Five Nights | A Novella

The Path to a Brighter Tomorrow

Pouring herself a cup of coffee, Carissa hoped the warm liquid would provide a much-needed pick-me-up. As she rubbed her tired eyes, she glanced at the clock, realizing that it was already 6:00 a.m. The realization reminded her that she needed to start getting ready for work soon.

Just as Carissa contemplated her next move, Henry, her father, emerged from his office, clutching a stack of newspapers. His surprise was evident as he spotted Carissa in the early hours of the morning. Quickly locking his office door and concealing the newspapers behind his back, he approached her cautiously.

"Carissa? What are you doing up so early?" Henry asked, his voice tinged with nervousness. Sensing his unease, Carissa took a sip of her coffee before replying, her fatigue evident in her voice. "I couldn't sleep, and I have to get ready for work soon," she explained.

Carissa worked as a skilled barista at a local café, finding comfort in crafting delicious drinks for the customers. Her talent had earned her the reputation of being the best barista at the café, a fact that Henry acknowledged with a nod. "Alright, well, I'll be in my office," he said, reaching for the door handle. But before he left, he glanced back at Carissa, a concerned expression on his face. "And sweetie, don't forget to take your pills," He saw her lift the bottle in response, ready to swallow one with her coffee. He smiled and entered his office.

As Henry locked his office door, Carissa's curiosity and suspicion grew stronger. She had always been naturally inquisitive, unable to resist the urge to investigate. Finishing her coffee in haste, she made up her mind to head to work, her mind filled with unanswered questions.

The day started like any other at the café, with Carissa diligently serving customers and crafting their desired beverages. However, as the day wore on, a sense of restlessness began to build within her.

"You idiot! I said I wanted a plain black coffee with two sugars! How difficult is that?" an irate woman yelled at Carissa, her frustration pouring out in her voice. Carissa's heart sank, and she immediately apologized, doing her best to maintain a composed demeanor. "I must have forgotten, ma'am. I apologize for the mistake," she replied, her voice laced with sincerity.

"I swear, these places hire the most brainless people," the woman muttered under her breath, making sure Carissa could hear her dissatisfaction. Carissa's hands trembled as she reached for the coffee pot, a single tear escaping her eye. She quickly wiped it away, determined to uphold her professionalism.

"I don't have all day, girl! Hey! Are you even listening to me?" the woman's voice was abruptly cut off by a loud thud. In a moment of overwhelming anger and frustration, Carissa had snapped. She had hurled the coffee pot at the woman's head and vaulted over the counter, unleashing a torrent of punches fueled by pent-up emotions. She didn't stop until her fists were bloodstained, disregarding the chaos and screams around her.

Suddenly, a pair of strong hands forcefully pulled Carissa off of the woman. It was her manager, who looked both furious and terrified. Carissa's blood-stained hands shook as she looked down at them and then back at the unconscious woman. Her manager yelled, "Are you crazy, Carissa?"

"I... I..." Carissa stuttered, unable to find the words to explain her actions.

"Save it for your next employer, Carissa. You're fired," her manager snarled, disappointment palpable in his voice. "You'll be lucky if you get out of this with no charges," he added, rushing to help the injured woman on the ground. Carissa stood frozen in shock until her manager's scream snapped her out of it. "Go! Leave!" her manager shouted.

Carissa obeyed, her head hung low and tears streaming down her face. She took off her apron and set it on the table before walking out of the café. As she got into her car, she couldn't help but ask herself, "What the hell did I just do?" In a fit of frustration, she threw her pill bottle out of the car window.

On her drive home, Carissa's tears continued to roll down her cheeks, blurring her vision. As she glanced out of the car window, her attention was caught by a building with a bright sign that read, "The Path to a Brighter Tomorrow! Just call 555-0134." It sounded like exactly what she needed. With renewed hope, she grabbed a pen and paper, quickly jotting down the number before continuing her drive home.

Later, Carissa burst into the house and found her father sitting at the table. He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You're home early," he remarked, his gaze shifting to the storm on her face. She slumped into the chair next to him and let out a heavy sigh. "I got fired, Dad," she mumbled, her voice heavy with shame. Henry opened his mouth to ask why, but before he could speak, she cut him off. "But I have a plan," she said, fishing out a paper from her pocket and thrusting it at him. "I'm going to call the Department of Social Services tomorrow. They must have something that can help me." She searched his face for approval, but all she saw was disappointment. He tried to force a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Seeing the anger in his eyes, Carissa felt a pang of guilt. Her voice trembled as she asked, "You're mad at me, aren't you?" Henry rubbed his eyes and let out a tired sigh. "How did you manage to get yourself fired, Carissa?" he snapped, frustration evident in his tone. Carissa flinched, anxiety tightening in her chest. "I-, I attacked someone," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stared at her in disbelief, disappointment etched on his face. "But she was being so unfair!" Carissa protested, realizing that it was a weak excuse for her actions. "I know it was wrong," she added, her voice filled with remorse. She looked at her father, desperately hoping for some understanding. However, he remained speechless, unable to find the right words.

"Can we just drop it?" Carissa pleaded, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and desperation. Henry nodded, his face still reflecting disappointment. "I'll be in my office," he said, getting up from the table. "Let me know if you need anything." Carissa watched him walk away, her head hung low, a single tear rolling down her cheek. She couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what, she would always be a disappointment to her father.