The Last Customer.

By Sowmya Sreekanth.

It was 11 past 10 by the time I clocked in for work that night.

I had been a cashier slave at the Nightfall Emporium for almost 2 years. What started as an

exciting temp summer job went on to become a dull, mundane profession. I had other choices but I guess I’m not a big risk taker so I stayed put. Truth be told it isn’t that bad, especially since I got the night shift. I don’t have many customers most nights except maybe a few truck drivers and hitchhikers. It can be a little lonely at times since we are located at the edge of the town and there’s nothing close to us for at least two miles. But, I’m kinda used to it and spend most my shifts burying my nose in a good book.

“Hey hey!”, I greeted Sophie, who seemed to be relieved seeing me.

I could only see a few customers spread across the store. I noticed a small girl in aisle 3

staring at me from behind her Mother’s skirt who seemed very confused holding two types of

breads. The girl looked shy and almost scared, but she was looking right at me. I waved at her but she disappeared behind her Mother altogether.

“A little late today are we?” asked Sophie with a hint of concern. “Everything alright?”

Sophie was a nice girl. We weren’t close or anything but I liked having her around. Sometimes we would get the same shift and her presence made me feel less lonely.

“Yeah yeah, I just overslept.” I responded. “Did hell seem any colder today?”

“Haha, not really. Same old, same old. Except..”, Sophie tried hard to recollect. “There was an

old Man who stopped by around noon asking that I disconnect all electronic devices. He

didn’t even buy anything. I asked him if he needs help with something but he just kept

repeating the same thing. I just assumed he’s warning me about the storm that’s gonna come in later tonight. It shouldn’t be that bad. He just kept insisting that I do it. I had a hard time assuring him.”

“Hmm. Old people. You can’t love them, you can’t hate them.”, I said as Sophie started

packing her bag. She smiled. She had a Grandma whom she loved and cherished deeply. “Alright then, I’m off. You take care. Call me if there’s anything.”

“Sure. Drive safe. See you tomorrow.”

With that I was back in a place with random strangers. Ironically it felt familiar. I got behind

the desk preparing myself for the night and it took around 15 minutes after that for the store

to clear out. I was alone for the rest of the night.

At least I wished.

I was staring out the glass window when a truck passed by. Sometimes retail stores can feel

eerie when not crowded. It’s quite unsettling. Almost liminal. The sound of the AC

swooshing, the water in the can bubbling, the wings of the moth against the light bulb,

sometimes the sound of my own breathing. These are the only sounds I’m ever listening to.

So, a vehicle passing by suddenly can be jarring. I liked to prepare my brain by already

looking out the window. A few moments later I reached into my bag to grab a book, I heard the computer on the desk turn off. It’s an old computer but that doesn’t happen usually. I looked outside again to see if there was a storm brewing, messing up the electricity. Apart from the usual wind, there was nothing outside. I tried switching it on a few times but it just wouldn’t start.

I convinced myself that I’ll probably do a manual billing, if at all there are any customers and

gave myself a rest. I reached for my bag again when I heard a “Ding” on the system. I looked

at the computer confused, trying to figure out if it was updating.

On the pitch black screen, big bold white letters popped up, “Can you let me in?”

“What the frick?!” I whispered to myself as I slowly tried pressing every key on the

keyboard. I scanned the entire store to see if some random teenager might be hiding and

messing with me but the store stared back at me with deadly silence. I looked back at the

screen and it went blank again. Pitch black. I stood there unable to peel my eyes off the

screen. I realized I hadn’t moved in the past 5 minutes. I could hear my heart thumping and

my head feeling heavy. I gathered myself and leaned on the counter spooked out to turn my

back on the computer. All of a sudden the sound of thunder startles me and I turn to the

window to notice a lightning. And then it happened again. The computer flickered with a ding and the same question popped up. “Can you let me in?”

Goosebumps on my hand. I frantically tried pressing random keys again. The question won’t

go away. I unplugged the main switch. The screen went blank for a second and then “ding”,

“Can you let me in?”

I could feel my hands shaking. I picked up my phone and tried contacting Sophie. Straight to

voicemail. I tried the store manager but he didn’t pick up. I thought I should lock up and

leave. I could explain everything later.

The storm was picking up outside and the door started rattling against the wind. I suddenly

felt very cold. I picked up my bag ready to leave when I heard the door locks click.

I felt horror taking over my body as I rushed to the door and tried opening it. I didn’t. Feeling

my legs tremble, I tried my keys, it didn’t budge still. The moth around the light bulb

fluttered manically and dropped dead on the floor.

I stuck my face on the glass window trying to see if anybody might be passing who can let

me out. The roads were deafeningly silent. After about 10 minutes of staring at the screen,

horrified, I gathered the courage to respond something back. It felt stupid but I didn’t know

what else to do. I didn’t even know if it would work since pressing keys didn’t seem to do

anything. Stopping myself multiple times, I finally managed to type, “No”. I waited a few

minutes desperately hoping the screen would go blank again but it didn’t.

“Don’t you wanna go home?”

A sweat trickled down my forehead although I felt awfully cold in my body.

“Yes”, I typed back. I couldn’t believe I was having a conversation with a computer.

“Then let me in.”

“Who are you and why did you lock me inside?”

“You don’t know me?”

“If this is some kind of prank, it’s time you cut it out.”

“You’ve seen me.”

“When? Where?”

“Right now, you’re looking at me.”

I felt goosebumps all over my hands. What is going on? Who is this person? There were a

million questions in my mind. I scanned the store again. I checked outside the glass door.

There was not a single soul in my sight.

“I don’t see you.”

“Oh you will now.”

The power went off. My heart was beating so fast, I could hear it in my mouth. I couldn’t see

anything. I felt my breath shaking and my throat clogging. I was on the verge of tears. As I

was trying to switch on the torch of my phone, the power came back.

THUD.THUD.THUD THUD THUD. The computer screen flashed with a blood drenched

woman with long hair. She was as pale as a dead body and she smiled a disturbing smile

before she screamed at me,

“LET ME IN!!!!”

And black out.

I was lying on the floor behind the desk next morning when I woke up. The sun rays were

blinding my eyes. I struggled to get up. My head was throbbing. The store looked fine. I

could hear a few vehicles pass by. I looked at my phone and it was almost 5 am. The

computer was off so I plugged in the cable and switched it on.

The next few hours I didn’t have any customers except a bike rider who came in for

some cigarettes and water. Sophie was on time that morning. She said she was sorry that she couldn’t pick up my call last night and hoped it wasn’t anything serious. Although, I didn’t

remember calling her. I assured her that everything was okay and picked up my bag to leave.

As I was walking toward the door, Sophie spoke out to me.

“Hey, just one thing before you leave, “Can you let me in?”

I heard the locks click.

The Last Customer was the winning piece for our exclusive Halloween competition "Gothic Tales" by Sowmya Sreekanth. A self-taught artist, and writer who often showcases a blend of dark, whimsical and liminal elements in her creative work. She has a strong passion for story telling and self-expression through creativity.