Stranger (Johnny slaughter x reader)

Dinner pt.3

Y/N waited nervously for a response, her instincts tugging at her to back away while she still had the chance. She took another sweeping look around her dim surroundings.

"Well, this is just phenomenal, isn't it..." she muttered to herself, her anxiety growing. She tilted her head, attempting to peer through the window. The curtain moved slightly, but she couldn't see anyone inside. The fact that every light was on indicated that someone had to be home.

Y/N readjusted the strap of her backpack, contemplating whether to abandon this mystery in her story altogether. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard the lock jingle. Her heart raced as the door creaked open.

She looked up at the person opening the door and, to her surprise, made eye contact. "Johnny?" she uttered.

Johnny struggled to find his words, taken aback by the unexpected encounter. "Uh..."

"I saw you at the gas station earlier. I'm the girl investigating the missing persons cases," Y/N explained, her voice filled with a hint of relief. A friendly face emerged from this unexpected situation.

"Oh, yes, Y/N, sorry," Johnny replied, finally managing to open the screen door and step outside. "I'd invite you in, but my family is kind of setting up for dinner. It gets messy," he added with a light chuckle.

Johnny knew all too well why he couldn't let her come inside. Their peculiar choice of decor might unsettle her. While any hunter might have animal trophies on their walls, Johnny's family had some unconventional items, like the lampshades made from human faces or his older brother Bubba's unsettling collection of human masks, maybe even their skeleton lamps, possibly their bone couch.

"No worries, I didn't expect you to be here," Y/N replied, her relief evident as her nervousness gave way to a more bubbly demeanor.

"Well, there isn't anything for miles," Johnny retorted, his tone remaining cold.

"That's a good point," Y/N agreed, trying to keep the conversation friendly despite Johnny's demeanor.

"What are you doing here? It's private property," Johnny said, his voice taking on a more ominous tone.

Y/N watched him nervously swallow and sensed an undercurrent of danger in him. "I had some questions, and the gate was open. I figured someone was home."

"Does an open gate count as an invitation?" Johnny asked, clearly less than enthused.

"I guess not," Y/N admitted, her tone turning apologetic. "Look, I'll leave. I just need you and maybe some people in your home to answer some questions if it isn't too much trouble."

Johnny looked around the moon lit yard, taking a moment to contemplate. Finally, he sighed and turned back to Y/N.

"I'll answer your questions, but I don't think anyone inside would..." Johnny's words were abruptly cut short by the sudden swing of the screen door.

"I-is that her?" Nubbins chimed in, his voice filled with both curiosity and a hint of amusement. He reached out to grip Johnny's shoulder, his touch sending a shiver down Johnny's spine.

"Nub, not now, please," Johnny sighed, his patience wearing thin. He turned his head away from Y/N, hoping to avoid further embarrassment.

Nubbins' face contorted into a scowl. "Just because you're... you're big, don't mean you can treat me like a baby!" Nubbins stormed outside, compelling Johnny to face him. "I-im older than you, y'know?" He giggled, then turned toward Y/N, beaming. "I'm older than him." He laughed, his smile unnaturally wide.

Y/N forced a chuckle and returned a sweet smile, trying to keep the situation from escalating further.

Y/N examined Nubbins closely, her expression growing more worried. "Woah, are you okay?" She pointed at his shirt, which was drenched in blood.