The moonlight shines tauntingly, as if trying to keep Gabriel awake. He hasn't been able to sleep at all since they moved to this apartment. He couldn't help but think back to the past. When times were simpler.
...2 months earlier...
Gabriel stared at the door at his cafe. Boredom consumed his mind, as he zoned out and almost missed a customer.
"Afternoon! My name is Charlie, and I'm looking for work!" The girl said in a cheery tone. She was dressed in a black and white cardigan and ripped jeans, with long hair and curtain bangs. She looked to be about 16 years old, with a glint of excitement in her eyes.
"Sigh... well, we're looking for a cashier right now. The old one left after some... strange events. I'm too lazy to do an interview, so just sit down. Not like we'll be getting any customers anytime soon. Your pay starts tommorow." Gabriel replied with a deadpan expression.
Charlie grinned happily and sat beside him. Business was always slow. But Charlie's expression never wavered. After a few minutes of sitting in silence, she tried to strike up a conversation.
"So, Mr. Manager, what's your name?"
"Gabriel de Allare. You may address me as Mr. Gabriel."
"Alrighty, sir!" She said, unfazed by his monotonous voice. The clock's ticking was all they could hear. Like a flash, it was time to close up shop, without a single customer entering the cafe. The night sky settled above the desert.
"Shouldn't you go back home, kid? Your parents must be worried." Gabriel asked Charlie.
"Oh... uhh, I have neither. I lost my parents and my house a long time ago, sir."
"...Ahem. I apologize for your loss. I'll allow you to sleep here tonight."
"Thank you, sir!"
Gabriel let her set up her sleeping bag in the security room, while he sat and watched the stars outside. Sitting on the rooftop and watching the stars was his favorite pass-time. Something to make the boredom a little easier to bear. He took another sip of his bitter coffee. When the sun rose again, Gabriel clocked in and stood next to the bar again.
Hours later, Charlie woke up and rubbed her eyes.
"Mmm... good morning, sir!"
Just then, a few teenagers burst open the door. They reeked of beer and piss.
"Yo, old man! I need three cans of Coke and a Bud Light." The leader said, slurring his words. Gabriel gave them their drinks. He downed the Bud Light in one fell swoop and then poured his Coke all over the counter. Aterwards, he made a disgusting remark towards Charlie.
"Hey girl... why don't you ditch this place and come with us? We can give you a much better time than he does."
The others started cackling. Charlie watched Gabriel stand up and wrap the towel he used for cleaning glasses around his right hand.
"Shall we take this outside, gentlemen?"
"Pff... yeah alright. Looks like we won't be needing to pay, boys!" He said while giggling. Gabriel led them out the door into the dusty wasteland. The leader came over to Gabriel and spit on his shoe. In response, he was given an uppercut straight at his nose. A cracking noise followed. The other boys backed off in fear as the leader fell helplessly to the ground. Charlie watched Gabriel kick the teenager a few more times before dusting himself off and going back inside.
"Well, welcome to the cafe, Charlie. Officially this time." Gabriel whispered. He wiped the beverage off of the table, with the same deadpan expression as always. Charlie couldn't help but feel safer in that cafe. Away from her past.