"I told you ten times already, he was going to die."

"Yeah, but I didn't expect...THIS!" He looked around in a panic. "NOW what?"

"Simple," she responded, "people die every day. Today was his day. Now, you go back to Dunkin' and get your coffee to-go."

"But-"

"No. Move."

--------

He struggled to his feet. Adrenaline having done its job, he was left shaking and slightly uncoordinated. The bruises he felt forming were paining him, but he would be able to hobble back to his coffee with little external sign. Now, more than ever, he wished he never made a deal with that demon. 

He left the alley with the remains and took a sharp left. Dunkin' Donuts, his coffee, and the last reason to even be in this part of town lay 50 yards away, and he dare not run. If he had learned anything these past days, it was to never draw attention to yourself. Instead, he calmly strolled into the nation-wide chain store and took his place at the end of the line. Here he could think, process, and most importantly, breathe.

<Assandre?> he thought out, <This clears my end of the bargain, right?>

<Once you return home with your coffee, yes.>

<What’s so important about this coffee? About this specific brand of coffee?>

<One must always treat oneself after completing an arduous task, I believe.>

He took another step forward in line. <That doesn’t explain anything about why I’m still stuck with you until I get home with some coffee.>

<It is thus because I decree it. What about that is so difficult to understand?>

<It isn’t difficult as much as it is juvenile.> The line moved ahead one more person. The next patron looked as if they would be a moment, and with a large order, if that legal pad with scrawled orders was any indication. <The “because I said so” justification is shitty, and you know it. At least tell me why I needed to come to this particular shop.>

<That answer is simple, David. It is because this one is closest to the site of the deed done.>

<If I was going to kill someone, I wouldn’t be caught on any security cams. That’s one of the first things any cop looks at with a murder scene nearby.>

<The scene will play out as intended. You are wise to want to make haste, but I am more aware than you.>

No thoughts were exchanged for a time. David habitually reached for his phone in his pocket, only to remember that he left it at home, playing a two-hour documentary on YouTube. He looked around to gauge the crowd and noticed that the grand majority of people were on their phones. Occasionally, he saw people on their computers using the Wi-Fi, but not one person was looking at him. Glancing at the cash register showed that even the cashier didn’t make eye contact. In fact, it looked as if she was staring off into space as she entered the massive order from the legal pad. After reading the order back to the man in front of David, impressively doing so without looking at the order screen, David realized she was blind. She could never properly identify him even if the cops came in here.

<Assandre,> he started, <how did you know there was a blind cashier here?>

<She came to me seeking aid, much the same as you.>

<That explains how you know her, not how you knew she worked here.>

<I answered both questions. She came to me and sought my assistance.>

<That means...wait, she killed someone for you?>

<No,> she chuckled, <not at all. Though I do understand your logic. She performed a task, yes, but one suited to her.>

<Do you know how annoying it is to get answers from you?>

<I do.>

David felt she was intentionally being obtuse. However, it was his turn to order. “One large dark roast, mocha flavor, please.”

The blind cashier’s eyes were actually looking in two different directions. However she appeared, she definitely knew her job. “Large, dark, and mocha. That’s gonna be $2.52.”

“I..uh,” it now occurred to him why Assandre told him to take cash. “I only have a five dollar bill.”

“That’s fine! Hand it here,” she held out her hand, “and I’ll get your change.”

Just as quickly as he ordered, the change was counted out and he took the receipt. His coffee was ready within a few moments. Stepping out, he headed back to the bus stop and sat down. His watch said the bus was only one minute away. Maybe, just maybe, Assandre knew what she was doing. This whole ordeal was too serendipitous to be luck.