Midnight Shift

[Verse 1] Rocky said, “You’re in, kid, she bailed last week,” Gave me keys, a mop, and a soda to drink. This place smells like fries and pine, But it’s all mine 'til 4:09. A little boring, sure — it’s true, But I get paid just to stock shampoo. And clean the floor and count some bills, It’s better than being home with unpaid thrills. They said, "Go get a job, girl, you're not a queen," So here I am, midnight, aisle seventeen. Filling shelves, gum and magazines, In a gas station soaked in kerosene. [Verse 2] Snap a pic in my uniform, Text my friend, "This ain’t the norm." My top’s too tight, buttons about to pop off. I drop some snacks, Guess I need a shelf for these curves I pack. I hum to myself, dance down the aisle, Check the mirror — yeah, still got style. Nothing creepy, just the midnight blues, And Rocky’s playlist with his ‘90s tunes. [Verse 3] Outside, a moth hits the glass, I giggle and watch it as nobody pass. But then the lot gets still and wide, Like the whole world stepped aside. The lights flicker, the cameras are blind, The air smells like rust and turpentine. [Guitar fades, drums slow slightly – shift starts subtly] [Verse 4] But time drips thick like old gasoline, And shadows stretch where they shouldn't be seen. I laugh, “It’s fine,” but something's off — A tingle cold beneath my top. A truck pulls up — deep cherry red, No one steps out, no words are said. I blink once, then twice again... Why do I feel like I’m being watched by ten? [Music halts, ambient hum creeps in — only voice, echoey] [Final Lines – Spoken rhythm, no melody] Door clicks open near the back. I didn’t hear a single step. Stockroom light just blew out cold... Did I lock the— [Final beat: abrupt, bass-heavy WHAM as if something struck]