Chapter 3

Kara's POV

I drove down the deserted street, the rain pounding against the windshield and making it difficult to see. It was eerily quiet. The only sound was the hum of the engine and the swish of the wipers as they cleared the raindrops from the glass.

I felt a sense of unease as I looked around, taking in the empty buildings and darkened storefronts. Where was everyone?

Seeking refuge from the rain, I hurriedly parked my car and rushed towards the store. As I stepped inside, the soothing warmth enveloped me, providing solace from the tempest outside.

The quietness of the store was a stark contrast to the raging storm, and I found myself instinctively humming along to the soft background music that floated through the aisles.

Grocery shopping alone felt peculiar, as it was something Aurora had always taken charge of. I had longed for these simple outings, but she had adamantly refused each time, causing me to eventually abandon my requests.

Filling my shopping cart with the necessities, I made my way towards the counter to complete my purchase. The sound of a woman's laughter reached my ears, drawing my attention to the cashier who was engrossed in her phone, her back turned to me.

Her vibrant pink hair caught my eye as I approached, and her unconventional appearance exuded an air of coolness and edginess. She wore a black t-shirt with a band logo emblazoned on the front, and her arms were covered in tattoos. A few silver hoops dangled from her earlobes, and a small nose ring glinted in the light.

Her gaze was fixated on the device in her hands, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

The atmosphere in the store grew increasingly unsettling as I realized I was the only customer in sight.

Anxiety began to gnaw at me, questioning the emptiness of this part of the city. Was it the relentless rain that kept people away? Gazing out of the window, the downpour appeared to create a veil of silence around the store, isolating it from the outside world.

As the cashier finally acknowledged my presence, genuine surprise flashed across her face. She hastily pocketed her phone and turned towards me, her confusion evident. Her brown eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and intrigue, drawing me into their depths. For a moment, I found myself captivated by her presence.

"I'm sorry," she said, running her fingers through her vibrant hair. "Did you wait long?"

"Not really," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

She let out a deep sigh and studied me intently, her piercing gaze lingering on my eyes. A hint of an indescribable expression flickered across her face before she focused her attention on the transaction at hand.

"Will that be cash or credit?" she inquired, her eyes never leaving mine.

Feeling a surge of nervousness, I handed her my credit card, hoping for a smooth transaction. The seconds stretched into eternity as she swiped the card, her gaze fixed on the screen. Anticipation coiled within me until the display illuminated with the word "approved."

Handing me the credit card and receipt, the cashier leaned on the counter, her chin resting on her palm. Her gaze wandered, studying my features intently. "You're new in town, aren't you? I don't recall seeing you around here before."

"Yes, I just moved here," I responded, trying to hide my nerves.

She scanned the items on the receipt, her eyes occasionally flicking towards me. "Well, welcome to the neighborhood. I hope you find it to your liking."

With a last glance at the cashier, I stepped out of the store and into the relentless downpour, shivering as the cold droplets soaked through my clothes.

I pulled up the hood of my jacket and started to walk, my shoes splashing in the puddles that had formed on the pavement. The rain was coming down so hard that I could barely see in front of me. My eyes scanned the surroundings for my car, only to find it absent from where I had parked it.

Panic gripped me as I dashed across the street, racing to where I thought I had left my car. But as I approached, my worst fears were confirmed.

The car door was wide open, and the inside was in disarray, a chaotic scene of ransacked belongings strewn across the seats. I rushed over to the car and looked inside, my heart sinking as I saw that the tires were flat and the gas had been stolen.

A surge of anger and frustration welled up inside me when the realization of what had happened set in. How could someone violate my personal space like this? The rain continued to pour, blending with the tears of frustration that streamed down my face. I leaned against the car, feeling defeated and helpless.

I contemplated the extensive repairs that awaited my car and my anger intensified. The thought of the looming expenses—purchasing new tires, refilling the gas tank, and potentially replacing the locks on the doors—weighed heavily on my mind. I wasn't prepared for such a costly ordeal, especially considering my dwindling finances. The audacity of the thief who had violated my car only fueled my frustration.

Countless questions raced through my mind. Who could have perpetrated such an act? Why would someone target my vehicle?

Leaning against the rain-soaked car, I wiped away the tears of frustration that mixed with the relentless droplets descending from above. Resolute, I took a deep breath, attempting to regain composure amidst the tempest of emotions swirling inside me.

"Here."A voice broke through my distress, offering an unexpected glimmer of hope."I saw you out here and figured you needed this more than I do." She said, holding out an umbrella.

I looked up to find the cashier, now wearing a beanie and gripping the umbrella tightly. Gratitude washed over me as I stepped under its shelter. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice still shaky with emotion. "You didn't have to do this."

She shrugged nonchalantly, raindrops cascading from the brim of her beanie. "It's no big deal. Seems like you are in quite a predicament."

I nodded, my anger momentarily subsiding. "Who could have done this to my car? I was only gone for a moment."

Her eyes bore into mine, a flicker of concern replacing her earlier indifference. "This part of the city can be dangerous, especially in times like these. Be careful, Newbie."

Confusion laced my thoughts as her words sank in. "Times like these? What do you mean?"

She muttered something under her breath, barely audible above the sound of the rain. Her gaze turned distant, as if lost in her own thoughts. Then, shaking her head, she seemed to snap back to the present.

Ignoring my question, she swiftly changed the subject. "I have a friend, a skilled mechanic," she began, her voice carrying a hint of secrecy. "He specializes in providing affordable solutions for situations like yours. If you're open to it, I can arrange for him to take a look at your car."

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But the downpour showed no signs of relenting, and I had no other viable options. "Alright," I agreed reluctantly. "Please arrange that for me."

Together, we sought shelter under the awning of the store, waiting for a break in the storm. The rain continued to pour, drenching the deserted streets, as we stood there in a peculiar silence.

I had countless questions swirling in my mind, but her enigmatic demeanor left me hesitant to ask.

As a taxi finally approached, she opened the door for me and helped load my purchased items inside. With one last glance, she handed me the umbrella and stepped back into the rain-soaked streets.

"Go," she urged. "I'll be in touch."

Confusion and curiosity mingled within me as I settled into the taxi. The unanswered questions weighed heavily on my mind, but for now, my priority was to get home and figure out the situation with my car.

The taxi pulled away, leaving behind the cashier standing in the rain, her vibrant hair and enigmatic presence etched into my memory.