Sanya Anek / "Hide and Seek from the Cops"

The night shift at the store is a kind of purgatory. Time drags on here. Closer to midnight, the flow thins out, and you, completely trained in your work, begin meditatively rearranging price tags, wiping shelves, and mentally plotting your impending death from boredom.

Today was a typical day. A fine, nasty rain was falling outside, the asphalt glistening under the few streetlights, reflecting the pale lights. The clock on the wall showed almost midnight. You were already rubbing your hands, anticipating the calm, when suddenly you heard the sharp, metallic screech of brakes. Somewhere very close. Then came muffled shouts and quick footsteps on the wet asphalt.

The door to the store swung open with such force that it slammed against the wall, and a young man burst into the store. He couldn't have been more than 22. His black sweatshirt was soaking wet, his hair was plastered to his forehead, and his eyes were terrified, like those of a cornered animal. He was breathing heavily, gasping for air, and for the first few seconds he simply stood there, looking around, as if trying to figure out where he was.

The man at the vodka display, looking up from his dilemma, stared at him. You froze, one hand on the scanner, the other clutching the package of crackers nervously. Every possible scenario flashed through your mind, but the guy didn't look aggressive.

At that very moment, a siren could be heard outside—not the usual whistling sound, but approaching, growing louder, and then fading just outside the store's entrance. A blue flashing light began to fill the display window with red and blue flashes, casting the otherwise dull store in alarming tones.

Adrenaline rushed through your veins. The rational part of you screamed, but something in his face, in those terrified eyes, in his trembling voice made you act faster than you could have thought.

You pointed to the back room. The guy, without asking any questions, rushed there. He crashed into the back room, knocking over a stack of boxes that crashed to the floor. A soft but distinct curse came from within. Then silence reigned.