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At First It Was A Blink




At first, it was a blink.

But then it was a stare. They would look right at me from the corners of their eyes. I tried to ignore them and go about my business, but it became difficult each day. I was new to this retail job, so I didn’t make friends very quickly amongst my co-workers. I suppose they didn’t like to hear me complain, so I tried to keep to myself while I folded clothes.

But they became more blatant.

They would turn their heads towards me and bore holes through me with their cold glare. I thought I was only seeing things, but a glance in their direction confirmed it: their heads were turned and they were staring right at me. I was frightened by them. Did they treat everyone this way, or just me?

Sometimes they would follow me with their eyes as I passed. Sometimes they turned their heads and looked down on me. I would bite my lip to fight back the tears.

I got too close one day. She acted normal while I changed the clothes on the display, so I risked a glance. She was looking off in another direction. But then her head snapped crookedly towards me and she did something insidious.

At first, it was a blink. And then she smiled.

I quit that day and vowed never to work in retail again. My manager demanded to know why I was leaving. My heart drummed against my skin as I grabbed my jacket and briskly walked out. I never looked up, but I shouted back to him.

"I refuse to dress the mannequins anymore."
 
by reddit user BringMeNightmares

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