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A blast of cool air welcomes me as I step inside our local Superstore and my eyes immediately scan the area, as if by instinct. It's not crowded at all thankfully, considering it's a late Wednesday evening. Reminding myself that I'm only here for three things, I start making my way over to the dairy section. Putting in my left earbud, I play Fine Again by Seether; the ending never fails to get me. A few unhealthy things catch my eye as I walk but I really don't want to be here longer than 15 minutes. As soon as I've got the milk, I head over to get bread and some coffee obviously. I bump into a staff member on the way who just smiles at me as I mutter an apology. Thankfully, I'm done a couple minutes later and feel grateful that self checkouts exist, allowing me to avoid any more human interaction.

Suddenly the power goes out throughout the entire store and I stop dead in my tracks, frowning. What on Earth? I pull out my earbud and use my phone as a flashlight. Maybe it'll come back, I hope. Some annoying kids start crying in the distance with everybody else around me rushing for the exits. Screw it, let's just get out. I instantly drop my basket and hurry past people but on the way out someone shoves me and I fall back, rather ungracefully, on my ass. Some idiot steps on my hand and I bite my lip. As I stand up, I dust my shorts off and hear the last doors close with a thud, creating an eerily quiet atmosphere. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I feel for my phone on the floor and pick it up, blowing on it. I press the power button but the screen refuses to light up even after I try multiple times. I can't see what's wrong but my fingers run over a crack in the center and a lot of smaller lines spanning out from it like a spider web. Either it got messed up or the damn battery died. Well, shit. I can't be locked in. I go around checking all the emergency doors that I'm able to get to, occasionally bumping into one thing or another. None of them return any luck. So much for emergency exits. My only chance would be the other ones across the store or the main doors. If help doesn't arrive soon I might have to spend the night here.

I begin to panic and think of just curling up in a ball and crying but the practical side of my mind reminds me to figure out the next logical step. I have a hunch about where they might keep the flashlights so I start in the general direction to get one. I need to be able to see at least. After walking around for a bit I realize I just brought myself to the bakery section because I'm that directionally challenged. I leave the area and walk from aisle to aisle hoping that the next one has what I'm looking for, using my hands to guide me. Suddenly, somewhere to my right, a flickering light comes on. My head instantly jerks in that direction and sirens go off in my head. Maybe it's someone else stuck like me. Should I call out?

I still can't see very far around me due to the light hardly even functioning but I squint and see that I'm standing right in front of a variety of flashlights and other tools. Score. I grab one that comes with batteries and tear open the packaging because who cares about silly ethics and morals right now? Whoever it was didn't make a sound so I remember to be as silent as possible as I go to check out the dull light in the distance, desperate for help. It leads me to the pharmacy section and I pull my cap lower as I near it. With my heart thumping against my chest, I turn the corner, expecting someone to be there.

But there's no one. Instinctively, I turn around and check behind me, my flashlight sweeping the area. I'm both a little relieved and disappointed when I find nothing. Maybe they're just trying to fix the problem. Still, I get the feeling I'm not alone.