Day 5 - (Sept. 12th, Monday)

Lynette

Sprawled across the bar counter overlooking our living room, I hugged my glass of orange juice close. The day after I got away from Alexander, he got me by using Drake as a decoy, and after that, I avoided him again by using Drake as a decoy, too. I told Drake I was going to lunch early, in earshot of Alexander. He thought I was back there and looked for me. While he was getting into the watch position at break room 1, I snuck by and went to lunch before he noticed.

I was proud, even though I knew that was it.

I can't keep doing this. With a dissatisfied huff, I pressed the cold glass to my lips and took a nice, long swig. This is insane, or am I insane? Is this all in my head?

I slammed the glass down, less than half full, and gently rested my head on the smooth, crumb-free countertop. What kind of maniac wants to eat someone? I never thought of asking him, Drake, or Sandra. I was afraid of the answer.

I haven't talked to Edgar yet, either. Sandra said he apparently had 'good news' to tell me. I have some words for him, too. Thinking that way was more of a joke—I had nothing prepared to say. It's fine. He's off today, and this first week wasn't...

My cheek remained pressed against the polished wood, staring deeply into my OJ like it held the answers. What even is Alexander? For the past few days, I figured he was some sort of giant. All he did was grow taller. For supposedly working with monsters, none of them really look like monsters, either. Drake had weird eyes like Edgar, but Sandra and Viola looked normal.

Wait… The thought broke through my mind's barricades. How could Alexander work after doing something like that? I pushed the glass to my forehead. The cold condensation was enough of a shock to snap me out of it. No, that's not what you should care about, Lynette. Regardless, I get paid if it happens; who cares about the other stuff.

Blocked by the glass, my eyes drifted down my hand and to my forearm. Is that it? Not that it's an excuse. I let go of my OJ, lifted my head, and brought my arm close to my face. This is so weird. In a quick bob forward and back, I licked my arm.

I don't taste like anything! "Why is-" Looking ahead through the opening to the kitchen stood my brother. Did he see me do that? He opened his mouth to say something, shut it, and flipped around to face the coffee machine next to the fridge.

My vocals left in a sharp squeak, "Wicks!"

"Morning," He said, refusing to look back.

"It- I was-"

"I didn't see anything."

"No, please, let me explain." I laid across the counter, wobbling forward on the barstool, and reached my pitiful arms out like I could grab him, "Wiiiiiicks."

"Yes, Lentils?" As the coffee poured, droning behind him, he faced me. Gentle and understanding despite what he saw.

This is the worst. How could I explain this? I can't tell him anything about my job. I softly knocked my head down and changed the subject. "D- Did you sleep well?"

…

I put my lunch away inside breakroom two, planning to eat it during our break. It seems breakroom one is where they hang out.

Nothing was different in breakroom two—they all had the same layout, round scattered tables, chairs, kitchen, and T.V. area.

Cautiously, I moved out of breakroom two and into breakroom one. Nearing the door that led into the hall, I peeked out and looked at the time clock closest to the hallway split and the doorway to the kitchen. I saw Alexander there, but not Drake. He's off today, too. A different guy was talking to Alexander. Who's that?

Whoever it is, he doesn't look happy talking to them.

I left the safety of the break room. Get around them and scan in, Lynette. I thought it like it'd be simple.

A few steps in, my sneak attempt failed. The male swiftly locked onto me like an auto-turret, preparing to gun me down.

Out of his throat left a smooth, silken thrum, a pitch far too perfect for normal speech. "Ooooh~?"

He approached me. He was almost as tall as Alexander, perhaps just a touch shorter. His features were sharp, and he was fit, but unlike Alexander, he was slender, and his skin tone was similar to Wicks, a warm limestone.

My feet itched to step back when I encountered his canary yellow irises. They felt calculating, dashing over me and giving him every detail. "Uh, hi?"

He tipped his head curiously like a cat. "You're a new hire, huh? Here because of Wendie?"

Who's Wendie?

"Shut up," Alexander's much deeper growl called from next to the time clock.

A sly smirk rode the male's lips—however, his attention never left me. "I'm Lev," he offered me his hand, "nice to meet you…?" He trailed off expectantly.

I lifted my hand, accepting his handshake. "My name is Lynette."

"Well," his voice hummed, "Lynette." He let my hand go. "I'll be working with you today after our break." He took his hat out of his back pocket. "And I can't wait to know more about you." He put his cap down on his dark, choppy-cut blue hair and moved to the time clock without waiting for my response.

"C-cool, see you later, Lev." He's VERY different.

Alexander swiftly moved in and scanned his nametag, too. He didn't say a word to me.

I'd rather it be quiet between us anyhow. I scanned in, went to the registers, and quickly got through the first two hours of the day.

…

During my break, I sat alone at a table near the kitchen in breakroom two, eating my peanut butter and banana sandwich. Lev seemed weirdly nice? Then again, Drake wasn't awful to me.

Crunching through a few peanuts, I pretended not to notice Alexander coming in—it was harder to ignore him the closer he got to my table.

It's not lunch. Why is he coming over here?

Alexander pulled out the chair across from me and plopped down.

Timidly, I asked, "Wha-Aaat's up?"

He remained quiet and looked at the couches on the opposite end of the breakroom.

I chewed in the uncomfortable silence. What's his deal? Two more minutes later, he spoke.

"Go with me to lunch today." He said it sharply like an order.

Why would I do that? I finished up my sandwich. "If you promise you won't do what you've been trying to do to me every lunch, sure."

Alexander panned over to me, "It's him or me. You've got no choice."

What makes you think you're the better choice? I'd choose myself, thank you. I squared my shoulders, puffed out my chest, acted like a breeze wouldn't knock me over, and bluffed. "You expect me not to have a plan?"

His eyebrow raised, momentarily believing me, then Alexander pushed up his frames, "You didn't even know he was going to be here today."

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"I thought around it."

Alexander leaned forward in his chair, a vexed smile cracked on his face, "you're full of it. There's no way you can hide from him, and certainly no way you're going to hide from my ass anymore." He pulled back with slight disgust, "Or do you want him to eat you?"

"I'd rather neither of you do that to me." His eyes glaring beyond his lenses were too formidable to stare back at. "How would you feel getting chased around and…" my tongue wrestled to keep the word back. It left quietly, "eaten."

He rolled his eyes, scoffed, and released an exaggerated exhale, "I know how it is."

"You do?" That's a lie. My body wouldn't let me accuse him. "Why would you do it to me if you know how it feels?!"

His gray hue narrowed, "Because I know the damned hunger too."

I aimed to sound as frightening as he did with his deep, actual, animalistic-sounding growls and harshness. In actuality, I probably sounded like a mouse, "I won't give up on this."

"Wonderful,~" Lev's sweet serenade chirped. When did he come in? My lack of self-awareness was astonishing. He swayed behind my chair, going to the fridge. "It wouldn't be fun if you gave up too easily."

Alexander sighed and took out his phone.

I didn't respond either. I got up when the bell rang for me to go back.

...

At the counter, there was a stark contrast between Alexander and Lev. Alexander wore a hardened expression, and though he had a small smile, he was so imposing that I could tell most customers wanted to get through their orders and leave.

Meanwhile, Lev was very fluid with his height. He leaned on the counters, gesturing in suave, expressive mannerisms to communicate to those who came up.

He'd heartily laugh with them as if he'd known them for years and slide compliments regarding whatever crafts or passions they spoke about. He received numbers that way, exchanging playful banter before they left.

Appalled, I still worked, as usual, with an upbeat grin and pep to my step. I wanted the customers to feel understood, heard, and appreciated as they left.

"Your cute, lively, short stature makes them feel comfortable," Lev said, eyeing me from the side without turning his head. "You've worked in customer service before, haven't you?"

"Yeah, I used to work at Bullseyes in the electronics department."

There was a barely noticeable smile, "Then you got invited here, surrounded by monsters, and you chose to stay?"

That sums it up. "I did." He didn't face me. Should I assume the worst from him as well? "I…I don't suppose asking nicely will change your mind about coming after me, will it?"

Smoother than a freshly waxed bowling aisle, his chuckle filled my eardrums. "Not at all." His head craned to capture me better. "I'm very interested in why you were special enough to get Wendie to invite you."

"Does he not do it often?"

He expelled a sneered breath, "Ha," and cast his eyes ahead, "From what I understand, he's never done it before. It's sweet to know he's following in my footsteps." He lifted a hand and raised it above my head, "just with a much more persistent human."

That card he gave me did look old. My shoulders rose. So he really picked me to mess with, then? I moved to the left so I wasn't under his hovering hand.

Lev's body angled over me, "What's the matter?"

I created more distance. "I don't get the reason you all do that."

Lev readjusted his posture and went over the counter on his side. He placed an elbow down and put his chin in his palm.

He peered ahead at the customer, walking to the door from outside. "Why do we eat humans? It differs from monster to monster; some don't, and some do. But in my case…" The curl at his lips pulled them back enough to reflect his changed teeth. Lev's previous normal whites were now serrated and blade-like. "I love seeing and feeling their helpless, fearful writhing to escape me." He stood up straighter—a sinister, undisturbed calmness exuded from his breath. "It really makes their lesser flavor much more," Lev's final word left in a barely audible whisper, "appetizing."

He wasn't even looking at me. His attention was on the customer. He greeted them as they made it to our counter like nothing happened. Back to his original flirtatiously artful state, as if he was reset.

Confusion drew my eyes to my register. He said that, right? The sudden flip of his switch made me question it.

Business picked up and soon distracted me. Viola wasn't here today, so Lev or I went out to clean tables, and sometimes Sandra would come out from the back. And today, a nurse, much like Sandra, named Tristan, would take our place here during lunch.

Throughout the rest of our time, Lev occasionally teetered toward me as if I had something that interested him. He's doing it to mess with me…this is awful.

Around the corner, Alexander said, "I'm going to lunch." Its abruptness made me jump. Thanks for the heads up, I guess.

"What's got you so jumpy?" Lev neared.

"D-don't act all innocent." I slightly stuttered, playing with the keys on the register.

He shrugged his shoulders, veining an innocent persona. "You asked, and I answered honestly ." He twisted on his heels to look at me. "Speaking of, since I answered one of your questions, do you mind answering one of mine?"

I don't want to. Lev looked far too happy. I moved my hand and twisted my hips to meet him. "What is it?"

In a quick motion, he bent closer, leaving me no time to react. "Do you prefer being eaten head or feet first?" My shoulders leaped up once more seeing him lick the corner of his lip.

I stumbled backward, barely catching myself. "None!" What kind of question is that? His laughter played along my spine like a pair of drumsticks to a xylophone. I'm feeding into him, aren't I? He likes fear. I need to go. "I-I'm going to lunch."

"Aw, so you want to be Wendie's meal?"

"I don't want to be anyone's, that word-" On my heels, I turned, not wanting to hear anymore. Customers were coming up anyway, so he was too preoccupied to ridicule me.

What am I going to do? Lev seems so creepy, and Alexander is just aggressive. I wilted when I reached the time clock. Is it too much to ask to be left alone? I'd like a plain lunch period, please.

The thoughts swished in my head, similar to a swill of mouthwash in the morning. What if Lev's kidding with me? He could be playing some kind of bad prank.

My gut feeling said he was serious.

Do I really have to pick the "lesser of two evils?" I pulled out my phone, checked the wallet on the back for coins, and, finding none, had my browser flip the coin for me instead. Heads Alexander, tails Lev.

And, of course, it ended up with Alexander.

…

Alexander

As far as he was concerned, his whole situation was troublesome. She made a fool of him twice now. What the hell would she even be planning? She couldn't get Lev to eat me. He's not Zilla.

The ridiculousness hurt his head. Lev brought countless humans, and unlike Lynette, they never lasted. Yet she did, and I'm stuck with her damn scent everywhere.

He was relieved he didn't work with her today. He figured he'd lose what little composure he had.

He's probably wrapping her around his finger. He groaned externally and bounced his leg up and down in his seat. It's not like he can give her more reason to be here.

He shifted his head back, staring at the 'untouchable' ceiling. He followed along the support beams. I shouldn't have fucking invited her. I should have eaten her that day and been done with it. Now I gotta suffer wallowing in-

He jolted and stared at the break room door as it slid open.

He was about to say something, but she held up her phone and moved closer to his table.

"I flipped a coin, okay!" Her fairly strained and panicked voice let out. "I couldn't think of a plan, and I'm freaked out by Lev right now-" She stopped in front of his table and looked in the other direction.

Is this really happening?

"I don't want either of you to do that to me. I think it's disgusting, gross, and I hate it." She gasped and whimpered, hanging her head and putting her palms with her phone down on the table. "So please, if you're going to do it, just…do it quickly."

Involuntarily, he started to salivate, a trained automatic response his body did when he was going to eat someone.

He got up from his chair, not responding to her, only exhaling like he did the first day. He dared not say a word; he couldn't take any conversation with what he ate, not anymore.

Like every time he felt the imbued spark of magic burst inside him. He manipulated and molded it with his energy to his will.

It demanded his body to grow, each intricate detail getting larger as he clenched both hands around her forearms to pin them down. Her legs twitched, and her body tried to struggle briefly before he brought her off the ground.

This feels so slow. He cursed.

Her own eyes shut, and he, as always, did the same. Not that it mattered much when he started, but he didn't like looking at them before he did it.

…

Devouring someone made him lethargic. It was the only time his body had any semblance of peace from the neverending bombardment of starvation—that's why he sat back on the sofa when he finished.

"I don't think I've ever seen your guard so low." Lev's tease strummed near Alexander while his head was draped over the couch's back.

Alexander opened one eye to look at Lev, bending over the back next to his head.

With a grunt, Alexander closed his eye, "Why keep it up? I can't get eaten after eating someone, and Zilla isn't here today. She comes back tomorrow, though, so good luck."

"Maybe she'd get Drake," Lev said.

"Don't throw him under the bus, asshole."

"He shouldn't be standing in the road."

Alexander shifted his legs. He would have snapped back if his stamina wasn't fleeting.

Fuck it. "Whatever." He couldn't think straight with her. She gave his body an abnormally large abundance of what it needed faster than any other human. He was like a computer overloaded with data.

"That was lackluster," Lev said, expressing his disappointment.

Alexander grumbled.

"Alright," Lev pushed up, "Have your fun for now because she'll be mine on Thursday."

…

Lynette

As usual, Sandra offered me a resignation form when I woke up, and I declined.

The drive home was musicless, and my body collapsed on the front door to the apartment.

Maybe…I should quit. The brim of my hat pushed on the door, slowly going up and falling from the ponytail I looped through it. My head knocked at the door. It's so much money. I heard a few people at the other end of the hall near the elevator. I knelt down and picked up my hat. I should go in.

I raised my key-holding hand and, at the same time, stared into the little pizza mascot's pacman-shaped black eyes.

I tucked my cap under my arm, put my key in the lock, and griped between pouted, defeated lips. "Happy Pizzeria, more like psycho monsteria."

...