Was moving here really the best idea? (Heads up, no it wasn't!)

CHAPTER 1.

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this chapter has no warnings.

8:34PM, October 28, 2023. Third person POV.

He froze as he shifted in his seat, he leaned upwards as he rose onto his feet wearily. He neared the door, a look of worry on his face. He slowly unlocked the door, his heart sinking to the deepest pits of his stomach as he heard the click of the lock. 

He then opened the door slowly, it creaked along and then..

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oh.

"Hello, sir! are you Nate?"

The average sized guy words filled his ears as a wave of relief washed over him. He watched the guy smile and wave his hand.

"uh-" Nate choked on his words as he quickly jumbled something together. "-Yes! yes. I am." He grinned nervously, tucking his hair behind his ears. 

"Ah, splendid! The names Streber!" The guy stuck out his hand in a friendly manner, Nate shook his hand awkwardly as he tensed up his shoulders. 

The odd handshake went on for a good 30 seconds before Nate jerked away. "So uhm, Mr. Streber-" He quickly cut off by Streber, who was failing his hand nervously. "There is no need to call me that! I like to think of everyone I work with as already good friends!"

 He yapped, resting his hand to his side. "Well uh, Streber.." Nate asked dubiously. "Mhm?" Streber hummed. "Why are ya' here?" Nate questioned him, Streber lightly chuckled. "To say hello of course! Y'know, it would be real awkward working with someone you didn't even bother to stop by and say hi to!" Streber  beamed.

"I guess so.." Nate agreed, nodding his head slightly.

" You mind if I come in? I promise I won't soak up too much of your time, I just would like to get to know you!" Streber asked nicely. 

"Ah, sure why not." A smile tugged at his lips. He opened the door for Streber.

Streber slowly walked in, he was scanning the house. Nate closed the door behind him.

"So uh, Streber.. Why'd you hire me?" Streber turned his head over to Nate as that wholesome smile still nagged Nate. "You were just perfect for the role! Plus, no one else in the town wanted to do it and you were willing to move!" Streber put his remaining hand on his side.

"Ah.. uh, do you mind if I question what happened to your arm? "

Streber paused, then laughed a bit. Nate looked a bit confused.

" Well I wouldn't call it a funny story, but it was somethin' " Streber began. 

" Well, it was Halloween night last year, and I guess I came in contact with the wrong guy. He ripped my forearm off and left me there, poor kids thought it was just a show. " Streber sighed in a peaceful way. 

" Kevin almost had a heart attack, I swear. " Streber grinned warmly.

"He- what? " Nate's jaw dropped, a look of utter shock plastered onto his face. Streber laughed a bit at Nate's facial expression.

"Yep, hopefully the children this year don't ask what happened.. that wouldn't be great." Streber spoke calmly. He then checked his watch, he glared at the time as his glasses dipped down. 

" ah shoot! " Streber said in a bit of a panicked manner. "I've got to go! I told Candyboy I'd meet him after his shift- " 

"Who?" Nate closed his jaw as confusion suddenly hit him.

"oh, I mean Kevin! I swear, he's always so worried if i'm minutes late-" Streber said as he opened Nate's door. "I'll talk to you soon!" Streber waved bye with his arm as he walked out.

Before Nate could even say anything, Streber rushed out the door and slammed it behind him. Nate assumed it was a accident.

He hobbled over to his couch and sat down, a look of confusion mixed and stirred with shock placed onto his face. He was trying to process what had just happened in the odd interaction.

" Just sleep it off, Nate. " he whispered to himself, as he slugged up on the couch.

Nate closed his eyes, and rolled over onto his side. He tried his best to drift off into the world of dreams, a place of freedom to him but he just couldn't. Something just felt so off about.

That guy.

This house.

This town.

He sighed and brushed it off as he shoved his face into the couch, he quietly fell asleep after trying not to ponder what this strange town.

END OF CHAPTER 1, 

What y'all think....

Word count: 739 words in total.