A Regular Sunday

Chihiro pressed her nose against the car window as they pulled into the McDonald's parking lot. The red and yellow arches gleamed in the afternoon sun.

"Can I get a Happy Meal?" she asked, bouncing in her seat.

"Of course," Dad said, turning off the engine. "What do you think they have for toys today?"

Mom gathered her purse. "Probably something from that new movie everyone's talking about."

Inside, the restaurant buzzed with Sunday families. Kids ran between tables while parents chatted over coffee. Chihiro breathed in the familiar smell of french fries and smiled.

Behind the counter, a teenage employee with a bright name tag wiped down surfaces. Something glittered near the meal display cases, catching the light in an odd way.

The Glittering Discovery

At the counter, Dad ordered their meals while Mom checked her phone. Chihiro wandered closer to the display cases, drawn by that strange glittering light.

"Excuse me," she said to the teenage worker. His name tag read "Jake."

"Hi there! What can I help you with?" Jake smiled, but his eyes darted nervously toward the meal displays.

The glittering came from special meal boxes tucked behind the regular ones. Each box shimmered with colors that seemed to move like oil on water.

"What are those pretty boxes?" Chihiro asked.

Jake's face went pale. "Oh, those are... um... just special promotional items. Not for sale today."

Suddenly, the restaurant doors burst open. Three people in dark suits marched in, their eyes scanning the room like hunters searching for prey.