I needed a job. So, like everyone else, I started looking at employment opportunities. The problem was that I lacked experience while possessing excellent qualifications. My lack of social skills became apparent during job interviews, making it difficult for me to effectively convey my qualifications and connect with potential employers. But in the end, I obtained a job at a tiny grocery store near my home. The owner was an elderly woman who could no longer work all day without rest. So I began working in that foul-smelling facility in the afternoons.
The grocery store was a dimly lit space, barely larger than a closet, with narrow aisles cluttered with dusty shelves. Some of the products on display were past their expiration dates; their packaging had faded and worn. The air inside was heavy with the scent of rotting produce and the sharp tang of cleaning chemicals, making it difficult to take a deep breath without feeling a sense of unease. It wasn't an ideal job, but I needed the money.
Initially, everything was well. Sometimes I wanted to slam certain clients against the wall, but I refrained since I needed the money. Each day, I put on a fake smile and did my best to tolerate the unpleasant smells and demanding customers.
One day, a young, handsome man arrived. He had a charming smile and a polite demeanour, making him stand out among the usual grumpy patrons.
"Hello, my name is Adrien Windsong. I'm new to the neighbourhood," he said.
In the face of such kindness, I became suspicious. What does he want? Is it just sex, like all men desire? Or does he have something else in mind, something more dangerous? That'd be interesting.
"My name is Arabella," I responded sucking my lips. "What do you want?"
"I wanted some apples, a litre of milk, and a package of cookies. It's for breakfast tomorrow. I just got back and don't have anything for breakfast." Adrian said, his brown eyes staring at me.
"So, what are you having for dinner?" I asked.
He thought for a moment, a bashful smile on his face.
"I was planning on going to a nearby restaurant," he said.
"Come to my house," I said without thinking.
Adrien's brown eyes widened in surprise, and a slight blush coloured his cheek. He hesitated for a moment before offering a hesitant smile.
"Are you sure? I don't want to impose," he replied politely, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity.
He wanted sex. I knew it. And I responded:
"Yes, I have a lot of food at home, and I want you to eat it, all of it."
Adrien's face flushed deeper, his surprise giving way to a mix of relief and excitement. He nodded eagerly, his curiosity now masked behind an innocent grin. So Adrien walked to my place without knowing what awaited him there.
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THE MONSTER INSIDE ME (#ONC2024)
Horror#ONC2024 Round two Ambassadors' pick. :D SHORTLIST ONC 2024 My prompt is number 3: Your greatest fear is monsters in the dark. The last thing you expect is to become the monster in the dark. Arabella Dagon was always afraid of the dark. In the dar...
