Chapter 6: Chapter Six
My boss had me running around like a frightened child. Order after order to the point I passed out. She had me working for five days this week with ten hour shifts, which I'm sure she probably isn't able to do.
To make matters even worse, I haven't slept well the past few nights. My feet were aching and my calves were cramped. God, it took so much out of me just to keep my eyes open.
When an eternity was over, I clocked out, threw my coat on, and headed out for the week.
The frigid night air calmed me down and soothed me on my trip back to the car.
However, the last five nights, including tonight, the dark shadow has remained where it's been. And it creeped me out every time.
Rummaging my bag for my keys, a deep voice cuts through the air, startling me and causing me to drop my keys that I finally found.
"Hey, baby. You didn't have our table today. You ready for a fun night?"
I turn around slowly, staring at the four guys who I waited the other night.
"Come on, sweet cheeks. You said next time for sure. I believe it is that 'next time'."
As the four men from the nights before slowly begin approaching me, I couldn't help but slowly back up in sync with them. I was stunned once my back collided with my car door and realized I couldn't go anywhere.
The men circled around me, closing in. A hand landed on the collar of my shirt, trailing underneath. Another landed on my thigh, traveling up. The guys managed to get me pinned against the car and have my shirt almost completely off my body before one of them was knocked on the side of the head.
The three other men turned around, watching their friend clutching his head while lying on the floor.
A black mass emerged from behind the other man. He grabbed the other man closest to me by the collar, muttering the word, "Run."
None of the men moved. Neither did I.
The mysterious man's head whipped toward mind, his dark eyes locking on my frightened ones.
"R u n. Now."
I scrambled around, picking up my keys and unlocking my car. I threw my bag in the passenger seat, climbing into the driver's.
The unknown man slammed my car door shut. As I sat in the car, I couldn't help but catch a whiff of his scent.
Pine needles and bonfire smoke.
It smelt familiar...I just don't know where from.
Turning my keys in the ignition, my car powers on. Within seconds, I'm down the street and stopping at a red light.
- - -
Opening the door to my own home, I realize that my father is nowhere to be found.
Remembering that it's Saturday and he was probably out with friends, I shrugged it off.
Heating up leftover pizza, I grabbed the greasy slices and head to my room. The second my bag hit the floor, my phone rang.
"Wassup, Alina?" I asked, answering the call.
"Did you just get back from work? Are you alright?"
I nodded my head, only to realize she can't see me. "Yes, why?"
"Apparently four men were found outside the restaurant. They're all dead and it looked like they were right by the place you park your car. Was your car hijacked at all?"
"No, but..." I couldn't tell her about what happened, about what I saw. She'd think I'm crazy; but she is my friend...my best friend who would understand anything I said. "I was leaving the place when I was stopped by four men. Some mysterious guy came by, pulled them off me, and told me to run. So I got in my car and left. I didn't think he'd kill them..."
"I'm just glad you're alright," Alina says with a sigh. "If you ever see him again, run for your life. You shouldn't be around him if he killed someone. You need to call the police!"
I shook my head. Alina always acted like this, even though I knew she was right. "Ali, I'm fine, trust me. I'll take care of it."
She hummed. "Damn right you will. You're my strong girl. You've got this. Just be careful on your next shift."
"Yeah...I'm just glad I have tomorrow off at least. I'm so exhausted."
"I'll let you sleep then. Call me if you have issues!"
"I will. Night, love you, girly!"
"Love ya too, baby cakes."
I hung up the phone and could practically hear the wink at the end of her sentence.
I gently tossed my phone onto my bed and collapsed, completely exhausted.
Curling up, I fell asleep in my uniform within minutes.
- - -
"I'll put that order in for you," I said, walking over to the kitchen and telling Jean the pizza order.
My one day break was over quicker than I hoped. I ended up sleeping for over twenty-six hours, which seems impossible in my case. Especially since I never get more than nine hours of sleep.
I was already halfway through my shift when one of my coworkers pulled me aside.
"I need you to promise me that you'll tell me the truth, alright?"
I nodded my head at my coworker Sam. "I promise," I told her.
"Did you kill those four boys last night? I know that's where you park and where the bodies were. As well as that they were found dead thirty minutes after you left."
Does everybody know where I park?
I frantically shook my head. "No, no, no. You have it all wrong. I never killed those boys. Sure, they snuck up on me and tried to rape me, but I would never do such a thing. Some mysterious man walked up and started hitting them with something. He told me to run and I left. I had no clue the man would kill them."
Her eyes stared down at the ground. "I understand. Thank you for telling me. I'm sorry you went through that. I'm glad you're alright."
She placed her hand on my shoulder. "Thank you for your concern," I stated. "I'm sorry that they were in such a bad shape. I can't believe I didn't try to stop things without anyone getting injured..."
"It's not your fault at all. Don't blame yourself. You're not the man who murdered them." Her eyes locked with mine. "If you find that man, tell me. Jason was my brother's closest friend."
"I'm so sorry."
"Again, it's not your fault, Ashy. Just tell me if you see him, 'Kay?"
I nodded my head.
She let go of me and went back to taking orders.
I cleared one of the tables next to me, wiping it down and returning the dishes to the sink when my pizza came out.
Delivering it to Table Three, I caught a whiff of something I knew as I set the pizza down.
The faint scent of pine needles and bonfire smoke caused me to turn my head toward the door.
Behold, the man in all his weird glory...
Andrew.
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