Best Place in the World [open]

[Emily Smith]

Today was such a beautiful day in Jamestown. The sun was out in the sky and shining. Not a single cloud. All of the beautiful children in the town seemed so happy. It even made Emily jealous that she didn't have her own right now. Everything was so perfect here. She could just stand here all day behind the shop counter and converse with the Market's daily traffic as people came in and out.

"Thank you for your service, sir! Have a great day!" Emily said with a wide smile. She placed the man's stuff in a bag and watched as he waved and walked away. It was like this town just couldn't get any better.

Lies. This town was terrible perhaps. There were demons surrounding the town, but Emily made herself forget. She wouldn't think about it. All of those children didn't exist to her. Not anymore. She loved children, and she loved this town. That would never change. She was going to raise her family here. Jamestown was the best place in the world.

[Colten Wrolf]

Colten walked toward the Smith Market in silence. His pace was slow as he took the time to enjoy the walk. His parents had informed them of the items they would need. Dinner was to be set for preparation when he returned with everything listed. Sparing glances at the list he had in hand, he could only hope he managed to please his parents by doing this correctly. Clicking his tongue once he entered this establishment, his gaze wandered. His mouth gaping slightly. It was his first time shopping in his parent's place. And he had only spared glances in Smith Market's direction beforehand. Colten never really had enough curiosity to enter this place. Because he was a little flustered, and due to his short height, he felt surprisingly small.

Pursing his lips, he breathed in deeply through his nose. Exhaling through his mouth after holding his breath for a few meager seconds. He was attacked by the scents of baked goods. Salivating slightly in response to this, he eagerly trotted forward to further investigate these smells. Whoever crafted these foods had refined taste. And the vegetables that were available also appeared to be freshly picked. Colten desired to explore with touch then just his sight and sense of smell. But, not wishing to aggravate the ones who owned such a place, he searched for someone who could help him in his mission.

"Thank you for your service, sir! Have a great day!"

Perking up in response to the woman's voice, the young male watches as a man walked past. And his gaze soon focused on the woman settled behind a counter. A smile was on her face, the expression reaching her eyes and causing everything about her to glow prettily. Bashful at first but further encouraged by the personality displayed so far, Colten stepped forward until he was at the counter. He appeared to be a short boy in regular clothing. His unruly hair spiked up, and his wide blue eyes on the woman. In his hand he grasped the paper that had the vegetables needed. They were all ordinary; Carrots, onions, lettuce, etc.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" He said, tentatively. "I need a little help, please."

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[Emily Smith]

Colten? This was the new boy in town. The town was pretty small, only having around 1000 people in it. Sure, that could be considered a lot of people to know, but overall, Emily would at least recognize everyone who lived in the town. They all had to use the market at some point or another, and she would sometimes see people outside and the like. She didn't recognize Colten as being someone who visited the Market often, but at the same time it wasn't often that new people moved into Jamestown. She recognized him from local gossip and having sighted him a couple times before.

"Hi there, Colten, is it?" She would ask him. The large smile she had been wearing started to die down just a little. Looking at him was reminding her of her own son whom she had lost. He closely resembled Colten. They both had messy spikey blond hair and blue eyes. However, the expression they held on their faces. They were both so similar.

Emily was struggling to hold up her mental block which stopped her from thinking of her son. If she didn't do that, she would almost certainly break down into tears. She didn't want to do that. Especially not while she was working. She couldn't allow herself to think of it. She had moved on. Never again should thoughts of her son who had left her reemerge in her mind.

"You must be replying to our ad. You want a job, right? Great!" Emily would say. She had placed an ad on the door of the supermarket asking for another helping hand. It was becoming too much for just herself and her husband to work here. She awaited his answer anxiously with a coy grin.

"My name is Emily, by the way."

[Colten Wrolf]

"Hi there, Colten, is it?"

Colten was surprised once his name slipped past her lips. He then noticed the smile lessen slightly. That spark in her eyes dull. It was interesting to see such a vivid emotion start to settle into one of average appearance. Swallowing, the young male allowed the short pause to last. It felt somewhat awkward, causing him to fidget even. He then realized he had yet to answer the question and soon nodded, his blonde spikes bobbing along with the simple action. He blinked rapidly in surprise as she started to speak suddenly. Sounding very positive, her tone light and cheery.

"You must be replying to our ad. You want a job, right? Great!"

Once again caught off guard by what was said. Colten blinked at the woman. But his mind worked to process it quickly. He was always able to react with ease, his actions hardly slowed by a hesitant state that would vanish shortly after. A job? Now, what to think of such an offer that was made so unexpectedly? Colten had always wished for work, but, it was hard to find one. He only wanted a job due to him being able to collect money for himself after acquiring one. And, he wasn't given much room to correct things as she spoke quickly and rushed to conclusions.

"My name is Emily, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, ma'am," he replied, his lips curling into a smile.

He then realized what his original task was and held up the list. The paper a little crinkled due to him constantly grabbing at it. But, the neat handwriting of his mother was still readable. Colten beamed at the woman once again, growing more comfortable with this interaction.

"My mom wants these, I have the money. And, can you tell me more about the job, please?"

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[Emily Smith]

"Ummm I'll have to see the list first."

Emily spoke to him once again, her smile now returning. She always did her best to hold a smile while she was at work, and she enjoyed working so it shouldn't have been so hard for her. But perhaps everyone had trouble smiling sometimes. No one could be happy all of the time, and neither could someone pretend to be happy all the time. That would be inhuman.

Emily would then reach out for the list which he had held up which he reliquished to her. She would take it and begin to read it. It looked like standard foods. This would be no problem for her to attain. They pretty much had everything that they needed here... only thing they were missing was corn meal, though she could easily make some.

"Just give me some time and I could gather some for you," Emily said to him with a warm smile and a shake of her head.

"And the job?... Well, all we need to have is another helping hand. You seem like a strong young man, so we could really use your help around here. In fact, if you want, you can start today!" She said rather energetically. She was hoping that he was as anxious to start a job as she was to find an employee. She was hoping to hire a teenager, as a teenager wouldn't need a full time job as an adult would.

"What do you say? Just a part-time job for you to do three days a week after school and then man the shop for me and my husband all day on Sunday... after church that is. Do you go to church?"

[Colten Wrolf]

"Ummm, I'll have to see the list first."

She reached and grabbed the list with her, well, what appeared to be, delicate fingers. Allowing his arms to go limp at his sides shortly after, he watched as eyes scanned everything written on the white sheet. What was her name, again? Emily, but, it would be a little impolite for him to address her by her first name due to his age. Colten was often taught that children should use their elder's last name so to vocally make their respect obvious. The blonde waited patiently, hoping everything was available to be bought.

"Just give me some time and I could gather some for you."

"Thank you, ma'am, that would be very appreciated."

Colten allowed the grin to stay settled on his face. The woman would help locate and return the items to him. He then let his hand brush against his pant pocket once, the movement unnoticeable yet important. He was always careful about losing anything; that included his wallet. Humming in acknowledgement as she spoke again, he made sure she knew she had his attention.

"And the job?... Well, all we need to have is another helping hand. You seem like a strong young man, so we could really use your help around here. In fact, if you want, you can start today!"

The boy glanced around the shop. It seemed like it would be nice to work here. But, he wasn't aware of how much he would be paid. Truth be told, he didn't care for the sum. This would allow Colten to remain distracted, and all those hours simply reading or laying about would be shortened. Relieved by this, the young boy would accept it despite the money earned. And starting today sounded just fine. And it felt nice and cool in here, leaving him comfortable in such settings and eager to begin. Colten nodded at that.

"I can start today," he confirmed.

"What do you say? Just a part-time job for you to do three days a week after school and then man the shop for me and my husband all day on Sunday... after church that is. Do you go to church?"

Colten was fine with the three days a week thing. That was perfect, actually. And, after he had finished up homework and a bit of studying, he could make his way here. Sunday was also fine. But, it made him pause when she asked that question. He was one of those few people who did not partake in the services church had to offer. After all, he did not hold any religious beliefs. Nor did he worship any deities of any kind. Colten was aware he was a dissenter in that way, but, he was careful to let anyone be informed of this. But, finding no need to lie at this point of time, he told the truth.

"No, ma'am. I don't go to church. I can take care of the shop all day Sunday, if you want. I have enough time on my hands," he said.

He hoped he didn't worry her with this. With such stories about children wandering about worshiping the devil, his wish to not enter the church may come off as a bit odd. Not that he believed such ludicrous stories. Colten could only hope the subject quickly changed so not to attract the bad kind of attention.

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[Emily Smith]

"Well, you have the job then!"

Emily was more than excited to confirm that the young boy would be working for her family. They really needed the help and it would give both, Emily and her husband some extra free time, some of which could likely be used to help them have a child... well, hopefully. If she could ever get over her unfortunate circumstances that had afflicted her, that was.

In any case, she would take another glance at the list and look around for a moment or two. Without even leaving from behind the cash register, she was able to scan every item on the list throughout the store. She would be able to collect all of the needed ingredients and items without much trouble at all.

"I'll get this all ready for you and have it in no time," Emily promised him confidently. Collecting everything would take a little bit of time, but not too much. Maybe ten minutes or so. However, she realized that he could be productive as well in the meantime.

"Though, the first job I have for you will actually help your mother as well. Could you just go out into the cornfield and gather some of the maize? I can use that to make your corn meal," Emily entreated him. Unlike a majority of other people, she didn't have much of a fear of the cornfield. She had put up a mental block to its dangers, so she felt no guilt in asking him to go. Whatever fear she did have was locked in her subconscious.

"Be quick though, or else it'll get dark on you."

[Colten Wrolf]

"Well, you have the job then!"

Colten stared at her for a moment, confused that he was accepted so suddenly. It came as a pleasant surprise, and he beamed at the woman, content with these events. To be accepted so suddenly with open arms caused a feeling to build up within him. His eyes overflowing with such positivity. This must have been a popular place to purchase goods if she required help. Did she run this shop on her own? Or, was she married? He had yet to know, but did not bother to ask. Colten would simply ask his parents about the Smith Market. They were more aware of the citizens than himself. Emily searched for a moment, but appeared to know what she was looking for and where it was.

"I'll get this all ready for you and have it in no time."

That would be great. He couldn't help but admire the quality service that was offered with a smile. Colten liked this place already, a good feeling only reassuring him of how pleasant his stay would be. He was also prepared to inform his parents, excited about such news he carried. His father was sure to be proud with his ability to earn money at such a young age.

"Though, the first job I have for you will actually help your mother as well. Could you just go out into the cornfield and gather some of the maize? I can use that to make your corn meal."

The cornfield? That didn't seem like a hard job. He nodded in response, saying he would be able to finish this job with ease. Colten never really wandered close to the plants. He truthfully held no interest in them, at times too busy distracting himself with something that held more importance. Turning toward the exit, he moved closer to it and started to push it open. But was given one warning beforehand.


"Be quick though, or else it'll get dark on you."

"Yes, ma'am." He said.

It really didn't sound too complex. He didn't really need a bag, either. Just his hands and the strength to tug and pull. Walking in the direction of the cornfield, he paused for a moment. His sixth sense starting to tingle slightly. Colten shrugged it off, continuing on his way. Being ignorant of the truth of this place, he soon found himself facing rows and rows of corn. They all appeared healthy, and without any damage done to them. The town must have taken excellent care of it, he concluded. Once he was a mere foot away from the corn, he reached out, touching the stalk and leaves that sprouted from it. After a moment of pause, he started his work.

[EXIT]

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