Chamber of Spectres

who was exceptionally nice to me. She would give me

ground and really liked me. She promised that afte

but after I graduated, she really dr

nvenience store in the village and let me work the

s high, it was still j

amiliar with things. She planned to set up a few large wholesale food st

different from others. It

, but everything was sold by weight and packed in large burlap

d alcohol, but only one bran

as there weren't many wealthy people in our town,

ss, so I had n

ey, I should just spend the money from the customers and keep track of

not to let other employees see me

I naturally didn't want to let h

ght there. The employee who helped during the day was an old la

with two panels. I tried to open the door fully, but she kept mumbli

told me not to open

's request, I left

started

used old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, high up on th

it, and soon enough, th

en I handed him the cigarette, I felt uncomfortable becaus

f cleanliness, but then more customers

others rice, all with di

s a factory nearby tha

the night, an acq

ed to see her buying things here, and her nails were also dir

t help but ask, "Joslyn, which fa

taking a closer look, she finally recognize

a clothi

store

w clothing factories nearby, but I had never hea

un by a friend. I'm

orking at a convenience store is a dead-end job. You're

didn't speak so harshly. I responded politely, "I'll manage. You've

rette. It's been a few

and gave me one, th

the cigarette, but after just on

range, almost moldy. The cigarette felt un

ed the cigarette, worried that Khloe m

Especially since Joslyn was an old c

come back, but she didn't sho

he old lady came to

record it, had some breakfast, and

overnight and provided free lunch and di

rk in the evening, Jo

rrassed. "Joslyn, sorry about

ng with the

as

u find it

smells

ls n

ce to

didn't actually smoke,

oke like that. No wonder sh

s, and I handed it to her, saying, "If

lear

igarette, and then looked at m

ha

g at a place like this. Didn't

decent. Could you stop saying hurtf

ul because of your good grades. But working at a convenience store is th

she gett

her when she said she wa

cigarette, but the taste was st

ing business. It went on until almos

floral dress and with long hair cascading over her shoulders. Sh

liar, but I cou

ewhere before. Such be

d I was surprised that such a pure-loo

nd left, t

autiful woman lef

Khloe c

k was going, and

How much did you

doll

ey is left in

plied, "900 doll

me to use the counter money to buy 1,000 dollars' wo

gre

nging up, Jos

zing, but she walked in and sa

he money I gav

aking so harshly, now sh

returned 65 dollars, but she added, "From

rted, "Joslyn, didn't you say

e, the lowest level of society,

s i

"Stop complaining and give me the money

sti

a nui

, so I just handed her the money, sayi

to shop, and you'll treat m

, making me e

sham

t to buy goods. Because of Joslyn, I ended up

could take it from

. It was in a remote alley in the town where wholesa

by a friend of hers, and it w

him I was there on Khloe's behalf to pick up some goods. He smile

oth hungry and sleepy, so I figured I'd go to the bathhouse for a soak since

ddenly, someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around an

, "What a c

ce enc

mall. It's not really a chance encounter w

Lanny, with a mischievous grin, asked if I had come to the b

o many years since we graduated, and

ing, I started to

omach

e if I had c

ful, and muttered, "I don't really want to atten

ys you?"

e always felt lik

sly

That's a bit harsh. After all, y

an, 'speak well

d in s

n passed away long

s nons

she die? How come I

of college, probably because

work in a garment factory, but the fa

hadn't seen Joslyn myself a couple of

l nonsense. I just sa

tunned. "Sh

a

en I talked about her with some class

into an old classmate, I didn

agony. I was painf

the restroom. As soon as I got in

finished, I

l was filled w

s

oo

vomiting bloo

not even bothering to say goodbye to La

told me I had a gastric hemorrhage and advis

be it was all the late nights before graduatio

some medication for

after, Joslyn showed up again, and this time she brou

ch of us a pack

tre

ately asking me to cove

now she had the audacity to sho

my anger any longer. I grabbed her by the a

"Do you hav

u know how much it would co

390 dollars,

ould I pay 390 d

, and I'm your female

twisted log

lassmate, but you're not my girlf

asked, "So you'd pay if

do you

e around

iend for now. Just do

n out of

hen she suddenly grabbed my ha

, I was comp

ody felt cold. She looked at me and said, "I let

at

ech

n't bring myself to scold her anymore. Instea

g shy and embarrassed, and gave

to spend money ju

er, even though it wasn't my choice,

yn came alone, and then I'd explain things to

left, my

s exp

dollars just for

only time my mood improved was

resence was truly pleasant. She had a be

, the beautiful lady

. Instead, I rubbed my stomach and forced a smile

it rea

ood. For a moment, I tho

afraid

rse! Wh

in thought. Then, she handed the cigarette

s ba

orrhage have to do with