Secrets unfolding

“Did you find the flashlights?” I asked, rummaging through some old cabinets, filled with dust bunnies that provoked my sensitive nose to sneeze.

“Nada, can’t find a single one.”

“Dang it,” I cursed under my breath, “We’re totally gonna be in the dark, literally.”

“I hate to say this but, ‘I told you so’.”

I rolled my eyes, spreading my hands wide to help me navigate my surroundings. The frost biting my neck, my fingers numb that they began to feel useless. My mouth chattering, my breath turned to fog as it exited outside my mouth.

My short, ivory hair fell over my shoulders, draping my neck. The rubber band must have fallen off.

The sun rays were out of sight. The dim light began to fade as time ticked off, my breathing less accurate, my heart palpitating with fear mixed with the unknown factor.

The strands of my eyelashes began to freeze, turning into icicles. One more hour spent here and we’ll be ice sculptures. 

Frozen to death. I could see the headlines of the next broadcasting news, hitting millions of views. 

Not what I expected on a typical Friday evening.

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“Come on Coco, don’t be so intransigent… a no-work day can help you,” Akshaya lectured.

“I know, I know,” I held my hand up, facing her in a timorous way. Akshaya was known to throw fits, and always won them too.

“Don’t you dare drag me to the mall,” I spoke, seeing Akshaya’s black eyes twinkled with excitement.

“Aww, don’t be so darn tenacious,” She coaxed, batting away at my hands playfully.

“I have to do my job, you know much money means to me.”

She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, tousling her long, dark hair with her fingers.

“Don’t fret sweetie,” She faxed a smile.

“If you let me go, I promise to go shopping tomorrow and actually...,” I pronounced the word with a strain, “Try out new dresses.”

Akshaya squeaked, I was grateful to recall closing my ears before her outburst.

“Done?” 

“Yeah,” She gave me a sheepish smile, “I’ll go with you,” She gave me a ‘I know your a escapist’ look.

Great. No way to escape 5 hours of boredom.

“Hey Co, take my shift will ya?” Kasey; one of my co-workers beseeched, “I’m take the long weekend soon.”

“Um… fine,” Akshaya gave me a murderous look but I ignored her.

“Thanks sweets, I owe you one,” Kasey skipped out the door, putting on a thick woolen coat as she strolled over to a brand new Chevy and got in.

I felt the eyes of my annoying girlfriend on my back as I filled in orders, and managed to please Mr. Fellen; one of the famous designers here.

I was exhausted by the end of the day while Akshaya rolled her eyes at me every time the chime of the door went off, inviting a new customer.

“I think I’m almost done,” I answered when Akshaya had begun to get on my nerves.

She scoffed, drinking the latte I provided free of cost to shut her up.

2 hours later,

“You done?”

“Yup, I’ll just lock up.”

I walked towards the glass door, trying to budge it open to only discover it to be frozen shut. Akshaya was busy on her phone, tapping her hands in sync to some music she always listened to, not paying attention to our current dilemma.

I tried to shove the door with all my might, but my hands slipped away due to the moisture from the freezing weather.

Rubbing my hands together, blowing some hot air I tried again, my hands felt numb and weak.

I could hear the swoosh of the wind outside the glass window, snow heavily falling on the sidewalks, coating them white.

We were doomed.

A blizzard is coming.

Before I could react to the part where we were definitely stuck inside the overhanging fluorescent lights went off, darkness seeping through everywhere.

“Ahh,” I could see the dim light of Akshaya’s phone vibrate as she bumped into me. 

She flashed the light on my face, blinding me for a moment.

“Hey, cut it out… it’s me.”

“Oops, sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“No it’s not, we’re trapped inside and I’m freezing,” She complained,”Wait, my phone?! I must have accidentally dropped it.”

I could barely make out her panicked expression.

“We’ll be fine,” I half-lied. 

“Yeah right,” She added sarcastically, “Are there flashlights here?”

“Maybe, I hope.”

We got up feebly, holding on each other for support. Navigating with our hands, careful not to bump into anything.

10 minutes later,

“Did you find the flashlights?” 

“Nada, can’t find a single one.”

I cursed, careful not to let Akshaya hear how pissed off I was.

“I hate to say this but, ‘I told you so’.”

“Ok, ok you’re right.”

I could hear her choke a laugh.

“Hey, come here.”

I walked towards her voice, almost tripping over the carpet. Some blue light flooded from Mr. Fen’s office, a place he never let me go in. Or as I remembered anyone else who worked here either.

“Come on, maybe there is a phone or something,” Akshaya coaxed.

I nodded, then remembering Akshaya can’t see me.

“Fine, but make it quick, I’m normally not allowed inside.”

We hustled inside, the room was a bit warmer than the rest of the building. I could smell the dust and expired coffee beans.

We shuffled through the messy desk, careful not to disturb anything that could backfire on us.

“What are these?” I felt something sharp on my arm, like a folder edge.

“What are you doing?” I could see her silhouette shrug, handing me a bunch of folders.

“What-” I read the title; Blueberry and basil cupcakes- THE SWEETEST HEAVEN BAKERY- BY. PATRICIA ROY.

“Who’s Patricia?” I asked.

“Don’t know, why is her recipe here?”

“Hmm,” I flipped through the rest of the files, each paper was soiled or ripped as if they were ancient recipes.

“All these recipes are what we serve here, then…?”

“I found a phone!” Akshaya exclaimed, tapping away, “Look,” She shoved the phone on my face.

“The sweetest heaven bakery was out of business because they forgot the recipe, someone stole it?”

My face paled, “You don’t think…”

“Your boss stole all these recipes, none of them was his own, Akshaya finished.

“We’d better tell someone.”

The sooner I uttered the words, the lights flooded back on. I rubbed my eyes from the sudden exposure of brightness.

“Hey, here’s a crowbar, wow your boss is very prepared.”

“Sure is…” I smiled, “He’d better be ready to get in big trouble.”

“You sure? You’ll lose your job.”

“Yeah, it’s better to not serve a dishonest man than be job-less.”

“You're a good friend Coco,” Akshaya said, hugging me.

“So are you…” I added, “If you won’t drag me to Macy's.”

“Not a chance,” She said, linking hands.

“We’d better stop by the police station.”

“Oh, we will,” She grinned.

Hi everyone! Hope you all enjoyed this story. This was one of the shortest stories I've written and I kept changing ideas and finally landed on this idea. If you didn't understand or it could have been better please let me know.

Dedications!!!

Akshaya Sutrave for always being there for me and one of my firest and best friends!!! THX SO MUCH AKSHAYA :D

&

Coco Longstaff for being a sweet, talkative girl always full of sunshine!!! THX COCO!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL DAY/NIGHT!