Chapter Two: A sleep paralysis... fox?

"...Are... Okay?" Oh, I rubbed my head as my vision came back. "Good, you're alive." Who? I sat up and looked to where the voice was coming from. It was my terrible boss. "The cameras went down, so I came to see what was going on, and ended up seeing you lying on the ground. By the looks of it, someone threw a brick at the window and managed to hit you."

Wait, didn't that girl hit me? I looked around and noticed a brick lying right next to me. "Oh, and by the way, since there is no evidence of what happened, I'm going to take the damages out of your paycheck." "What you..." I stopped myself from yelling at him. Unfortunately, that man has some annoying friends who could easily frame me for this. "Fine," I said.

"Good, now get this mess cleaned up before the window replacement arrives." On that note, he stormed out. Damn, it. Why me? I stood up and looked around. There was shattered glass everywhere. I let out a sigh, then went to grab a broom and dustpan. As I started sweeping the glass, I remembered what that girl said. It's best you forget about what happened here.

What exactly happened? I thought they were some annoying cosplayers causing a scene, but then she kicked that knight, and his armor disappeared. Was that some new scam, or maybe some new cult? I stretched my head. Well, I can't do anything about it, so I should just do as she said and forget about it. As I swept, I heard something roll across the floor and hit the wall.

I looked toward the sound and noticed an object that looked like a tiny ball. I picked it up and examined it more closely. It was some glass marble with a faint blue glow, and inside it kind of looked like a galaxy. I wonder if it was the knight's or the shrine maiden's. Well, I doubt they'll come back for it, so I might as well hold on to it for now. After all, something like this might be worth something.

As I put it into my back pocket, my phone started to ring. I looked at my phone to see that my boss was calling. I took a deep breath, then answered it. "What are you doing standing around. Finish cleaning, because the repairman will be there in an hour." Before I could answer, he hung up. I looked at the time on my phone, and it was already midnight. It's going to be a long night.

Not long after I finished cleaning up, the repairman came and installed a new window. After that, I took out the trash and locked up. I checked the time on my phone, and it was 1:30 in the morning. Great, I have only four and a half hours before I get to work again, and by the time I get home, it will be only four hours. How the hell did my life end up here? Whatever, I'm too tired to think about it.

I walked all the way back to my tiny, rundown apartment. As soon as I entered, I took off my shoes and crashed into the futon. I'm too tired even to change clothes or make dinner. Not long after crashing into the futon, my eyes grow heavy.

"Hey, you awake?" I opened my eyes to see a blurry figure in my room. "Good now..." I ignored the voice and checked my phone. The time was 4:00. I rolled over and closed my eyes. "Hey, I'm trying to talk to..." "Don't care! I have two hours before I need to go back to work! Let me sleep!" I'm too tired to even care what was there.

If it were a robber, then well, they're probably just pissed off that I have nothing to steal. If it were a murder, then I would already be dead. So, whoever it was can wait until I need to wake up.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock. I sat up and rubbed my tired eyes as I shut off the alarm. Great, I can already tell it's going to be another long day. I stood up to get a glass of water, but stopped dead in my tracks, as I saw a large thing just to the right of me. I slowly turned my head to see an enormous fox sitting right next to me.

"You finally ready to talk?" The fox asked. Wait, did the fox just talk to me? Man, I must be more tired than I thought. I'm starting to hallucinate things. Whatever, I need to get ready to work again. I started my morning routine of eating whatever leftovers I had in the fridge and putting on a new uniform. These uniforms are basically the only clothes I own anymore.

I started to head for the door, but that enormous fox sat right in front of the door. "You ready to talk yet? My patience is running thin." I tried to ignore my odd hallucination and reached over it to grab the door, but the fox growled at me. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, human." Fine, I guess indulging in my hallucination can't hurt me. Right?

"What, do you want? I don't have much time." "Human, I am a what they call a Wish Granter. Even though you're an outsider, you seem to have picked up a wishing orb. With it, you can become a participant and have your wishes granted." "Whatever you say, crazy hallucination, but I don't have time for it."

I walked past the fox and opened the door. "Do you not wish to have a better life, human?" "No, I wish that I would stop hallucinating and go back to sleep, but I have a job to do." "I see, human. If you ever desire a wish, then all you need to do is summon me with that orb." "Sure, whatever you say." As I closed the door to lock it, the fox disappeared. I let out a deep sigh. The day just started, and I already want it to end.