Morality || Bonten Timeline x Reader || UNDER MAJOR EDITING

2

The morning of the incident had you rushing back to your apartment, where you shoved the cash into a draw, beneath some assorted papers of lord knows what. You held it shut with pursed lips before exhaling heavily, your body weight causing the cheap wood to groan. 

From working overtime without a pay increase to running into some notorious gang members, you were craving a bath and a long sleep.

With your mind on the bribe money, you filled up your kettle for a cup of tea. Even though they had paid you off – something you were mildly offended about, they could easily just get rid of you if they were worried about you. You knew firsthand from work that people like them had no regard for the lives of others. All that mattered to them was business. Getting paid off was a rare occurrence in the underground clinics. Most gangs took advantage of the clinics and showed little to no respect to the people working them. You had heard many stories. 

You shook it out of your head, taking your kettle of water and starting to fill up your bathtub.

"Fucking hot water isn't fixed." You muttered under your breath. You continued to curse out your dodgy landlord and your dingy apartment.

But it was what you could afford on your tiny salary, living paycheck to paycheck. You couldn't afford to be fussy.

Once bathed and slightly less stressed, you waddled into your room, flopping onto your mattress, and immediately curling up to go to sleep.

Your stomach growled. The idea of looking for food inside or outside of your apartment depressed you further. 

You went to sleep.

Hopefully there would be food in your fridge tomorrow.

Of course, there wasn't.

You woke up with a devastating hunger and an even more devastating lack of money.

You swore, throwing your blanket off your body with a frustration that almost drove you to tears.

Getting ready was a chore completed only because of the painkillers you choked down. You exited with a choked-out sigh, door slamming behind you. The air was crisp, testament to the seasons changing.

Autumn was nice, not too cool, not too hot. The orange of the maples and other deciduous trees were beautiful. Autumn was a good month.

You weren't too sure if you'd survive to see the next one.

You pushed away those thoughts, the dark ones that often permeated your mind and trekked to the convenience store that ate up most of your leftover money.

"Good morning, Nazo." The worker greeted, just like always.

The 'Nazo' confused you. Nazo as in Nazo the hedgehog? Or as in enigmatic?

"Good morning," you murmured, beelining for the microwaveable foods. You wished you had the money to cook, although you weren't sure you'd have the motivation to. But home-cooked food sounded so wonderful.

You picked up an onigiri.

The back of your neck prickled, and you turned your head ever so slightly to look out the side of your lashes at the big man who had been standing at the door swiftly turned his head.

You made a face.

You continued to browse the snack sections, tossing up between getting something more filling and nutritious or getting something that you'd enjoy more.

You grabbed your favourite snack. You kept an eye on the man outside, who seemed to be keeping an eye on you. His bleach-blonde hair was slicked back, sporting sunglasses that couldn't hide the severe arch of his brow.