Brief Summary
Sam, a convenience store worker, trains Mark, a new employee, on the unusual rules necessary to protect the store from supernatural occurrences tied to a dimensional weak point. Mark's skepticism and curiosity lead him to break the rules, resulting in his death. Sam then trains Ashley, who accepts the store's reality and becomes a reliable partner. Eventually, they face a coordinated attack from the other dimension, and their decision to fight strengthens the barriers, solidifying their role as guardians.
- The story revolves around a convenience store that is a dimensional weak point.
- Employees must follow specific rules to protect themselves and the world from supernatural entities.
- Curiosity and skepticism can be deadly in this environment.
- Acceptance and adherence to the rules are crucial for survival.
- The employees ultimately become guardians, defending the barrier between dimensions.
Introduction: Stop and Go Parking Lot
Sam arrives early for her shift at the Stop and Go convenience store, reflecting on a text from her daughter and confirming her son is asleep with his babysitter. A new employee, Mark Rodriguez, arrives, and Sam notes his eagerness and inexperience. She recalls Thomas, her boss, hiring Mark despite her reservations. Sam prepares to train Mark, emphasizing the importance of following the store's strict procedures.
Training Begins: The Rules
Sam begins training Mark by emphasizing that the store's procedures are not mere suggestions but strict rules that must be followed without exception. She outlines several key rules: never work alone, no alcohol sales after 2:00 a.m., bathroom checks every 30 minutes in pairs, and avoiding engagement with regulars acting strangely. Sam reveals that a former employee, Jason, died because he didn't follow these rules.
Strange Occurrences and William's Arrival
During the training, a scratching sound from the back of the store interrupts them, which Sam dismisses, telling Mark to ignore it. Mark is concerned about someone possibly needing help, but Sam insists on following rule three and checking together later. A tall figure named William, who Sam identifies as someone who "helps with problems," enters the store, further confusing Mark. Sam explains that William helps manage the unusual occurrences the store attracts.
Midnight Skepticism and Financial Realities
Around midnight, the scratching sound recurs, this time from the supply closet, intensifying Mark's skepticism. Sam explains that she works at the store for the higher pay, which allows her to provide for her children's needs, such as daycare, piano lessons, and asthma medication. She acknowledges the job's strangeness but emphasizes the necessity of the income. She texts Thomas about the situation, who responds with the instruction to not engage and that they will check it tomorrow.
Normal Business and Lingering Questions
A customer arrives, providing a brief return to normalcy, which Mark finds relieving. Sam reflects on wanting to warn Mark about the more bizarre aspects of the job, such as the entities that appear after 2:00 a.m. and customers with mismatched reflections. Instead, she assigns him cleaning duties.
Jason's Fate and Mark's Departure
As Mark cleans, Sam observes his growing tension and curiosity, reminiscent of Jason's early days. She considers her responsibilities to her children and recalls the gruesome aftermath of Jason's death. At 4:00 a.m., Sam sends Mark home, a standard procedure for new hires. Before leaving, Mark asks about Jason's fate, and Sam replies that he stopped following the rules.
Alone Again and Lingering Doubts
After Mark leaves, Sam is alone in the store and reflects on Mark's skepticism and the likelihood he will either accept the rules or try to be a hero like Jason. She looks at photos of her children and reaffirms that the job is worth the strange occurrences. She notices a tall, fluid figure outside, possibly William, and focuses on following the rules.
Growing Frustration and Unanswered Questions
Four days later, Mark continues to question the rules, particularly the 11:00 p.m. lockdown. Sam remains firm, refusing to provide more information. She notes that Mark is competent at basic tasks but fixates on the rules and supernatural incidents.
Life or Death and the Bathroom Scratching
Mark questions the life-or-death nature of the safety protocols, dismissing them as mere acoustics. Sam retorts that Jason would disagree if he could. The scratching sound from the bathroom recurs, and Mark suggests they investigate together, but Sam refuses, remembering the gruesome scene after Jason's death.
The Truck Driver and the Broken Rule
Around 2:00 a.m., a truck driver attempts to buy beer, but Sam refuses due to the store's policy. The driver's appearance begins to change, revealing his inhuman nature. Mark witnesses the transformation and is visibly shaken. Sam remains firm, citing rule two: no exceptions. The truck driver eventually leaves, and Sam explains that the incident falls under rule four: when customers act strange, don't engage.
Lockdown and the Power Outage
Around 10:30 p.m., Sam begins the lockdown procedure, which Mark questions as it's not yet 11:00 p.m. As they secure the building, the lights go out, plunging the store into darkness. Sam warns Mark not to use his phone or make noise. Shadows move past the windows, and the scratching sound intensifies.
William's Intervention and Mark's Fear
Shadowy figures press against the glass as scratching sounds come from everywhere. Mark is terrified and wants to leave, but Sam insists they stay put. William arrives, and his presence causes the scratching to stop and the shadows to disappear. The lights return, and Mark is left shaken, questioning what happened. Sam dismisses it as a power outage.
Karen's Medical Issues
The next night, Mark arrives late and hungover. Around 2:00 a.m., a regular customer, Karen Mitchell, enters with her head bent at an impossible angle. Mark is visibly disturbed, and Sam sends him to the back room to get register tape, leaving her alone with Karen.
Acceptance or Insanity
Mark is shaken by Karen's appearance, insisting it wasn't possible. Sam explains that there are inexplicable things about the job and that one must either accept them and follow procedures or risk going crazy or getting killed like Jason.
Mark's Request to Work Alone
Mark asks to work alone to understand the place on his own terms, but Sam refuses, citing rule one. Mark insists he needs to understand the rules and what's really going on. Sam sees Jason's fatal confidence in Mark's determination.
The Inevitable Decision
As Sam prepares to send Mark home, he makes his request official: he wants to work alone the following night. Sam refuses, but Mark insists he will eventually work alone to understand what happens. Sam thinks about her children and the financial security the job provides.
The Open Doors and the Blood Trail
Sam arrives at work to find the front doors wide open, a violation of rule six. She sees three missed calls from Thomas and feels a sense of dread. Inside, she finds the store silent and the emergency lighting casting red shadows. A trail of blood leads from the counter toward the bathroom.
The Aftermath and the Police Investigation
Thomas confirms that Mark worked alone against instructions and tells Sam not to touch anything as the police are on their way. Detective Bennett arrives and takes Sam's statement. The security footage shows normal activity until 2:30 a.m., when the cameras malfunction. Footage shows Mark entering the bathroom at 2:28 a.m. but never exiting.
William's Role and the Dismemberment
Detective Bennett mentions a tall figure in a hooded sweatshirt entering the store around 3:15 a.m., which Sam identifies as William. She explains that William helps with security issues, such as customers whose faces change. The police found Mark's body dismembered throughout the store, arranged in a deliberate pattern.
The Truth Revealed: Dimensions and Guardians
Thomas visits Sam and reveals the truth about the store: it sits on a weak point between dimensions, and the rules are barriers against things that want to come through. He explains that William is a guardian who keeps the breach stable. Thomas offers Sam the choice to quit with severance or stay and train someone new.
Ashley's Arrival and Acceptance
Sam decides to stay and train Ashley Morrison, who has a background in folklore and mythology. Ashley shows genuine interest in the rules and accepts the store's abnormal nature. She doesn't demand to investigate strange occurrences and simply notes them in the incident log.
The Truck Driver Returns
The truck driver who previously tried to buy beer after hours returns. Ashley and Sam refuse to sell him the beer, and his transformation begins. Ashley stands her ground, citing rule two and stating that the policy exists for everyone's safety. The truck driver eventually leaves.
Protective Instincts and the Balance
Over the following weeks, Ashley develops protective instincts and learns to recognize the signs of supernatural activity. Sam explains the importance of finding a balance between awareness and acceptance, seeing enough to stay safe but not asking too many questions.
The Dimensional Breach and the New Cameras
Thomas visits regularly, providing updates on the dimensional breach, which remains stable due to their vigilance and William's guardianship. Ashley asks about replacing the security cameras, and Thomas says new systems are being installed.
Guardians of Reality
Ashley and Sam settle into a routine, covering for each other and maintaining the store's facade of normalcy. Sam finds herself thinking less about Mark and Jason. Ashley expresses her appreciation for the job, recognizing that they are making a difference by keeping the world from ending.
The Last Normal Shift
One month after learning the truth, Ashley and Sam have settled into a comfortable routine. However, Ashley notes that it has been too quiet lately. As they begin their lockdown procedure, the power flickers, signaling trouble.
The Major Electromagnetic Disturbance
Thomas calls Sam, warning of a major electromagnetic disturbance centered on their location and that the dimensional breach is destabilizing. He tells them not to lock the doors and that he is coming with supplies.
The Attack Begins
Thomas arrives with unusual equipment, explaining that multiple breach points are attempting to open simultaneously and that something on the other side is coordinating an attack. The lights go out completely, and the temperature plummets.
The Barrier Circle and the Entities
Thomas activates a device that casts a pale blue glow and instructs Sam and Ashley to stay within the barrier circle. Scratching sounds start from everywhere, and shapes move in the parking lot. Thomas explains that the entities are trying to force multiple entry points.
William's Arrival and the Coordinated Assault
William arrives, carrying reality-bending weapons, and explains that the entities are trying to force a permanent gateway. He says that if they succeed, the breach will become a staging ground for attacks on every dimensional weak point on Earth.
The Choice: Run or Fight
Thomas tells Sam and Ashley they can run or help hold the line, protecting not just the store but every place like it. Sam and Ashley choose to stay and fight. Thomas hands them each a weapon and instructs them to fire at anything that doesn't belong.
The Longest Night
Sam, Ashley, Thomas, and William fight off entities coming through the ceiling and walls. William moves with liquid violence, and Thomas coordinates their defense. Ashley proves to be a natural, and Sam realizes they are standing guard over reality itself.
The Retreat and the Strengthened Barriers
The entities make a final push, but William does something that causes them to retreat. William explains that their choice to stand and fight strengthened the barriers beyond what they were before, making the place truly defended.
The Aftermath and the Guardians
As dawn approaches, they repair the damage and reset the store's protective systems. Thomas tells them to go home, get some sleep, and come back the next night, as the work continues. He acknowledges that they are now guardians, protectors of the barrier between what is and what should never be.
Dimensional Guardians
Ashley and Sam finish their closing procedures and reflect on their roles. Ashley jokes that they are dimensional guardians who happen to sell cigarettes and lottery tickets. Sam drives home, knowing that they are the thin line between normal and nightmare.
The World Protected
Sam checks on her sleeping children and thinks about the world they will inherit, a world protected by rules, guardians, and people willing to stand between the light and the dark. She receives a text from Ashley confirming they will be back the next night.
