Midnight Feast

The clock hand creeped hitting 12, as she stepped out of her office_ the last one to leave. Walking under the night sky as the darkness kept cloaking every sight that came across her view. The streets...deserted. Drowned in silence. No sign of life. The pangs of hunger gnawed at her stomach. In the whispers of silence, the only thing heard, were the cruel growls of her stomach. As she walked, her eyes scanned the darkened storefronts , each one closed and lifeless; knowing her home was a hundred miles afar. The exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders, like a ghostly burden, dragging her down into the abyss . Her legs wimpy from her hunger; body fragile, she still kept marching with her shrill legs in lifeless streets as if she'll make it ; make it far enough to be filled with life once again.

Firming her drowsy shrill steps , she saw a small, dimly lit restaurant that stood like a beacon in the night; a flicker of hope. A neon sign glowing in the dark, buzzing faintly in the echoes of silence. Her eyes widened, relief mingling with curiosity as she took in the words: "MIDNIGHT FEAST". Starved and drawn by an almost magnetic pull , she felt a surge of hope, a thrill of anticipation stronger than the hunger itself. She didn't think twice before crossing the street, her heart beating just a bit fast as she approached the strange, solitary restaurant.

She stood in front of the dark, isolated , dusky atmosphere of the restaurant as she pushed the door. The door swung open, and shadows spilled out from the restaurant's dimly lit interior. Inside... flickers of low, amber light barely pierced the darkness, sating long, twisted shadows over tables cloaked in mystery. The air was thick with whispers and the faint aroma of something rich and smoky, drawing her in like a secret waiting to be unveiled. As she stepped in, taking in the thick air of that atmosphere. Her eyes roaming around, perceiving every little detail of the restaurant until they settled upon a tall figure behind the counter, his eyes glinting in the dusk, a gaze that seemed to follow her every move, offering her a smile that felt warm but somehow lingered just a moment too long.

" Is it just me , or did it get darker in here when you walked in and stole the spotlight?" , he said with a playful smile in that murky ambiance.

" That... was cheesy." She said with her enlarged eyes, the darkness hiding her flushed cheeks.

''Your words seems as if they crave a bit flavor. Let me do that job.'' He smirked and continued , "Welcome to MIDNIGHT FEAST_ A place... where we serve_ life ." His tone growing a little darker on the latter part.

She stood silently, gazing into his dark eyes, shadowed by the strands of dark curls tumbling across his forehead. He leaned forward from behind the counter, almost too close. ''What brings you here at this hour? Don't worry, my secrets are safe...as long as you're hungry.'' The latter part almost a dark secret warmly whispered across her face, leaving her breathless.

She gulped her breaths; her breaths trembling from this midnight enigmatic newness. She asked, ''Umm...Do you...work here?''

''I... own this restaurant, also I am the chef, because I know how to handle my meat.''

''What?'' , she uttered in confusion.

'' Don't worry I only cook what I catch'', he said as if telling her a horror camp story, but followed by a wink at last which diverted her focus from his enigmatic tone.

Maybe it was her hunger that was diverting her from lending an ear or maybe it was his charm, casting a subtle haze over her thoughts, veiling her focus in shadowed allure. Her thoughts tangled in his presence, but a quiet ache brought her back. She glanced up at him, the faintest of smile playing on her lips. 'I'm captivated... and, well, starving.'

'' You look like someone who appreciates a taste of the extraordinary; how about I serve you something you'll never forget '' , he said passing her a warm smile.