Walmart Security's Journal: Episode Eleven: Blindsided

There was a hint of lightning and a slight rumble of thunder in the distance. I turned from the horizon to face Robert, who was standing to my right. We stood before the luminous Wal-Mart banner. A noisy cluster of insects swarmed the fluorescent light nearby, their innumerable buzzing and clicks penetrating the silence.

âoeThere is a storm approaching,â I whispered to Robert. âoeWe should prepare the store for an emergency situation.â

He was apparently capable of sensing the urgency of my recommendation. âoeYes, sir,â said Robert, âoeIâ(TM)ll get right on it.â

As he returned to the inner confines of our beloved store, the silence that I had grown accustomed to abruptly ceased. The forest surrendered to the wind. Venerable pine trees swayed in the distance as their gray leaves began to litter the parking lot. Several cracked and fell swiftly to the ground. The lightning crackled overhead, and the air was laden with foreboding.

I stepped inside. Although the prodigious wind had been somewhat deadened by the building, I continued to perceive it. Robert had enabled the auxiliary lighting system. He stood near a corner, watching small hints of rain as they impacted the skylight. An occasional flicker of lightning penetrated the store. Tree limbs struck the roof.

âoeItâ(TM)s getting bad out there, isnâ(TM)t it?â Robert was concerned.

âoeIâ(TM)m afraid so,â I said, âoebut I promise you that weâ(TM)re going to vanquish. We always do.â

The lights dimmed for a moment and I was taken aback by our reflection in the skylight.

âoePeter,â said my colleague, âoewe didnâ(TM)t bring the fertilizer display inside!â

Robert was correct. Although I was admittedly hesitant to walk outside during a hailstorm, we couldnâ(TM)t permit it to obliterate company property. âoeYou stay here,â I said to him. As I approached the front door, I almost felt as though I were being watched. When I looked to the left, especially.

The automatic door opened and I stepped outside. I waded cautiously through the lake of water that covered the parking lot toward the display. The fluorescent lights overhead dimmed, then everything became dark. My face grimaced involuntarily as large hailstones continued to strike me. I glanced in both directions, but, with the exception of the devastating storm, could perceive nothing.

I turned to face the display, but I am unable to describe to you what lay before me. And it was moving closer.