LOVESTRUCK // Slashers x Fem Reader

Chapter 16 - Actually, I Quite Like Taxidermy

(A/N: Sorry I didn't upload yesterday, I was very busy. I won't be uploading tomorrow or any other Saturday from here on out because I need a day off from writing or I'll burn myself out. Anyways, please enjoy!)

 Driving for hours on end is stressful for anyone. Driving for hours on end is extra stressful, however, when you have four annoying little asshols arguing over a bag of chips in the backseat of your car. Worse yet was that it was raining incredibly badly, making driving safely ever the challenge.

So I'm sure we all can imagine the great pleasure you took in finally spotting a motel to stay in overnight. As you drove into the parking lot, you read over the sign. Something in it rang familiar in the back of your brain. 'BATES MOTEL'. Why did you recognize it?

Regardless, you were too tired to really care. You pulled into one of the spots turned off the engine, "Arlight, I'm. Heading inside to the office. I'm gonna get us a room, and then I'll come back and get you guys. Don't kill each other while I'm gone." you scolded.

Everyone nodded. You grabbed your wallet and car keys, and headed across the covered awning to the office. It was freezing. Beyond freezing, in fact. You were shuddering, and pulled your arms into your stomach.

When you entered the office, you immediately felt slightly uneasy. The room was entirely empty, and rather dark. But the open sign was up. You rung the bell on the desk, hoping someone would come forth from the back of the room to assist you.

Your prayers were answered. A man walked out from the back of the office holding a clipboard. A polite smile was plastered across his face. It looked almost unnatural. As if he was trying far too hard to keep it there.

You returned the smile sheepishly, praying that the strange man wouldn't equate to another insane encounter. You'd had far too many of those as of late.

"Welcome to the Bates Motel. How can I help you?" the man spoke. Again, the politeness in his voice felt almost forced. As if he was trying to be nice, and, in the process, stressing himself out by doing so.

"I'm here with a couple of my friends. We need a room for tonight."

Your statement seemed to slightly confuse him, "A single room? Hm."

You laughed slightly, "I prefer to keep an eye on them. They're all a bit odd. And they could cause trouble if I don't keep them in line."

He smiled understandingly, "Ah I see. Well then, it'll be $50 even then."

You nodded and pulled out your wallet. You counted out 2 twenties and a ten, and handed them to him, "That should be right. Double check if you would though."

The man nodded and glanced down, "Exactly right." He pulled a key off of a hook, and handed it to you, "Here you are."

You took it and smiled, "Thank you uhm..."

"Norman. Or Mr. Bates if you want to be formal."

"Thank you then, Mr. Bates."

You made your way away from the office and walked towards your car to get your friends. As you walked under the awning, it dawned on you. The Bates Motel. Norman Bates. Those names. The ones you'd read in the article.

But that had been 20 years ago. They probably got it wrong and let him go. And yet... you couldn't help that uneasiness that crept its way up your spine.

You got to your car and groaned, seeing Bill and Stu arguing quite vehemently with Freddy about something stupid again. You opened the door, and they all turned to you.

You grinned and held up your room key, shaking it, "Come on. Let's go."

They nodded and hopped out of the car one by one, rushing to the awning to avoid getting drenched. Chucky struggled a bit, so you simply carried him. You got your things from your car, and locked it up for the night, before heading to your room.