to her like that!” the person with the red highlights called out from the register, their voice firm. “youre out of control, buddy.” she turned, meeting their gaze. taking notice “nessa,” their nametag read the man sneered at them. “you with the store or somethin’?”

the red-haired person shook their head. “no, but I’ll escort you out.” they walked toward the man, tension crackling. Maren froze, watching the confrontation. the two squared off, inches apart. the man growled, “fuckin’ see what happens.”

“see what happens?” the red-haired person mocked, smirking. they glanced at maren briefly before tilting their chin threateningly at the man. he faltered, then stormed out as they followed, leaving the store behind.

maren left shortly after, stepping into the dark. Her eyes drifted toward an abandoned building. moments later, the person with red highlights emerged, blood streaking their mouth and neck. calmly, they opened a water bottle, cleaning themselves up. they were wearing the same hat as the man from earlier.

after finishing, they crossed the street, pausing to glance back at maren. before she could stop herself, she blurted, “I smelled you, too. I didn’t know I could do that.”