Alterin Saga: Biohazard
Episode 27: Go home
Chandler City, 100 KM East of Reverie City
Miko was serving customers at a fast food restaurant when one of her co-workers approached and said, "The manager calls you in the office."
"Then please take care of the rest," Miko patted his partner on the shoulder and walked away from the customer line. After walking a few steps, he knocked on the blue-colored door before him. The manager's room where he works.
"Just get in."
Miko opens the door and enters to face the woman who is a scourge for restaurant employees.
"You called me?"
"Of course, stupid! Otherwise, I won't let you into this room!" the woman lit her cigarette and sucked once, then exhaled it into Miko's face.
"I heard yesterday you made a fuss near here," the manager said. Miko just fell silent because it was both right and wrong.
Brak!
"Java!" the manager kicked the table, and it made Miko surprised and clumsy.
"Eh. that's it."
But just want to help...
"You know? I'm sick of your pretentious attitude. Because of you, we have less chicken stock! You want responsibility, huh?!"
......---......
Yesterday
Miko was resting outside, more precisely near the back door of a muddy and slippery restaurant. Today, the truck carrying the meat arrived at the restaurant. The rushed truck driver came to Miko and asked her to sign the delivery receipt.
"Eh? But..."
"Once you go, just sign. There's a lot to be had today," the driver handed me a pen and a paper. With hesitation, Miko signed it. Then the driver got back in the truck and left immediately.
Miko stared at the pile of boxes filled with raw meat before her. Whether this restaurant is selling meat dishes or misdelivering, this box is too much.
The total box received is 8, of which there are usually only 6. Miko yelled inside, "Hoi."
No one answered. Miko walked into the break room and found no one there. Finally, Miko was forced to transport the boxes to the freezer.
Miko is a careless girl. He carried 3 boxes at once, and the result was predictable. Miko slipped and the 3 boxes fell on her before it broke and the contents scattered.
"Damn.. I can be scolded!" Miko looked around, "Nobody. I'd better pretend to be sick and go home early."
...---...
But women don't like to give up. Especially the young one, "Eh, but that camera didn't record my face."
"I asked the driver. 20-year-old girl with gray white hair. No employee with such traits but you."
"It could be a customer. Or maybe a rival who hired such a man."
The manager fell silent, then resentfully kicked the table. Miko grew increasingly frightened and did not dare to look at her manager's face.
"Still want to dodge? Girl, 20 years old, Grey white hair, employee uniform, sloppy, workaholic, and her voice is like a kitten! Starting today—"
"Don't! Please don't fire me. I'll change the cost. I promise."
"Replace costs? By what? You work here, you get a salary from here. It's the same as throwing the ball up. You're fired."
Goddamnit!
...---...
Miko is now at a bus stop. Finding a job is hard. Especially without enough experience. After being fired from his job, there was nowhere else for him other than Rave.
Maybe I can find him there.
The rent bill for the apartment has also been piled up. Miko remembered while still living in the city of Reverie. Every month, his father sends him some money. He did not understand much about his father's work at the time. But now, he lives alone. His father had died and no one could guarantee his life other than his own.
"Well, if only I'd gone with one of them. Maybe I won't have any trouble" he murmured.
"What are you talking about, young man?" Miko turned her head, an old man sitting next to her and looking at Miko.
"Are you having trouble in your life?"
Miko just fell silent, even though in her heart she agreed to the grandfather's question.
"Life is short, son. There are so many problems, big or small. But it doesn't matter as long as you can handle it. Back then, when Flemington was at war, my life was very difficult. The government always says it will prosper the people, but in fact they are prospering themselves. Too ambitious, making destruction everywhere. They reap the treasures of the people, then a small part is given to other people.
"I myself must support the family by volunteering for war. Trouble comes when we face a very strong enemy."
"Enemy strong?" Miko was a little interested in the story.
"Yes. There are rumors that the enemy is using alien technology. Somehow, all our weapons and vehicles were damaged. Then strangely, the objects around us moved on their own and attacked us. I survived because I hid under a ditch. When I told the boss, they didn't believe me and thought I was crazy. They fired me and a few years later, Flemington won."
The grandfather did not realize that Miko had already left a while ago. He had already boarded the bus and set off towards Reverie City with one big question.
Could it be Nine?