"What the hell, you creepy weirdo?!" I shouted, throwing my hands around. Suddenly, the grip on my waist and thigh was gone with the wind. I instantly turned back, but no man was near me or the house, almost like he had never been there.

It could be some unfunny prank since Halloween is a few weeks away. Maybe it's someone from the bar. Could it be Joseph? But after yesterday, he doesn't look like the type who doesn't fear danger.

I got back into my room, jumping into my comfortable bed covered in violet sheets and hugging my legs.

"I can't even fucking call the cops!!" I threw a tantrum.

Someone is clearly playing with me, and I'll make sure to find that prick.

I bore my face into my knees, humming a song that usually calms me down. My mother sang it to me when I was scared of a storm. She put a large blanket over us and quietly sang a calm melody into my ears.

"I miss you, mom."

• • •

"Vivienne!! Wake up, or you'll get fired. Don't be so lazy, would you?"

Grandma's voice? Why is she yelling at me so early in the morning?

I rubbed my sleepy eyes, meeting my grandmother's face up close. I flinched against the bed frame.

"God! What's happened?"

"Work, Vivienne, work."

Oh, right.

"Sorry, Grandma. I didn't sleep the best these past few days. I'll get ready immediately." I said.

She looked at me hesitantly. Probably because I had to urge myself to lay back. So I opened my comforter, grimacing at her. She sighed, shaking her head.

Thankfully, she left because otherwise she'd be late for work as well. I haven't had any time for myself or my hobbies. I've only been occupied with my work and that pervert who showed up yesterday. Could life get any worse?

Wait, scratch that. People always say that, and it truly gets worse.

I sprinted all the way to the bar, and as I thought, my boss was already behind the counter serving drinks. Why do people drink so early in the first place?

"Want to be fired, Vivienne?" He threatened in his lower tone.

"I apologize, boss. You know I never oversleep, and I'm always on time here." I whispered so other people wouldn't hear.

He rolled his eyes and didn't reply anything back because he knew I was right. I'm always right.

I immediately started working. More and more customers came as time progressed. I glanced a couple of times at the door in the hope of seeing the red-headed woman.

I don't even know how I will repay her since I have little money. Perhaps a glass of wine will be good enough?

"Three shots of vodka, please." A man with gray hair requested. He was living near me, but I didn't know him personally.

"William, did you hear the news?" Another man asked him as he came to him.

"No? What happened?" William wondered.

"Well, I don't know if it's one hundred percent true, but there's gossip going around that Joseph Smith suddenly died yesterday."

I sharply took a breath. Was I hearing that correctly? That Joseph who was healthy-looking yesterday?

"Oh Jesus, I cannot believe what's coming out of your mouth! May his soul rest peacefully if it's true." William said.

The two of them kept talking about Joseph, and it felt like time had frozen; everyone and everything moved slowly as a snail.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Right then, the front door opened, and the woman with crimson hair entered the room with a cigarette in her mouth. A perfectly fitted raven corset hugged her waist. A mini leather skirt in the deepest color of green showed off her curves. She looked like a goddess.

"Hello there, pretty girl. One glass of whiskey." She said, smiling at me.

As I poured the liquid, my hands started to tremble. Why did they, though? It's not like it was my fault that Joseph died. Right? Madeline couldn't possibly...

"Is it my drink?" She asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, yes. It is."

I placed the drink in front of her and took orders from new customers.

She kept her eyes on me through the night. I noticed she is quite sociable. She began some conversations with people by the pool table, and she even played with them. She looks like she loves to have fun and does not care about anything in the world. I wish I could be so careless like her. To be so free-looking with no problems clouding my mind.

She returned to the counter, smirking at me. "Enjoying your night?" She asked.

I chuckled. "Very much. My heart is overflowing with joy after working since the tenth until now. I don't feel my feet, and my back is killing me. Oh, and I didn't eat anything in the past few days, so I'm probably slowly dying, but other than those tiny inconveniences, I'm enjoying my night." I burst out with a smile on my face.

Her eyes were in wide shock, and her brows were raised. She then started to cackle, and that took me by surprise.

"Pardon me, but that was hilarious." She said.

"Is my misery funny to you?"

Her laugh disappeared, and a seriousness overtook her features. "If I'm seeing correctly, your shift ends in one hour." She checked her wristwatch.

"Yes, why?"

"I'll stay with you until you close the bar."

"Why?"

"Do you always ask so many questions?"

And with that, one hour passed, and she kept her promise by waiting for me. I gave a quick call to Grandma to tell her I'd be coming home later. I had no idea where we were going, but it was the richer part of our town.

We stopped before an old-looking apartment complex, which was made out of bricks. The woman opened the antique wooden door, and we went up the stairs into her apartment.

"Make yourself at home." She said, pointing to the dark red leather couch that was placed at the center of the living room.

I sat down, moving myself in my seat to find a comfortable spot. I never visited someone else's place. I was feeling a little uncomfortable, but I managed to stay cool.

The woman walked into the living room with a cup of tea, placing it steadily on the glass table in front of me.

"I thought you would be more pleased with tea than alcohol, am I right?" She asked, staring at me.

"Yeah, I mean, of course. I love tea." I agreed softly.

Then she sat down awfully close to me. Her hand rested behind me on the top of the couch. I tried to remain calm, as I didn't want to look weird.

I glanced at the tea, which was in the lightest shade of pink.

"We haven't had the chance to properly introduce ourselves. I'm Madeline." She greeted me with her hand extended out.

I gently captured her hand, looking into her hazel eyes. "I'm actually Vivi. I'm using a fake name at work."

She chuckled. "I understand why since yesterday."

I awkwardly smiled and reached for the cup of tea. I took a sip of it and was surprised by its flavor.

"Is that raspberry?" I wondered. I sniffed the aroma of steam.

"Yes, it is." She agreed.

Her hand, which was behind me, suddenly touched a few strands of my hair. I stayed still, not letting out any sound or action of discomfort.

A woman I barely know is caressing my hair.

I withdraw from her, furrowing my eyebrows. "Do you think I'll like you because you're acting nice to me?" I burst out, placing the cup of tea down.

"Act?"

"You heard me the first time." I crossed my arms.

"Forgive me, I just..." She looked suddenly so nervous around me. She shifted her gaze away from me, staring at the floor.

"I don't have many female friends, so I have no clue how to act around you. I thought we could be friends, perhaps?" She said softly.

"We can be friends, of course. I have no experience with female friendships either." I comforted. "But why did you invited me here?"

Where was that woman I saw in the bar? The brave woman who held a knife against a man's throat? The confident woman just vanished, and I have no idea where she is hiding. Being vulnerable around me? Is it real or just a charade?

"I invited you because I thought you needed someone to rely on. Have a rest. A change of place can help you if you have trouble sleeping." She explained when I became quiet.

"How do you know I have trouble sleeping? Is it so obvious?" I huffed.

"I cannot lie to you, Vivienne." She giggled. A hard smile was carved into my face.

I looked around the room and was pleasantly impressed by how well it had been designed. The walls were made of bricks, just like the apartment's façade. Numerous tall plants surrounded the area, with a warm-toned light bulb in the corner. The sofa and chairs were upholstered in a deep, rich red fabric that was quite comfy to sit on. A wide window overlooked the city, providing a stunning view of our small town.

"I moved here not long ago. This is my hometown. I was traveling constantly, and I grew tired of it. I got homesick." She leaned her cheek against her palm. "I had this urge to return home, and now, here I am."

We made eye contact, and I got lost in her round hazel eyes. For a second, I thought I had become hypnotized because I couldn't break the connection our eyes held. Her eyes then studied my face. Especially my lips, and that broke my trance. I got up from the couch. "Thank you for tonight, Madeline. I should head home now. It's too late. Grandma will worry." I said it plainly, looking anywhere but her eyes.

She was quiet for some seconds, sighing then. She also got up, offering to walk me home, but I refused. Since I was not used to being alone with someone, I needed some time by myself, and my thoughts.