𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 || ᵈᵃᵇⁱ

1 ; and thus, i die

          You stared intently at the vending machine in front of you, the brightly assorted candies paling in comparison to the chips you've been eyeing for about your entire break now.

          The machine was whirring quietly as the old fuck took its time in giving it to you, the urge to growl in anger at it growing bigger the more you waited. It was freezing out at night, the snow crunching beneath your feet a harsh reminder that New York had officially started December. You had nothing to protect yourself from the harsh elements, thinking that getting your snack would be an easy in-and-out job that didn't involve having to wait for about five minutes just staring at what you wanted.

          The main door to the eatery swung open with a jingle, the annoyed look of your coworker glaring at you from where he leaned on the glass slightly. "Remind me again why I'm cleaning your tables?"

          "Bitch I'm starving give me a minute." You reply nonchalantly, eyes never leaving the bright colors of the letters that spelled out this glorious junk food's name. You've practically already memorized all of its details from how much you've stared at it, the perfect time and place to zone out into your thoughts.

          Simon scoffed, more so amused by your audacity than anything else, "I've given you five, girl. Just kick the damn thing and get back inside, even your shoes are begging you to." His voice was a distant memory by the time the door closed again, the sheer force enough to rumble the large glass windows yet somehow not enough to break it. You knew this because the snow that gathered on the slanted roof finally gave up and hit you square in the head, a loud screech as what felt like a block of ice pounded you and gave way for a new headache.

          Cursing at the building loudly as if it would do you any good, you followed your glasses-wearing friend's advice and kicked the machine, the bag of chips finally falling into the slot where you could get it.

          Quickly grabbing it without much thought you rushed for the door of the eatery, a loud shriek from inside before you could even put a foot in, loudly complaining of your shoes. "It's cold out here, Nylah!"

          "And my floors are clean, Y/N!" Came her disembodied voice from the kitchen, "Wipe your shoes or I use your face as my new mop!"

          You stayed put in your spot with a grumble, her threat not so much as bothering you as it did make you realize that you'd just be an asshole for trudging in anyway, snow still proudly stuck to your shoes. Your back at this point was your sole protector against the cold weather, the urge to jump headfirst into a fire seemingly a very tempting offer.

          Your gaze stuck to the floor in thought as you did, letting everyone else suffer with the cold coming in uninvited while you so calmly let it. But those thoughts get cut off as a rag gets unceremoniously thrown right in front of you, hearing a light cackle from when you jumped slightly out of surprise. Simon was walking away by the time you snapped your head up to glare at him, rolling your eyes as you mumble a thanks and go to wipe your feet.

          One hand stayed on the door for balance, inadvertently keeping it open as icy winds bit at your fingers. You cursed out the weather once again, slowly letting it close, but something moved from outside.

          Normally you wouldn't care, living in a city this big for all your life you've gotten pretty used to the shit that went bump in the night. But out of curiosity and with not much to do your head went and stared at where you think it might've been from anyway, trying to squint your eyes and see what it was to the best of your abilities.

          But of course, you saw nothing but darkness and the growing feeling of somebody watching you.

          And by watch you meant glare, Simon was glaring at you intently from where he stood leaning on his hip in front of a table you were supposed to clean.