Color Me Crimson | 𝘙𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘝𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦

1͢

HANNA

HANNA

I switch the lock into place, and a heavy slide of metal with a final, solidary click  signals the end of another day. Through the glass doors and past my reflection, the world has faded from day to night, from sun and spring and crowds bustling in every destination to winking streetlamps and the sinister threat of lawlessness in the air. To hooded packs of predators jostling under the glow of our chain restaurant's neon sign, passing a blunt and seeking out their nearest prey.

A gunshot fires in the distance. I eye the dark streets before turning my back, wanting to finish closing before the night grows any later. I've lived here long enough to know how not to get killed, but fate's a peculiar mistress and I don't want to get caught in one of her whims.

"Jeez, do you feel that?" my coworker complains, rubbing her arms as she starts stacking the chairs. "Corporate must've turned the heat off already. Don't they know May is still cold around here?"

She's right, I can feel the chill as I head over to the register. But it's colder than it should be. A cold that passes through your bones and makes your brain go numb for a few seconds. A cold I wish I couldn't distinguish from a normal draft. But I do.

"No, I'm sure the heat's working properly." I catch myself and cast a glance in her direction. "I must've left the backdoor cracked again."

"You're insane," she exclaims, and I let out a breath. It comes out in a puff of fog.

Soon the cold will pass, but for now I have to ignore it. Shut myself off to the tingling in my veins. To the loud thud of my heart. To the knowledge that this cold signals death.

I adjust my glasses, squinting at the screen. "Register's off again."

"What? This is the third time in a row." My coworker sets her mop aside and walks away, presumably to get our supervisor. He doesn't usually work this late, but with inconsistencies happening more and more, he decided to check it out for himself.

Soon she's back with him in tow, and I step aside to let him look at the numbers. His beard is unruly, lips cracked and dry as he grunts in disapproval, eyes scanning the screen. "Past three nights you say?"

"Yep," we both answer.

"Who was working?"

"Me and Hanna tonight and the day before last, but yesterday..." My coworker trails off.

"I worked with Aaron." I've needed the extra shifts, taking as many as I could before rent's due.

He looks over at me, raising an eyebrow. "You closed all three nights?"

I dig my nails into my palms, the sharp pain holding back my tongue. I'm not dumb. I've noticed the money always goes missing on my shift, but I've also noticed Aaron's drug habits. And from what I've learned since being hired, he's hooked up with every other female employee. The first time he tried it with me I shut it down, only to get the cold shoulder every day after.

But if any label is worse than being a stuck up prude, it's being a snitch. I know the unspoken rules, and the truth won't matter.

"Yes."

"A word." The supervisor motions to his office. "In private, if you don't mind."

I brace myself and follow behind him into the cramped space. A heavy sigh preludes the ensuing lecture as he sits down in the only available seat. "Between this incident and last week..."

Hands behind my back, I pinch the scars on my wrist and twist until I know two crescent marks will be left behind.

"...finances are tight. Inflation isn't helping and we all know people are in a panic from recent events. The real question is, what will be the cost of training a new server compared to keeping one I can't trust?" Finally he looks up. "It's been a pleasure working with you, Hanna. I wish you the best in the future."

Can't say I return the sentiment. He knows nothing about my future, and moreover, he doesn't care. Cheap bastard will probably take the missing expenses out of my check anyway. That's one thing I've learned; no matter how much money someone has, they are always prone to greed.

I force a polite smile, though the muscles strain in protest. "Well, then. I'll get back to work and finish out my shift."

"No need. I'll give you the rest of the night to yourself as a token of goodwill." He smiles and extends a thick, plump hand.

Instead of offering mine, I take off the plastic nametag pinned on my blouse—the one piece of uniform I didn't have to buy—and hand it over. "Here, I should return this."

"Ah, thank you." He takes the name tag and swivels back to the computer. I take that as my dismissal.

Closing the door, I hold my chin up and walk out.

Hmm, so who do you think will save who? Vampire Levi, or Waitress Hanna? Cast your vote here and let's see who guesses right >>>

❤️‍🩹 Siberia