3. Chapter 3

It is such a long day. But every day feels the same when business is good. I have nothing to complain about. My legs are sore, and I can't wait to be on my own bed. It will be great when I light the fragrance dispenser and sleep through the light.

The space station is a busy place. The lights are always on, and sometimes it feels like time doesn't exist. All they do here is dim the light a tiny bit, and they wouldn't even entertain that until a lot of us who work here complained about it.

My stall is closed, and my team is off to their own place for the night. There is a zone that's for those of us working here. Sometimes, it feels stupid to be paying rent for the stall while also paying rent for my own apartment. I suppose that was how I lived before I set up the stall here, so I shouldn't be surprised. It's just... something always feels wrong. Maybe I don't enjoy the idea that my whole life is dependent on this space station and its owner.

I groan at myself as I head to the space station's parking lot. That's how other beings live, too. Most of them live and work on the same planet, which is the same as me.

There are beings walking around, still spending their time purchasing supplies for their next trip or just here to take a vacation. Not all stalls close and open at the same time, so there is always something for visitors to look at.

I turn a corner, away from a group of loud ones that seem to be half-drunk. Maybe I'm just grumpy, but they should get out of my way and stop annoying me with their laughter.

The stall is closed and I'm not serving any customers. It feels so good to keep a grumpy face instead of always smiling. No one can complain about how I look, not that I would have cared. They can be gone if they don't want to buy from me because I don't have a perfect smile.

Wait...

I know it is dumb to think someone is watching me when there are that many beings around, each minding their own business, but it feels like someone is really watching me and following me.

I hurry down the alley and take a turn, only halting right after the turn.

Someone grunts. His voice is familiar, but—

A strong shock rushes through my body and my limbs turn into jelly at once.

The one hits me with whatever tazer it is that hisses. "This is what you get for humiliating me."

What? Who is that?

My head hurts and it feels like I'm falling asleep. I'm not walking, but whoever that is grabs me to move with them.

Fuck!

I open my mouth to scream, but the surge of electricity comes again, shooting even stronger numbness into me.

The one holding me talks again. "Look at how drunk you are."

No! I'm not drunk! I—

Everything blanks out for me. And...

Am I dead?