LOL (Lolbit x Reader)

~ 02 ~

∆ Searching ∆

The next morning, you set out early, determined to explore more of the town. The weather hadn’t improved—thick clouds loomed overhead, casting a gray hue over the narrow streets. The old town was small, just as it had appeared when you first arrived, with its weathered buildings and quiet roads giving it a sleepy, forgotten feel.

You walked past the few shops on Main Street, their windows displaying faded signs and dusty merchandise. You had already tried asking around here before, but no one seemed to know anything about your father. Today, you decided to try further out, maybe in the residential areas, or the small cafes tucked away on the side streets.

At a small diner, you hesitated before stepping in. It looked old-fashioned, with worn vinyl booths and a long counter lined with chrome stools. The smell of coffee and fried food hit you the moment you walked through the door.

"Morning, hun," the waitress said, not looking up from her notepad as she filled another order. You nodded and found a spot at the counter. After a minute, she came over, a tired smile on her face. "What can I get ya?"

You thought for a moment. "Just coffee. And… I was wondering if you might know someone. By the last name of Afton-"

Her smile faded as she turned to pour the coffee, “nope sorry hun. Never heard of him. I'd suggest asking someone else but ya probably won’t get much info around these parts. Town’s been real tight-lipped lately, especially about outsiders.”

You frowned, sipping your coffee as you watched her walk away. This was starting to feel like a dead end. The townspeople seemed to know something they weren’t saying, and it frustrated you. Was everyone in on some secret you weren’t supposed to know?

After a while, you left the diner and continued your search. You passed by a park, its grass overgrown and benches rusted with age. A few people were walking around, but they all avoided eye contact. You approached a man feeding pigeons near the old fountain. He looked up when you got closer, squinting.

“Excuse me,” you began, trying to sound as polite as possible. “I’m looking for someone who used to live here. I think he might still be in town. His name’s—”

“Don’t know him,” the man interrupted, shaking his head before you even finished. He turned back to the birds, dismissing you as if your question didn’t matter. 

Geez he was rude. You spent the next few hours trying different places— a small corner store, and even the local gas station. But the response was always the same. Either no one had ever heard of him, or they were quick to shut you down before you could ask more.

As you walked back through the town square, frustration bubbled inside you. *Why is no one willing to help?

Feeling a bit discouraged, you start making your way back home. You still had a shift to get ready for...

As for last night—well, it had been weird, sure. But after thinking about it, you figured it was probably just a technical glitch with the cameras. That "please stand by" message? Probably just a loading screen. It made sense.

And the tapping? It could’ve been something simple, like the wind or one of the animatronics moving around.

Nothing to be scared of, you told yourself.

As you turned the corner onto your street, lost in thought, you weren’t paying attention and accidentally bumped into someone.

“Oh—shit, sorry!” you blurted out.

“Nah, you’re fine,” came the reply.

When you looked up, you were met with a pair of striking blue eyes set in a handsome face, around your age. His golden blonde hair caught the light, and he smiled easily.

“I was walking kinda fast anyway,” he laughed, brushing it off. “You look new around here, though.”

“How’d you know?” you asked, curious.

“It’s a small town. I work at the coffee shop, so I see a lot of regular faces. I'd definitely remember yours if I’d seen it before,” he said, his eyes scanning your face with interest. "This is the first time, for sure.”

Was he flirting? You wondered. 

You didn’t have much experience when it came to boys or flirting, but this definitely felt like it.

What were you supposed to say?

"Ah—well, yeah, I’m pretty new. Just moved here. Er... my name’s Y/N," you stammered, feeling painfully awkward.

Any interest he might’ve had would surely disappear now that he’d seen your complete inability to socialize. You could practically feel the awkwardness radiating off of you.

"Even your name is pretty. Ha, sorry, I might be coming off kinda strong." He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. "My name's Zack. What's brought you to this shithole of a town?"

"Oh—I'm actually trying to find my father. You probably wouldn’t know, though... No one else seems to have a clue."

"Try me."

"Well... I don’t know his first name. Only that it starts with an M, but his last name is Afton."

Zack’s eyes narrowed slightly, like the name struck a chord. "That name sounds familiar… Tell you what, let me do some digging, and I’ll see if I can help you out. You got a number?"

Either he was genuinely eager to help, or he was just really smooth. 

Regardless, you weren’t against the idea of a potential romantic relationship—or even just friendship. His help would be an added bonus.

You exchanged numbers, feeling a small flutter of excitement as you parted ways.

Entering your apartment, you made a beeline for the shower. The water pressure sucked, but at least it was hot. As the steam filled the bathroom, you let your thoughts drift to the upcoming shift. After the weirdness of last night, you wanted to be better prepared.

Once out of the shower, you packed your bag with a blanket, some snacks, and a book—just in case it turned out to be as uneventful as the night before. Slinging your jacket on, you stepped out into the quiet, dimly lit streets. The eerie stillness of the town seemed to follow you as you made your way to work.