The Love Interest (Ethan Landry x female!Reader 18+)

Chapter 1: The Cardboard Knight

The white ghost mask looked sorrowful, almost regretful, as it held  the sharp knife up to your throat. Strong hands pressed the blade just  enough for hot liquid to drip down to your chest. You couldn't see it but you knew it was your blood. The dark alleyway concealed you from any onlookers and any reach for help as you  desperately tried to pull the black gloved hand away. There was no way to call for help, no way to scream. Not that there was anyone to listen.

"I'm sorry," the voice was a whisper in the wind.

You thought back to how stupid you had been to trust him. But could you really blame yourself? For desperately wanting someone to trust, someone to protect you when it felt like nobody else was there for you?

When you first really talked at that Halloween frat party, he was eyeing you from across the room. He wore a handmade knight costume out of cardboard and duct tape, his hair curled from behind the helmet. You thought it was both cute and endearing- the attention he gave you from afar. The knight you desperately wanted.

Two Nights Before Halloween.

You were all dressed up as your roommate Anika hauled you along to "the  Halloween party of the year," or so she called it. Tonight you wore the  iconic Mia Wallace set from Pulp Fiction; short black bobbed wig, white button up shirt and of course bell bottoms. The one fun part of these  parties was dressing up.

Your film studies class had been raving about the party, and you weren't doing great in terms of friends having just moved to the city. So why not go to a party? Especially since your peppy, overly encouraging roommate was going and wanted to drag you along. She had spent the last couple of hours in your shared room perfecting the best pumpkin look she could, no doubt to impress, and you knew she would.

She was dressed in a cute bright orange pumpkin  shirt with matching bucket hat, ready to party and drink the night away with her heels clicking on the city sidewalk in front of you.

You put one white ear bud in your ear, playing your On Repeat playlist to try and calm your nerves.

"There will be lots of boys there," Anikas' voice piped up, sensing your unease "you like boys right?"

It was no secret Anika and Mindy had something going on. While she framed this as a chance for you to mingle, you knew she wanted a chance to get closer with Mindy. Still, you played along. It wouldn't hurt to find your own love interest.

"Sometimes," you reply with a sly smile. Truth be told, you weren't exactly interested in the fuckboys these parties tended to attract like fruit flies. Your type was softer, kinder.

Looking back at you, her curled brown and blond hair  flowing in the wind. She always looked gorgeous, like a supermodel except with a sweet edge rather than sharp. Her face turned from  optimism to concern upon seeing your expression. She stopped in her tracks, putting her arm around you in a tight reassuring hug.

"You don't have to go with me if you don't want to," she said more compassionate this time.

"I know," you smile at her "thanks but I want to. I'm just nervous."

"It'll be fine, I'll introduce you to all of mine and Mindys' friends," she squeezed your shoulder tightly as you nod, her black painted lips turned  up into a smile "I've got your back."

You make your way to the party with her arm linked through yours, confidently carrying you both.  The trek seemed to take forever even though it was only a couple blocks away, your legs feeling numb against the New York air.

You hear the party from a block away, loads of students coming and going with  different costumes making you feel uneasy. Strangers laughed, bickered, and had loud chatter as they walked seemingly from all directions. Strangers with intentions unknown, people you possibly will never see again. Classic New York people traffic. Normally, you didn't mind or even enjoyed the city aesthetic. Now though, there was too much  happening. Sirens blasted as cop cars drove down the street, lights  flashing harshly in your eyes reflecting off of glass windows and  puddles. Part of you wondered where they were going in such a hurry, but you decided it best not to think about it right now, cop cars were  constantly coming and going somewhere in the night.