Stranger (Johnny slaughter x reader)

Ally

Johnny's fingers delved into the depths of the glove box, emerging clutching a fistful of quarters. The night held its breath as he locked eyes with Y/n, determination etched across his face. With a quiet resolve, he swung open the car door, plunging into the cool embrace of the night.

"Let's go," he urged, the words carrying the weight of the unknown that lay ahead. The eerie stillness of the surroundings seemed to echo their urgency as they stood beside the payphone.

Y/n's eyes were drawn back to the very payphone they had visited just hours earlier. Johnny, his demeanor now stripped of its previous cocky veneer, fed quarters into the slot with an air of desperation and fear. It was a surreal moment, almost like déjà vu, but Johnny's transformation from menacing to scared was stark and unsettling.

Y/n hesitated for a moment before saying, "Johnny, it's the middle of the night. Nobody's going to answer now. We should wait until morning."

Johnny's initial response was anger, his frustration bubbling to the surface. But then he softened, taking a deep breath before he explained, "You don't understand. I need to find out where she's being held. I can't wait any longer, y/n. I've got to know, even if it means waking someone up right now."

Y/n felt a pang of disgust wash over her as Johnny's words sank in. The irony of the situation was glaring. He was desperate to find Nancy, to know her whereabouts, to ensure her safety. Yet, he seemed blind to the fact that this is precisely how the Flores family, and countless others before them, must have felt when their loved ones had gone missing at Johnny's family's hands. The torment they endured, the sleepless nights, the relentless searching for answers—it all mirrored Johnny's desperation now. It was a stark reminder that victims' families had suffered the same anguish he was experiencing, and it left Y/n with a bitter taste in her mouth.

Johnny couldn't help but notice the disgust on Y/n's face. He saw the revulsion in her eyes, a reflection of the inner turmoil he had unwittingly brought upon her. Shame welled up within him, and he looked down, unable to meet her gaze. His tough exterior crumbled, and he teetered on the brink of tears.

Y/n hesitantly dialed Jerry's number, her fingers trembling as she pressed each digit. The phone rang, and she held her breath, waiting for him to answer, unsure of what to expect next.

The phone rang several times before it finally went to Jerry's voicemail. Y/n took a deep breath and left a message:

"Jerry, it's me, Y/n. I know it's late, but this is urgent. This is a pay phone so don't call this number back if you don't get this until the morning, but you should expect a call at some point. Good night."

She hung up and looked at Johnny, her anxiety mounting as she wondered if Jerry would even listen to her message, let alone call back.

Johnny's impatience grew, and he urged Y/n, "Dial again, Y/n. Keep trying until someone picks up." The urgency in his voice was palpable as he anxiously awaited any response, desperate for a lifeline to help him navigate the storm of revelations that had been unleashed.

Her resolve unwavering, Y/n dialed Jerry's number once more, her patience waning as the phone rang and eventually went to voicemail again, leaving them in a frustrating and uncertain limbo.

Johnny's panic became palpable, and y/n, sensing his distress, asked softly, "Johnny, can we try again tomorrow? It's really late, and we might have a better chance of reaching him then."

Frustration and emotions welled up within Johnny, and he exclaimed, "You just don't get it, y/n! We can't wait until tomorrow! We need answers now!"

Fed up with the fear and guilt that Johnny had inflicted upon her, y/n finally snapped, her voice raised in frustration. "What do I get from all of this, Johnny?" she shouted, tears streaming down her face.

Johnny's anger and frustration melted away, leaving him standing before y/n, vulnerable and exposed. His eyes welled up with tears, and he began to speak in a quivering voice.

"I... I don't know," he stammered, his face contorted with anguish. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, as if trying to pull himself together. His shoulders shook as he continued, "I'm just... I'm so scared, y/n. Scared for auntie, scared for what's happening to her."

As he spoke, Johnny's body seemed to slump, and he stood there, trembling under the weight of his emotions. The enormity of his actions, the knowledge of what Black Nancy had done, and the realization of what might be happening to her now had pushed him to the edge of despair.

Y/n watched, her own anger giving way to sympathy, as Johnny displayed his vulnerability. It was a heartbreaking sight, a man whose tough exterior had finally cracked under the immense pressure of the situation. She hesitated for a moment before tentatively reaching out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Y/n watched Johnny, her internal thoughts shifting as she witnessed his vulnerability. In that moment, her perspective changed drastically. She no longer saw the menacing captor who had imprisoned her but rather a scared young boy, terrified for someone he cared about. This internal shift frightened her more than anything else.

"Johnny... it can wait a night," Y/n said softly, hoping to pull Johnny back from the edge of his emotional breakdown.

Johnny gazed at her, frustration returning to his features like a dark shadow. "Why'd you cut the rope?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Y/n couldn't help but let out a disbelieving chuckle, uncertain how to respond to the surreal question. "Are you serious?" she replied, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Johnny's expression remained resolute, his jaw clenching in anticipation of her reply. "You're holding me prisoner, Johnny. You have to realize I'm not okay with that," Y/n declared, her hand slipping away as she stepped back.

"Why aren't you running right now?" Johnny's words carried a hint of sadness as his face twitched, betraying his inner turmoil.

Y/n paused, taking a moment to consider those words. Why hadn't she seized the opportunity to open the truck door and escape while Johnny grappled with his emotions? It was a question that hung heavily in the air.

Instead of delving further into that unsettling thought, Y/n continued with a hint of grit in her voice, "Do you want me to?"

Johnny stared at her, his head shaking in response to her question.

Y/n pressed on, her frustration mounting. "I know you can end me at any moment. So, what's the point of locking me up?"

Johnny maintained his intense gaze, absorbing Y/n's words.

"When we're back," Y/n insisted, her arms now crossed in defiance, "you're taking this chain off me."

Johnny hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement.

Taking a step forward, Y/n persisted, testing the boundaries of Johnny's newfound compliance. "And when we find Nancy, you'll let me go, okay?"

Johnny stammered, his voice wavering, "I... I don't know if that's possible. You know too much, Y/n."

A sense of dread washed over Y/n, her chest tightening in despair. "I won't tell anyone. I swear," she pleaded with Johnny, her fingers digging into her upper arms as her hopelessness clawed at her.

"I won't kill you, Y/n, I promise. But I can't protect you," Johnny admitted solemnly.

Y/n experienced a mild sense of relief, but the thought of someone like Cook or Nubbins turning on her one day still haunted her.

The heavy silence by the payphone hung between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of the fragile truce they had just forged.

"Let's go," Johnny said, his voice tense. "We'll drive around and find a place to stay for the night. I don't want to go home."

Y/n nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and relief. The situation had momentarily shifted, and for now, they were allies in the night.

As they walked back to the truck, Y/n couldn't help but mention, "There's a motel I stayed at when I first got here. It's not too far from here. We can check if they have any rooms available."

Johnny gave a curt nod, and they both climbed into the truck, setting off into the quiet night.