A few more days passed, and it was your very first weekend as a college student. So, what were you doing?
Working.
At a gas station.
On the night shift.
Alone.
What could go wrong?
Admittedly, the job was sketchy and probably not the safest gig out there—but it was the only place that responded to your job applications. And you didn't exactly have the luxury of waiting around for a better offer.
Money is money.
Besides, your mom had armed you with pepper spray before you left home, so you weren't entirely defenseless.
Thankfully, the station wasn't exactly popular. On most nights, a few tired truckers and stressed-out students grabbed a coffee or energy drink and left in peace.
It was just after midnight when someone walked in. You barely noticed—too caught up trying to solve a string of stubborn finance homework problems. Fingers flying between your laptop keyboard, your calculator, and your notebook, you didn't look up until you heard a soft throat-clearing at the counter.
A man stood there, wearing a blue mask that completely obscured his face. He held a honey bun and a bottle of water.
"Oh! Hello! Sorry—I didn't even notice you came in."
He tilted his head slightly. "Homework?"
You bagged his items and glanced at your open laptop. "Yeah... I'm not supposed to be doing it on the clock, but I got bored."
He hummed, not in judgment, just acknowledgment. "Math?"
"Finance. Which, unfortunately, is math." You gave a small laugh as you rang up his total.
"My professor doesn't explain things very well, so I'm trying to learn the material before class. Makes it easier to keep up."
He handed over a five.
"You sound like a good student," he said.
"I wouldn't go that far," you replied, handing him his change and the bag. "I just don't want to fall behind. My parents drilled that habit into me."
He gave a small nod, almost nostalgic, like someone who'd been through it all before.
"Well, that's everything! Have a good night!"
The masked man didn't say much else. He turned and walked out.
You spun back around to face your laptop, already deep into the next problem, unaware of the thoughts swirling in your customer's head as he crossed the empty street.
Did she seriously not notice the blood on my pants? Or the mask? Huh.
He stepped into the woods
Branches crunched beneath his boots as he walked deeper into the trees. A twig snapped behind him.
"Jack."
He turned. Jeff stood there, his white hoodie soaked in blood.
"Jeff."
Jeff raised an eyebrow. "Whatcha got?"
Jack held up the plastic bag. "Water. And a honey bun. For Sally."
Jeff frowned. "Not for me?"
Jack shrugged.
"You walked in like that?" Jeff pointed to the dark red stain on Jack's leg.
"She didn't notice. Too busy solving math problems."
YOU ARE READING
how did this happen. . ?
Fiksi PenggemarY/n knew that she should've stayed home for school. Maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe she would've had a normal college experience. Not befriending a group of hit men that have decided to use your dorm room as a hangout spot. Started: 01...
