It Came From the Vending Machine (Preview)

Sierra began her journey. She left her cubicle into the sea of cubicles that surrounded hers on all sides. She could hear the clicking and clacking of keyboards constantly echoing all around. It would almost be maddening if she wasn't so used to it by now.

Leaving through the door at the far end of the room, she found herself in the hall and could see the vending machines ahead. The one that housed all of the drinks was currently opened up. A figure was loading cans and bottles into it, humming away.

Sierra could see a big, puffy, curled squirrel tail sticking out from behind the dirty glass door. In particular, it was a dark purple that bounced and swayed with its owner's every move.

Unsure what to expect, she hesitantly approached. By the time she was almost there, the figure stepped out from behind the door. It was indeed a purple squirrel woman.

She seemed to be in her own little world only now noticing Sierra. She bounced back far in surprise. “OH!” She adjusted her round glasses and tried regaining her composure. “Oh, ah, sorries! Didn't see ya! I'll be quick, hun! You can get something to drink reeeal soon!”

“It's… it's okay.” Sierra confusedly looked at the worker as she grabbed more drinks to stock into the machine. “Umm, I don't think I've ever seen you before.” She remembered there was a usual person that filled the machines, and they were human.

“Oh! Wellll, I'm new! The company that makes these soft drinks only wants to use in-house peeps to stock their stuff!” She put a few more cans in. “Annnnd, there we go! All done!” She took a few steps back. “All yours!”

Sierra gave her a nod and walked over to the machine, peering through its glass. She saw the usual soft drinks and water, but her eyes were instantly pulled to everything else. There was such a wild amount of cans and bottles she's never heard of before. Howling Fresh Lime, Purrfect Punch, Mr. Sam's Sweet Tear Nectar were only a few of the offerings that jumped out.

“What are these?” Sierra asked the squirrel.

“New promotional pops!” The squirrel beamed, showing her pearly teeth and positively glowing buck ones. “Your company agreed to stock them here! You'll find them miiighty taste, promise!”

Sierra nodded, but all she could think was, these were probably cheap to order. Off-brand always is. They're cutting corners again, aren't they?

“You enjoy the sweet options, ma'am!” The squirrel loaded her dolly back up and started pushing it away. “I'm off for more machine-filling fun on the next floor!”

Sierra watched the lady vanish around the corner before turning back to the vending machine. The options left her unsure. None of them seemed all that appealing to her and of the drinks that were normal, she wasn't a fan of them.

Gotta have something. She frowned, looking over each row carefully. Anything will… hmm? That's when she saw it.

Stinkee's Cherry Cola? It was a bright red can on the middle most shelf. The name was plastered in a goofy font, a picture of a cartoon skunk giving a thumbs up below it. There was a tagline in the corner, barely legible behind the glass: “Unleash the Skunk-tastic New you!”

What the hell does that mean? Sierra wasn't sure.

However, she did know two things. One, she liked cherry cola. She didn't have it as much as she liked to, but it was her favorite soft drink by a large margin. It didn't matter who made it, she always ended up liking the taste.

Second, she was charmed. The mascot and name were just so gosh darn cute and fun! She was a complete sucker for things like that. It was almost embarrassing the amount of mascot plushies she had at home because of that.

She plopped the money right into the slot and got herself a can without hesitation. She felt somewhat guilty giving the company money, but she needed it.

Sierra cracked the can open and less than a second later, she flinched. She was unprepared for the cherry scent that would blast right out of the can. Sure, as a big fan of cherry cola, she knew they had a smell she always recognized. However, she had never opened a can of one, or basically ANY soda, that was as smelly and potent as this one.

Well, the name is apt at least. Sierra shook her head, blinking a few times. Here goes nothing.

She took her first sip. She shivered. Once the first drop hit her tongue, it tasted incredible. It was a punch to the system. So sweet was that perfect balance and blend of cola and cherry. It almost made any other soda she had before into a joke.

Gulping down, she shivered more. She could feel herself getting goosebumps almost, the sensation going up into her head. Her black hair seemed to quiver like a breeze went through. 

However, there was something else. The blue highlights in her locks started to drain. The color went brighter and brighter until they were pure snow white.

Not bad at all! Sierra licked her lips, impressed. Definitely gonna need to buy a pack for home! She glanced at the machine, briefly considering buying another one right there and then. She decided not to though, not wanting to give the company anymore money, and returned back to her cubicle.