It took a few minutes for the heater in her small SUV to warm up. But as the warm air started to blow through the vents, Yasmine’s body finally felt like it was coming back to life. As much as she didn’t regret the hug, she wished that she didn’t have to suffer for it. Pulling off the blanket that was draped over her, she took a deep breath. Today’s mission was to get her new work schedule down. She may be starting at the bottom rung of her field of study, but she was lucky she got in anywhere. Even more so, it was somewhere outside the city

It was still early in the morning but there were already tons of people out and about. It made sense being a big housing community for local farms. She watched as people waved to others as they passed. Even she got a hat tilt from a rather attractive looking man in a old truck that made her cheeks heat up something fierce. She was going to like it here a lot.

She pulled up to a small shack that advertised specialty coffee and snacks she spotted on her drive into town. Eagerly waiting in a line that was already five cars deep. While she waited, she pulled out her phone, remembering that she still hadn’t responded to the question that Valerie, well, Bryant, had asked yesterday. Did she want to give him his number? He was decently handsome and very kind. But he lived so far away now that it just seemed like a bad idea to get involved in a long distance relationship while figuring out her new life and job. Not to mention she had no idea how she would explain Monty if Bryant ever came over. She didn’t want to have to hide Monty like that, It wasn’t fair to him. So she quickly shot a text to her friend.

“Hey Val, sorry for not getting back to you yesterday. Please let Byrant know that I think he’s a great guy. I just can’t get into anything right now with the new job and the distance. Thanks!”

Yasmine then put her phone away as it was her turn to order. Getting a large, hot, white mocha, latte, and a cream-filled chocolate pastry, she was in heaven as she continued the drive to work, taking bites of her sweet breakfast followed by a sip of her steaming coffee. It was quite possibly the best tasting thing she’d ever had in her life. Something about how fresh everything was that just gave it the extra wow factor.

The drive to the town's city hall was short from the coffee shop. Pulling into the parking lot she noticed a few cars there already. Easily finding a spot near the front she parked her car and shoved the last bite of her pastry into her greedy maw. The rich cream and bittersweet chocolate was a perfect match. With a sigh of contentment, she looked at herself in the rearview mirror cleaning any remaining mess off her face her tongue couldn't reach. Yasmine took one last big breath before fixing her hair and giving herself a small pep talk.

“You can do this Yasmine, you have studied your butt off for this moment. Get in there and show them you can hang with the best of them.” With a self assured, “Hmmph.” She grabbed her half empty coffee and stepped out of the car, walking into the city hall building.

She was greeted by the sound of some country song playing softly over the speakers. Looking around, it was a rather small building that didn’t have much of an entrance. She felt her enthusiasm fading quickly. There was a large counter that took up most of the room past an elevator that led to the second floor. It made a shiver run down her spine, remembering her last encounter with the foul invention. There wasn’t even any security past a metal detector that she walked through. It honestly didn’t even look like it was plugged in. Once she got up to the counter, she looked around. No one was there.

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“U-umm hello?" Yasmine called out. Yeah, she was about fifteen minutes early from when they told her to show up. But she didn’t think it was so early that no one would be there. After all, the doors were unlocked. So, she waited, desperately looking around for someone, anyone who might be able to give her some information. Sipping her coffee, she tried to make it last as long as possible.

Five minutes passed, then ten, then fifteen. It was officially when she was told to be here. The empty building was starting to give her the creeps, and the low dulcet tones of the country singers on the speakers were starting to sound more like a haunting melody. Looking at her phone, she watched as the time ticked one minute over the hour. She was officially late, and panic was starting to well up in her.

“Nnnnnngh, what is this place’s deal!” She groaned loudly. This had the effect of hearing the sound of someone snorting as if suddenly awoken and a loud bang coming from the large counter she was standing by.

“Eeep!” Yasmine cried out in shock from the noise that startled her. She still couldn’t see anyone, so she started to wonder if it was another ghost. After all, if Monty existed, then why wouldn’t others? Perhaps she was special, and they were attracted to her presence now? The possibilities flooded her mind, and she really started to panic. That was until the heavy drawl of a southern accent came from under the counter.

“Gad blast it, my head, " the masculine voice grumbled. Crawling out from under the counter, a lean but unkempt man pushed himself up. His shaggy, dirty blonde hair was cut short. His light blue button up sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he wore a well worn pair of dark blue jeans. When he turned around, the scruff of his beard was thick and so dark it looked dirty. His eyes were a steel gray that seemed cold and tired.

Their eyes met, and Yasmine jumped slightly. Was he some homeless man who broke in here and fell asleep? What if she was in danger or something? She took a step back from him. He was a good foot taller than her, possibly more.

“Can I help-” He finally said in a gruff tone of voice when something seemed to get stuck in his throat and he started hacking and coughing into his hand. “Uggh, sorry bout that, like I was sayin', what can I do fer ya?” He said as he wiped his hand on his jeans. Yasmine wasn’t a germaphobe, but even she thought that was disgusting.

“I-I-I” She stammered quietly, trying to find her voice.

“Whazzat now? Come on then, speak up, girly.” He prodded, trying to get her to speak up making her let out another squeak of fear from his boisterous voice. She swallowed her fear and opened her mouth to say something, but she floundered when she finally noticed the empty holster on his waist. She felt herself go pale. He had a gun somewhere. He wasn’t a homeless man, he was a burgler waiting to rob who ever came in next.

“He must have everyone tied up in the back! Oh god, I gotta get out of here.” She took another step back toward the entrance when the man spoke up again.

“Girl ya look like you seen ah ghost. Are ya alright?” He then proceeded to hop over the counter with ease. His cowboy boots clacked on the floor as he landed. With that she realized there would be no outrunning this giant of a man, he would catch her with ease. Plus she was in heels. She just had to try and make a good first impression by wearing the stupid things. Her heart started beating so fast that she couldn’t take it anymore, and as her back pressed up against a wall, she felt her vision quickly fade and her body fall limp.

“Whoa hey!” The man said, rushing for her. The empty coffee cup clattered to the floor and rolled away, a dribble of brown liquid falling from the spout to hit the hardwood floor.