[https://i.postimg.cc/cCxYHKmN/The-Girl-who-could-taste-time.gif]

Eske left the clinic with a smile he couldn't hide. With his hands in his pocket and an eager look on his face, he walked down the busy block at a hasty pace. When he stopped in front of the traffic light, it took two seconds. Two seconds to witness a guy's body being crushed by the front of the truck. Two seconds to see the bone structure being crushed by the speed impact. Two seconds to smell the burnt rubber of the vehicle. Two seconds to hear the cracking sound of the crushed skull by the front wheel. Two seconds to be splattered with blood. Just two seconds. The accident was so sudden that Eske had no time to react or even think about what would happen next.

He was just witnessing a sudden circus of screams, shouts for help, an ambulance, a girl in a red dress crying sitten on the pavement. People around her, holding her. She was screaming. Eske noticed she was pretty. Blonde with freckles on her face, he couldn't see much more than that. While the police arrived, the continuous scream for help, the ambulance, the paramedics, people and more people.

It all happened too fast. Eske didn't know how to feel. He felt numb from head to toe. His heart beat hard as if something inside him wanted to burst out of his chest. While Eske saw the human sludge splashed in the middle of the road, all he couldn't think of was: 'Fuck, I have to go home and change.'

[https://i.postimg.cc/DZF03BTM/1.png]

[https://i.postimg.cc/43py0jrc/2.png]

[https://i.postimg.cc/FRZRr3Fs/4.png]

'Hi, how may I help you!'

Eske looked at the cashier, a joyful petit chubby girl with frizzy hair and a ravishing smile. 'Hi, is Nona here?'

'Nona?' The young woman's face lit up in surprise, her eyes sparkling from beneath long eyelashes. Her lips were soft pink and curved into a wide smile: 'I'm sorry, Sir, we don't have anyone with that name working at the store. But maybe I can help you.' She smiled warmly.

Eske approached the counter and read the girl's tag name: 'Marie Sue. Marie Sue, are you sure? I was told she would be here.' Eske shook his head sadly: 'Please, Marie Sue, help.'

The girl laughed awkwardly: 'I can help you choose a movie. Do you like sci-fi? Action? Maybe some romance or drama?'

'She has grey hair, black eyes, she always looks tired, and she is tall like this.'; he said, placing the side of his hand in the middle of his chest.

'Blade Runner is pretty good!'; Marie Sue giggled nervously. 'Or Tron!'

'She is very keen on cleaning and organising things.' He pointed to one of the shelves. 'This looks like her doing!'

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

'Maybe Karate Kid, I watched it, and I'm in love.'; Marie Sue continue to ignore his questions. 'But maybe you like romance better? Dirty Dance has a very nice rating. Ideal for a date with popcorn!'

'Marie Sue? Please.' Eske pleaded. 'I need to see her.'

'You are not here to rent movies, aren't you?'; Marie Sue was upset. 'She is not here.'

'When does she comes back?'

'I am not allowed to provide that information.'; Marie Sue answered curtly.

'Then I'll wait.' Eske replied calmly. He sat on the sofa next to the big display screen, which showed clips from the latest blockbusters. There were no customers around, so he decided to watch some trailers.

Marie Sue left the counter to face him: 'You can't stay here!'

'Why not?'

'Because…'; she hesitated for a moment before speaking again. 'It isn't permitted. You know what will happen if you do.'

'What happens?' Eske asked curiously.

'I didn't think that far. But it is very impolite.'

He locked his eyes on her: 'Aren't you scared to be all by yourself in this store?'

'What do you mean?'; Marie Sue frowned angrily.

'How many people work here? Two or three more besides you?'

'Four.'; she confirmed.

'So, you're alone most of your shift, right?'

'Yes.'; she nodded slowly.

'So it means you are here alone, the night is falling, and dangers in this city are awakening. I saw a guy being smooshed by a truck today. Marie Sue, do you really want to stay alone in this empty store? Alone?'; he repeated.

Her anger vanished suddenly as fear gripped her. She turned pale, and her mouth opened, but she couldn't find any words. 'Is true I spend a lot of time alone.'; she whispered. 'But I can handle it! And there's nothing wrong with me staying here late. It is my job, and it pays okay. Besides, I like the quietness of this place when everyone else is gone.'

'People nowadays can buy a gun everywhere, and with this economics, a few bucks is a huge deal. Do you have a gun, Marie Sue?'

'No.'; she shook her head.

'Do you feel safe?'

'Well, now that you mention it.'; she thought about it. 'What tells me you are not a danger yourself.'

'I'm as harmless as a kitty.'; he grinned.

Marie Sue sat next to him, staring at the screen: 'She never mentioned she had a boyfriend.'

'That is because I was still unable to take her out.'; Eske explained. 'I want to change that. I might rent that movie you mentioned.'

'I mentioned so many.'

'Dirty Dancing. I think she would like that one.' They stared at each other for a while, and then both burst into laughter.

They continued watching the previews and making small talk. Night came quicker than expected, and Marie Sue's shift was coming to an end. She stood up and thanked him for spending his evening with her. Then she walked away towards the exit sign. As soon as she disappeared, Eske could hear it, the whispering orchestra of number nine. Walking in small steps next to the counter. He didn't dare to turn his face.

'Good evening, Sir. May I help you?'; her voice was smooth as the songs whispering by her numbers.

His heart leapt into his throat. How beautiful she is, how much he missed her! He stood up from the sofa and faced her: 'Nona, do..., do you remember me?'

She took two quick strides forward until they were standing nose to nose. Her eyes seemed to burn through his soul. She gave him a slow nod. 'What are you? There is nothing like you.' She moved his face slowly to the left, then slowly to the right. She scrutinised every detail of his face: 'So unique.'; she whispered.

[https://i.postimg.cc/6q9LFb4w/The-Girl-who-could-taste-time-2.gif]