CHAPTER 9: "THE FIJI FLIP"

The automatic doors slid open with a hiss.

Cool air hit Speed's face, the kind of climate-controlled relief that only a 7-Eleven could provide. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting everything in that particular shade of white that made the world look like a stock photo of itself. The store was organized, efficient, exactly what Speed needed right now.

He moved through the aisles on autopilot.

Drinks first. That was the priority. He navigated the wall of refrigerated beverages—rows and rows of water, sports drinks, energy drinks, everything a dehydrated human could want. His eyes scanned the shelves methodically, moving left to right, top to bottom, searching for that specific brand.

There.

FIJI WATER.

The bottle gleamed in the fluorescent light, expensive-looking, premium, the kind of water that cost more than it had any right to cost. Speed reached for it, grabbed the bottle, held it up to the light for a moment like he was inspecting it for authenticity.

Yeah, this would work.

"Yo, Speed!"

Dre's voice cut through the ambient store noise. Speed turned to see his friend behind the counter—mid-twenties, Black, wearing the standard 7-Eleven polo that somehow made everything look like a lifestyle brand. Dre was leaning against the counter, phone in hand, but his whole expression changed when he spotted Speed.

"What's with the rush, man?" Dre called out, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Speed was already moving toward the aisle near the register where the pharmacy items were kept. His eyes were scanning the shelves, looking for the small boxes of pills that would complete the ritual.

"Nothing, nothing! Just chilling!" Speed said, not really believing his own words. He grabbed the box of SLEEPING PILLS from the shelf—a standard over-the-counter brand, nothing fancy, nothing that required a prescription. "Just gotta grab something real quick!"

He headed toward the counter, holding the Fiji water in one hand and the sleeping pills in the other. Two items. That was it. That was all he needed to change everything.

Dre scanned the items without comment, but there was a smile on his face—the kind of smile that said he knew Speed was up to something stupid but was amused by it anyway.

"That'll be $19.89," Dre said, punching in the total.

Speed's entire body went rigid.

"WAIT, WHAT?!" he said, genuinely shocked. "19 bucks for just Fiji water and pills?!"

Dre laughed. It was a real laugh, not performed, the kind of laugh that came from someone who'd seen this exact reaction a hundred times before.

"Yeah man, Fiji water's premium. That's the price," Dre said, shrugging like it was obvious. Like everyone should just accept that water cost more than it should.

Speed looked down at the two items in his hands. Then back at Dre. Then at the price tag on the Fiji water.

"Man, whatever. Y'all robbing me!" Speed said, but there was no real anger in it. Just the kind of joking complaint that came from someone who was going to pay the price anyway because he needed it more than he needed to hold onto nineteen dollars.

He pulled out his phone, tapped it against the card reader. Apple Pay. The transaction went through instantly, another nineteen dollars and eighty-nine cents leaving his bank account to fuel tonight's experiment in better sleep.

Dre bagged the items—Fiji water first, then the pill box on top, both fitting neatly into a small plastic bag that Speed grabbed without hesitation.

"Alright, thanks bro!" Speed said, already turning to leave.

"Thanks, Dre! Later!"

Dre waved him off, already back to his phone, already moving on to the next customer.

Speed was out the door before the automatic sensor had fully registered his departure. The cool air of the 7-Eleven gave way to the warmer afternoon sun. His legs were still burning from the run, but the adrenaline was kicking in again. He had what he needed. Now he just had to get home.

The bag swung at his side as he walked, then jogged, then started running. The pills inside rattled slightly, a small sound that felt significant. Like the universe was acknowledging his purchase, approving of his decision, telling him that tonight was going to be different.

He'd be home in five minutes. Maybe less if he really pushed it.

The sigil on his back pulsed quietly beneath his shirt, hidden from sight, waiting for what came next.