Mountain Crest

Chapter II - [The Night-Shift]

[Content Warning in Author's Note]

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At around 9:30pm, Maisie packed a water bottle, her wallet and her phone into her shoulder bag.

She steps outside into the cool night. If deciding against a jacket was a mistake, it will bite her in the ass later and not now.

The steps creak under her weight, and she can see the store beneath her is already closed. Despite the absence of people, it's not a quiet night- Critters and the sound of wind fill the silence.

In one ear, Maisie put in a headphone. If she's wearing her hair in a bun and listening to music, she should at least keep one ear free in case someone dangerous wants to ambush a young woman.

Some soft music playing through the headphone calmed her a little as she walked the path down to the main part of town.

She looked up and saw the dark sky. There's a lot of dark clouds today, but every now and then you could see a glimpse of the starry night, and the moon.

That's a part she liked quite a bit more here than in the city. Because there aren't nearly as many cars, there's nights in which the sky is just breathtaking.

Just like the trek up and down the mountain.

More and more buildings started to surround her, and in the distance Maisie could even see the edge of the crest the town was named after. Street lanterns gave off a gentle glow, and wolves could be heard howling in an otherwise silent town. Everything is closed.

Except, of course, one building.

After less than an hour, Maisie entered Fred's Bar.

Gone was the quiet, empty atmosphere from yesterday. The place was full to the brim, each room and table filled with strangers talking and drinking.

Maisie could smell the alcohol in the air, and as she walked towards the bar she could see people playing darts in the room to her right.

One of the men hits bullseye, and they all yell out in joy.

She turns to watch it for a second longer, a smile playing at her lips, before walking to the door next to the bar. Freddy waves to her as she passes, and she smiles back. A staff room with easy passage to the kitchen and storage rooms.

Using a key Freddy gave her yesterday, she opens a locker and puts her belongings inside. Additionally, she puts on her dark green apron with the dove, and reties her hair bun so that no hairs can fall into her face.

It will make her face look a little strange, though. Usually it looks better if its framed by a few loose hairs, however, it's past 9pm and she's getting paid minimum wage.

There's not anyone in the bar she wants to be pretty for, anyways.

With one last encouraging look at herself in the mirror, she nods, and goes out of the staff room into the hustle.

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It's easy, the mindless chatter when someone talks to her. Pouring and preparing more complicated drinks. She even impresses a group of friends with a small throwing trick.

Freddy decided to take care of the guests sitting at the tables, bringing them their drinks and small snacks every now and then. Maisie does that too whenever it isn't too busy at the bar.

People come, and go, and she feels as though she's seen more of Mountain Crest's people during this short period of time than in the entire week she's been here. There's more younger people than she would have expected, but she sees people of all ages and phases of lifes.