《What I'd Do For A Livable Income》


 Chapter 1: The Happy Pizzeria

Day "0" - (Sept. 7th, Wednesday)


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 Chapter 2: Too Good Too Be True

    Day 1 - (Sept. 8th, Thursday)


    Lynette


    Between barely opened lids, I tiredly checked my text messages.


    Wicks: Hey, Lentils, I''ll be home later tonight to congratulate you on your new job! I love you, and be safe! 11:54 a.m.


    I sighed and let my phone slip from my hand. It plopped next to my pillow. That promotion really keeps him busy. I threw my covers over my head like Wicks would come barging into my room and throw them off any second.


    It sounded like he was in some kind of fight at work.


    I pulled my blanket down enough to peek up at my ceiling. The sun cracking through my curtains dimmed my glow-in-the-dark stars.


    I gigged to myself. Whoever Wicks was fighting with was so rude. They couldn''t wait for us to finish our call. I shimmed out of my weighted blanket and sat up. It felt like gravity dragged my humor and smile down.


    He doesn''t talk about his work, does he? We kept very little from each other. Or¡­ I''m sure there were things he never told me, but I told him everything from something dumb like eating a fry off the floor after it was there for a good ten seconds to all my fears.


    My hands anxiously in rhythm patted the blanket, and to soothe myself, I terribly mimicked his voice. "I-" I grabbed my mess of curls, held them up in a ponytail, and swayed it with authority like he did with his. "I work with people, Lentils. That''s all it is, hmph."


    I snickered and let my hair go, "what could he be doing that''s so secretive." It''s not like I hadn''t asked myself that before. I normally trusted him enough to let it go. "Every time I call him, it sounds like he''s in a construction yard or sound deprivation tank." I stretched my arms up high. What would he be so embarrassed about that he''d refuse to tell me¡­?


    My mind unfortunately came up with a terrible thought, one I didn''t want to imagine with anyone, ESPECIALLY not my brother.


    I squealed, scrunched my blanket up, and pressed it against my face, muffling any other sound that left it. HE''S NOT SELLING HIS BODY, RIGHT?! NO, STOP IT, MIND, PLEASE.


    I kicked my feet a few times under the covers, letting them go. I lifted my head and corrected my thoughts. "He''s smart and has so many other talents. There''s no way that''s it!"


    I shut my brain down and twisted in my bed until my feet hung over the edge. I tapped my toes on the soles of my fuzzy gray shark slippers. "I think I need some breakfast." I got off the bed, put them on, and stepped off my pup rug.


    I''ll text Wicks back later.


    ...


    I didn''t like quitting a job on short notice. I expected my boss to panic and ask me to hold off or if I could run both jobs, which I''d considered.


    To my surprise, neither of those happened. She accepted it, I signed some papers, and that was it.


    Since I missed that week, she had been at odds with me, and I finally realized how ready she was to continue without me.


    It removed some guilt from my shoulders but also hurt. It sounds so selfish. I know it''s retail¡ªpeople come and go, but I wished she at least acted like I was a little more important.


    I took a big and deep breath, turning into the Pizzeria. It doesn''t matter anymore.


    I skimmed over the parking lot, heading toward the back since the employee entrance would be there. If I heard Sandra correctly yesterday.


    I parked beside a sleek black car, whose shiny exterior suggested it was a recent model. Sophisticated and luxurious, it''s probably Edgars.


    Giving a quick glance at the other cars around mine, I noticed they all mirrored the same lavish aesthetic. In stark contrast, mine felt like a humble afterthought¡ªfunctional, yet plain and unremarkable.


    I blew out my next breath and picked at the fluff of the white case around my steering wheel. My eyes glid to the slightly stained fabric of my car seats, a patchwork of darkened spots from spilled drinks, and the worn, barely functioning aux cord. Its frayed edges were a testament to my frequent and abusive use. It sat clumsily with my phone in the cupholder, struggling to connect.


    If all goes well- I slapped my hand, it will go well. I''m going to ensure every customer and coworker leaves this place with a smile. I looked at myself in the rearview mirror and pointed. "You''re getting employee of the month!" My finger dropped, "if they have that."


    Then I can retire and make funtube videos of animated DnD sessions, or people can watch how dumb I am at playing video games.


    I hunched over and rested my chin on the steering wheel. Wicks offered to support me if I did that.


    I couldn''t take his money. It was a pipe dream, and I wasn''t as funny or entertaining enough to support myself doing it.


    My phone stirred and buzzed, jolting me out of thought. I took it out of the cupholder and saw it was my alarm. My shift started in ten minutes.


    I threw open my punch bug''s door and got out. I stood beside it and checked my uniform. Badge, check. I patted my black jeans with their extra big pockets. Phone and wallet, check. I looked over my shirt orientation and the little pizza Pete on the breast pocket. I''m wearing my shirt correctly, check. I tapped my head, missing my hat. I quickly snagged it from the passenger side, put it on, and closed the door. That''s everything.


    I faced the restaurant, and my metaphorical backpack of enthusiasm got heavier. I could feel apprehension packing a few more unwanted stones.


    Regardless, I trudged on to the giant restaurant. I stepped up the ramp to the double glass doors. From what I could tell, they worked as a one-way mirror.


    I inspected the doorframe for the scanner that Sandra mentioned and found it pretty quick. I got on my tippy toes and pressed my name badge to it. It beeped, and the door unlocked.


    "Sweet."


    I pulled the door open, and the smell of pizza crashed against my face. Yep, going home with that fresh pizza smell today.


    The door softly shut behind me, and my pep slowed. It''s long. I stared down the stretch of hallway. They look so obnoxiously tall and wide today.


    As I continued down the spacious hallway, my hand brushed the textured gray wooden panels along the walls, each meticulously polished and clean. A lot of effort¡ªand expense¡ªmust have gone into this.


    The sudden shift to glass confused me. I tilted my head back, creating a distance between the window and me because of its sheer height. The door looked to be at least three times my height. Why is this so big?


    I read the sign above it after taking a few more steps back. It said, ''Breakroom 3''. Break room 3? It didn''t sound like he had many employees, nor any working on stilts to merit a window this size. I flipped around and saw an exact replica of the window and sign, except above that one said, ''Breakroom 4''.


    I walked back to the glass to look inside and jumped when it suddenly slid open. It''s not a window! I didn''t notice any sensors. Is it picking up the badge? It closed when I moved away. I moved in a second time, and it opened. That''s neat if you have your hands full and... I flipped back to face the end of the hall. Worry about this later. Get to the time clock and scan in!


    I hurried the rest of the way, passing two more breakrooms, ''1'' and ''2''.


    I slowed as I approached the time clock in between two people. One was the towering blonde with glasses who invited me, and the other, who had his back to me, I hadn''t seen before.


    Getting closer, I heard them talking about a popular game called Olden Ring.


    I raised a hand and slightly waved. "Hi!" Alexander flinched like my pitch hurt him. Was I too excited? I tried to speak calmer, "I couldn''t help but hear you guys Olden Ring? I haven''t got a chance to play it yet."


    Alexander focused on the wall beside him and didn''t acknowledge me.


    The dark-haired guy, shorter and less physically opposing than Alexander, turned his head toward me. His complexion was a vaguely similar pale color to Edgar''s.


    It was hard to tell what color his eyes were due to his thick bangs covering them. Are they like Edgar''s too?


    "We haven''t played it either. We were talking about playing it this weekend." He fiddled with his cap, adjusting it on his head. "You must be Lynette¡­" The friendly smirk he wore the entire time dropped. "Huh."


    Is there something on my face? I held my smile. "Is something wrong?"


    He glanced at the quiet Alexander and back to me, "No, not at all. Sorry, uh-." He anxiously laughed, "s-surprised is all." He jabbed at Alexander''s side.


    The blonde shifted his head and gaze. He stared down at me¡ªdark circles that weren''t there prior were now present under his glasses. What happened to him? He lifted his hand up and ran it through his disheveled short hair.


    "Did you not sleep well?" I hesitantly asked, shifting my stance. I hope that doesn''t come off as rude.


    His deep, euphonic voice held little to no volume, "Yesterday was my birthday, so I was up, auwh," he yawned mid-sentence. "-night."


    His voice sounds even deeper¡ªit''s almost hard to understand. "Well, happy late birthday!" I grinned and quietly cheered.


    He nodded and didn''t say another word. Yet, his eyes stayed on me like he wanted something else.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    His friend''s voice pulled me from Alexander''s intense stare, "I''m Drake, by the way; nice to finally meet you, Lynette."


    "Oh!" I looked at Drake, "it''s nice to meet you too." After we exchanged that, it got quiet.


    My eyes looked for anything else to say or do because I felt bad enough that I awkwardly broke their conversation. There was nothing around us, the break rooms behind me, the fork in the hallway leading to the Infirmary and such, or a straight path through the kitchen out to the registers.


    Luckily, I drifted to my scapegoat, the time clock. "I should scan in," I said and slipped between them. I lifted my nametag to the clock; you guys should, too, if you start at the same time."


    Drake and Alexander did.


    I strode ahead to give them space and entered the kitchen first. I had to go through it to make it to the cashiering counter.


    I skimmed over the kitchen yesterday, taking it in less than I thought I should.


    My eyes were first drawn toward the polished stainless steel countertops. They looked unused. Then, to the state-of-the-art appliances, including a massive wood-fired pizza oven. Those make the best pizzas!


    Not far away from the oven were elegantly stored clear glass containers of fresh basil, ripe tomatoes, and other seemingly premium ingredients.


    At the center were high-quality knives, rolling pins, and artisanal tools hanging neatly on magnetic strips, easily accessible and meticulously organized. This place is probably so expensive.


    My glimpses were over when I reached the next threshold leading to the counter.


    Faintly, I scarcely heard Drake say, "Good luck, Lynette!"


    I went to peek my head back and thank him. I missed my chance as I almost smacked my face into Alexander''s chest.


    I returned to my chosen register, closest to the pizza harboring machine, and got ready to learn.


    I expected it to be fast-paced and demanding, filled with customers spewing orders. After all, we were across the street from the mall, and the giant sign was welcoming.


    Instead, everything felt easy. The customers were relatively calm. The few rowdy ones Alexander handled. He taught me how to greet customers, "Welcome to the happy pizzeria," special order type-ins, and what to check over or clean when business was slow.


    This feels way too easy. It must be harder on the weekends.


    I would have asked Alexander more about it if he hadn''t acted so bothered by me. He refused to get close during his explanations, and if I moved in closer to listen to him better, he''d shuffle over.


    I don''t smell, do I? I showered in the morning and washed my uniform the night before. Or does he think I''m being weird?


    I decided to let it go, and at the two-hour mark, it was our first break.


    "You go on ahead. I''ll handle the customers while you''re gone." Alexander said.


    "Thanks," I replied, going through the kitchen and seeing Drake and Sandra working on pizzas. I gave a small wave before heading to the first breakroom. Next to the door, I saw a note,


    Remember to scan your badge for breaks and lunch! -Edgar


    On the left side, another time clock was next to the door to break room one. It was slimmer and looked a bit newer.


    I scanned my badge and went into breakroom one.


    As I entered the room, my eyes were drawn upward, captivated by the height of the ceiling. It must have reached sixty feet or more. What was this place before? A warehouse? Do they make warehouses with ceilings this high?


    Besides that, the room had several very widely spaced, round tables, each accompanied by plush, inviting chairs designed with employee comfort in mind. This is my first time seeing a place this nice for the employees. In the far right corner were a pair of oversized couches, an armchair, a massive plasma T.V. hanging on the wall, and in the back left corner, a fully equipped kitchen with a stainless-steel fridge, sturdy wooden cabinets, and a gleaming stove. This is so extravagant for such a small staff!


    I took a minute to traverse the large area and sit on the black leather armchair near the T.V.


    As I settled in, I flicked to the couches, unnaturally big, almost as if it had been crafted for a giant.


    From what I''d seen, Alexander was the most imposing figure they had at the pizzeria. His physique was considerably more robust than most people''s, with broad shoulders and well-defined muscles. I imagine he''s dedicated to keeping himself in that shape. Yet, the couches looked like they''d make even him look dwarfed if he sat on them.


    I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone, about to look up the couch''s model to see its purpose. It didn''t look like any futon I had ever seen.


    Wicks called me an hour ago! I quickly did my pattern password and called him back.


    It rang once. "Hey-"


    Wicks voice interjected apologetically, "Lentils! I''m sorry. I forgot your new job is a second shift like mine." He spoke fast, "I wanted to tell you I got home safe and to ask what cake you wanted in case you decided on something different than your usual."


    I relaxed into the leather and fought the urge to put my feet up next to me. "You didn''t have to buy me a cake."


    "Yeah, I do. You were pumped for the job, and I''m pumped knowing you''re pumped."


    I softly chuckled, "Money-wise, it''ll be great! I''m just cashiering and training under the guy that invited me." I let my head plop on the side, "I don''t think he likes me very much."


    From the other end, Wicks scoffed purposefully into the mic, "Who doesn''t like you, Lentils. You''ve got the same charisma level of a puppy."


    "You''re underestimating those puppies." I joked, riling him up further. He sounded like he was about to make a chart explaining why I was at puppy level.


    "Wicks, hey, for one, thank you. Two-" I sighed, "I don''t want to mess this opportunity up. I''m worried that if he doesn''t like me, I might lose this job for whatever reason." This seems like it''d be a community of tight-knit friends, right? No, that doesn''t add up. Why would he get a stranger if that was the case? I barely moved here two months ago. He couldn''t possibly know me or anything.


    I heard some movement from Wicks''s end. It made me smile lightly as I also changed my position on the chair. Charletta did say we imitate each other when we talk on the phone.


    "Lentils, you''re one of the most determined and hardworking people I know. You won''t lose your job over it, and if you do, I''m going over there to talk to them, alright?" He said with positive conviction, "Now throw those stupid thoughts away and, instead, think about how good the cake''s gonna be tonight."


    My lips pouted.


    Out of stubbornness, I attempted to hold my doubt, though it was impossible to retaliate against Wicks.


    I conceded, "You''re the best."


    We chatted animatedly, lost in conversation, when, suddenly, a soft ding echoed through the room. It brought my attention toward the door. Above the entrance was my name in bold white letters on an illuminated blackboard with a timer that tracked my break time. I need to get going.


    I said goodbye, hung up, left my seat, and headed out. On my way, I noticed a sign by the door saying something about lunch. I had to return to the registers, so I didn''t read it.


    It''s probably the rules for the lunchroom or something. I reminded myself to look at it later.


    I raced to the counter and smiled, seeing Alexander, "Your turn, buddy."


    His faint bluish, gray tint met my green hue. He acknowledged me with a nod and moved past me without a word.


    He''s probably just tired. I have plenty of time to make friends with him and everyone else.


    While I got situated, my eyes wandered to another wearing our uniform. A woman who ran around cleaning up the tables and floors. She was the janitor, occasionally taking over our cashiering positions when we were on lunch or breaks.


    She looks fit like Alexander. I glanced down at myself. I wasn''t chubby or too scrawny, just weak. How much Wicks loved to mock me for it.


    I managed most of the customers for the rest of the time. Alexander listened to my conversations, cleaned the station we worked at, and went back and forth to retrieve the pizzas.


    During that time, I failed to start a conversation with him. He really doesn''t want to talk to me. He''d either nod yes or shake his head no. And unless it was work-related, he ignored anything that required a longer answer.


    Does he not want to scare me off on my first day?


    At nearly two hours of silence, Alexander spoke, "I''m going to get Viola to take over the registers while we go to lunch. I''ll meet you back there."


    I watched him go around and to the woman who was mopping the front.


    I left the counter, scanned out for lunch, and went to the first break room.


    Where should we sit? I scanned over the seats; there were four at each round table. There are so many tables to choose from and...wait! I exhaled in frustration. I didn''t even pack a lunch today.


    The cake Wicks offered sounded better by the second.


    Behind me, the door slid open, and I heard whoever entered copy my previous exhalation.


    Turning on my heels to face him, I saw it was Alexander. I wasn''t that much of a pain today, was I?


    He walked toward me.


    I pointed my thumb back and over my shoulder at the well-spaced tables. "Which table did you want to sit at?" Should I have assumed we''d sit together? He might want to relax alone.


    Alexander stopped in front of me and shut his eyes.


    I repeated the question, quieter. Did he not hear me?


    By the sounds of his tone, he groused, and I couldn''t make out what he said.


    I put my hands up to appease. "Or we don''t have to sit-"


    Without warning, he grabbed my right arm and caused me to squeak. He hunched closer and lifted it to his face.


    The only thing that left me was a wheeze as I watched Alexander open his mouth and somehow engulf my hand entirely.


    I froze, caught in disbelief.


    I was too stunned, staring up at his closed eyes, to react, speak, or move, and all I felt was my palm against his tongue and fingers at his throat. This-this isn''t real.


    He snapped me out of it when he grabbed my other arm and did the same.


    He grew in size, getting larger, defying every bit of logic I knew, and soon dropped to his knees to get me properly. He had up to my elbows inside his jaw, excess saliva slipping down them and onto the floor.


    My shoes frantically squeaked and slipped against the linoleum floor. No matter how "varnished" they seemed in him, I couldn''t yank myself back.


    His right hand shifted up from the floor that he pressed them against when he fell to his knees. He wrapped it around my back, forcing me closer to his face.


    Please scream. My vocals were too strangled by my rapid breaths to do so.


    Being near him, his throat growled with a thick, hard swallow. It brought the rest of my arms inside and my face to his partially cracked-open lips. It was like staring into a chasm devoid of light.


    My voice barely whimpered, "Don''t do this..." When there was no way he heard me, or if he did, I doubted he''d have a sudden change of heart.


    His wet lips opened wider, softly crackling with saliva, and showering me in its warm heat. I squeezed my eyes tight seeing his tongue come at me. It collided with my face and rested on it. Whatever liquid was in his mouth wasn''t like ours, it was thicker like a slugs slime.


    He shortly consumed my head and kept it inside him, so my cries were drowned in a viscous pool.


    His tongue slathered and rocked against my face, allowing me short gasps when I turned it.


    I thrashed briefly and went limp the moment I felt his teeth press on my collarbone and spine.


    I awaited the bite to end me, panicking once more when my weight shifted. I wasn''t on the ground anymore. My body was in the air, held up by his hands.


    I slipped further into his expanding gullet hopelessly.


    Soon, I couldn''t move. Alexander''s throat and esophagus prevented me from pivoting my upper body trapped in it.


    His muscles tugged and pulled me deeper. He didn''t gag nor struggle¡ªevery harsh gulp he took was effortless and efficient, clearly used to this.


    I strained to do something, and my hands and arms soon reached an "open" space, followed by my head. I gasped out like I held my breath the whole time.


    My hands ahead of me met the bottom of the "pocket".


    Outside, I felt him take off my shoes and socks and swallow the last bit of my feet.


    The rest of me fell fast. It forced my disoriented body into the space, forcing it to accommodate me. And I was thrust upright, or what I believed was upright. It was difficult to tell in the darkness.


    All I knew were two things: I didn''t have the sensation of being upside down, and I was trapped.


    My back was on one side of the squelching humid flesh, and my legs were nestled to my chest by the other. How am I alive?


    I didn''t understand what was going on. I couldn''t see anything, only feel the layers of goo and hear a distant, excited thumping of what I presumed was his heart. This has to be a bad dream. My surroundings groaned loudly like it was protesting my thoughts. This isn''t possible.


    I put up my trembling hands and pressed around. I pulled them back when the folds nearly engulfed them.


    This is REAL.


    I desperately pushed out my arms and feet, wanting to escape.


    I couldn''t hold onto the position for long; his insides were too strong, as if I were fighting against a hot, malleable steel wall.


    This is why the position was empty! That''s why Edgar said if I stayed the year.


    I wanted to yell, knowing there was no point in begging or reasoning with Alexander. If he did this, he wouldn''t listen.


    I squirmed about, hoping to upset his stomach and make him spit me out.


    All I did was make myself heavier, getting more of the lining on me.


    I''m not going to die like this.


    The more I futilely tried, the more his disgusting, bumpy folds shoved me back. They''re mocking me. I clamored out in frustration, punching with the last bit of strength my shaky hands could muster. I had no traction nor space for it to be sufficient.


    I felt weaker and was a little too late, realizing I could call for help on my phone. My arms wouldn''t move.


    Being involuntarily still, I noticed I didn''t feel any pain, and my surroundings lacked any discernible smell. Why am I so tired? Am I suffocating?


    My head slumped over, and my eyelids were falling. Don''t fall asleep.


    I refused to cry¡ªI didn''t want him to have that satisfaction.


    I wouldn''t last a year, not even six months... My consciousness dwindled and reminded me of every regret.


    I barely lasted a day.


    ...

 Chapter 3: Resignation?

    Day 1 - (Sept. 8th, Thursday)


    Lynette


    Whatever I was on didn''t feel familiar.


    On my back, I opened my eyes, staring at the extraordinarily high, bare white ceiling. Where am I?


    I shifted my hands over the sheets, got a hold, and brought myself up.


    The bed I was on wasn''t the only one in the room¡ªthere were several of various sizes, all with white sheets. This looks like the infirmary. Why am I here?


    In alarm, my eyes widened, and I wildly patted myself down. I''m not wet. I pinched at my clothes nervously. Why did I have such a disgustingly vivid dream?


    I had never thought of anything like that before. I couldn''t even watch many horror movies without hiding under a blanket or jumping at every sound.


    Did I hit my head? Is that why I''m here? Everything up until that was so real.


    I held it instinctively. When could it have happened?!


    I shifted in the bed and pulled my phone out from my back pocket. All my cards and money were secured in my wallet on the back of my phone case.


    I flipped to the phone screen and clicked the power button.


    How?! Lunch was at 6:00! Why is it already 10:48?!


    I straightened up as the door opened. I heard the door click from across the way and saw Sandra. She held a few papers and nodded calmly when she saw me.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Miss Wayland?¡± Her voice came off robotic.


    I slipped my phone back into my pocket. I don''t know. "I think I''m okay, I don''t feel off."


    ¡°I¡¯m glad. I want to ensure you feel well before you sign your resignation form.¡± What? Her smile read sincerity. She grabbed her rolling chair and pushed it toward me to sit in front of my bed. "And rest assured your memory of the events will be altered once you do."


    I took the papers she handed me and failed to understand what she meant. Memory altered? Maybe I misheard her.


    I disregarded it and focused on the forms I was holding. They were a resignation form and a bulky contract. "Why would I resign?"


    Her eyes darted up and to the side in thought, "You don''t want to resign after what happened?"


    I pushed aside the bizarre, terrible dream and attempted to construct a logical conclusion. What happened? "Did I hurt someone?"


    She bobbed her head, "That explains why you weren''t as hysterical as most people are." Sandra folded her hands onto her black skirt and calmly spoke, " ¡°I assume you¡¯re under the pretext that Alexander eating you didn¡¯t happen."


    I smiled slightly, waiting for the joke. I sleepwalk when I¡¯m in unfamiliar places. Maybe this time I muttered about that horrible dream instead.


    She waited for my answer, unphased and without a hint of humor.


    I searched her for a twitch of her eye, a curl at her lips, anything that indicated she was kidding. There was none.


    She waited for my answer, unphased and without a hint of humor.


    My half-cocked grin fled, "That''s not physically possible." I poked at my clothes and then at my skin, "I''d be dead, and-ahhhh," I squeezed at my uniform''s shirt. Don''t think about it, don''t think about it! I blocked out my knowledge of the human digestive system. She¡¯s joking.


    "We would not allow someone whose body would harm or kill you to eat you, Miss Wayland. Monsters here have preventative seals for that and..."


    "M-Monsters?!" What is she talking about?


    Sandra nodded. "I prepared a copy of your contract under that resignation. If you read through it, you''ll see what I mean."


    I adjusted myself on the bed, sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce. I laid the employee contract on top of the resignation form.


    Hysteria bubbled inside me. This looks like the same document I signed yesterday. "Sandra, you''re joking." I flipped through it. She leaned in and directed me to a section hidden amongst the standard clauses, "fair meal clause (employee-to-employee)." She couldn''t...who would write all this for a joke.


    "I''m not kidding with you, Miss Wayland."


    FAIR MEAL CLAUSE (Employee to Employee):


    49. Employees may consume one another only during their specified lunch period...


    I pried my eyes on it and denied it. "I''m not wet. If that were true, I wouldn''t be this dry; I also don''t-" I lifted the front of my shirt to smell it. "I don''t smell like anything either."


    Sandra sat back in her chair, not enough to fully recline. "We wouldn''t leave you covered in saliva or anything, Miss Wayland. We make sure our employees aren¡¯t hurt and cleared off before going home."


    What would they gain if that happened? This doesn''t make any sense.


    I lifted the contract to stare longingly at the resignation form. "You''re saying monsters and magic exist?" I glanced up at her, skepticism coating every word, "nothing about this place seems magical to me." Aside from her saying it happened, I couldn''t play along. Why eat something and not...use it.


    Sandra exhaled sharply and stood up from her chair. The soft creak of the wood echoed in the quiet room. She got to her desk, strewn with various papers and colorful sticky notes, and settled on a large, foisting book near the edge.


    Holding the book out, she returned, "Grab this and tell me what you feel."


    It was heavy, a hardcover with several hundreds of pages. Nothing inside it felt off¡ªbesides the words being in another language. A few humanoid animal diagrams, too¡ªthey weirded me out. "Uh...I feel like it''s a book?"


    "Now, do you mind handing it back?"


    I gave it to her. She took the odd hardcover anatomy book, put both hands on either side of the over seven-hundred-page spine, and, with minimal effort, tore it in half.


    Wow.


    Her force crushed the cover, and scraps of the pages fell to the floor. How did she do even that? She handed me what was left intact.


    I held the halves, staring blankly at her. Is this a threat?


    "Does it feel the same?"


    "It-" It took me a second to nod. I put it to my face to show I was ''feeling it'' as my hands were full. "yes. The only difference is that it''s torn in half."


    "Excellent."


    I prepared to give them to her again and receded. Her eyes keenly focused on the halves¡ªso much so that their green got brighter, lightening at the center and glowing outward. They were like a neon sign, and the book in my hands rumbled like it was alive.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    I immediately dropped it. It clattered to the ground, and in a whirlwind, the pages, pieces, and cover mended back together. They formed their original undamaged copy once more as if she had never split it.


    I glanced back at Sandra, whose hue had decreased their glow. "Pick it up," she told me.


    I hesitantly slipped from the side of my bed and slowly reached down. I followed Sandra as I did. That''s...that''s not something people can do. I tentatively tapped the book with my fingers, and when it didn''t move, I slipped to the spine to pick it up.


    I knocked on its cover, confirming it was back together. "H-how did you do that?"


    "Magic. I''m a magus. One of the only types of monsters that can''t break a human case or get any bigger to demonstrate magic that easy to you."


    She couldn''t have swapped the books. "E-even so, how am I fine."


    Sandra put her hand out for her property, "We have a few rules in place for lunch here. The main one being, if they don''t physically harm someone, anyone can eat one another at lunch." She went back to her desk after I handed it off. "And as I mentioned, there are preventative measures that keep you from being hurt."


    That gives me even more questions.


    Her continuation distracted me. "However, if you''d like to resign, it''ll be removed from your memory and replaced with a normal work day."


    I touched my right temple. "I''ll forget everything?" I don''t want that.


    "You''ll get today''s pay before you leave, but yes."


    I inched back on the bed, sitting in the middle of the mattress, no longer at the edge. "What else will you do to me when I resign?"


    Sandra''s eyelids sagged, weighted with seriousness, "only that," Sandra''s tone was sharp, insulted that I''d suggest they''d do anything else to me.


    Seeing my expression, she composed herself and cleared her throat. "The only other thing I could have done, as the contract you signed states, is automatically fire you and alter your memory for talking to another human, who isn''t unaware of monsters and magic, about such outside of work."


    So I can''t tell anyone?


    My lip quivered, and I gripped the handful of sheets. "Do other humans work here, too?" It''s a big sum of money.


    "We haven''t had one last more than a day; getting eaten by their coworkers isn''t something most humans can handle," Sandra admitted.


    I picked at the form, rubbing my pointer finger and thumb along it. I want to remember everything. If magic and monsters are real, I can''t undo this. "Can I-I avoid them?"


    "Anything is permitted as long as you don''t bring weapons or plan to kill another coworker."


    Why am I even asking this? I looked at the book she rested on her desk. None of this feels real. It''s like I''m stuck in a dream.


    "Was Edgar''s promise a lie?"


    "No. If you read over the current copy of your contract, you''ll see that much." She gestured to the copy. "He offered you an absurd amount of money. He''s never offered a human that before, so you''ve made quite the impression on him." She moved her nails across her desk lightly and got a pen.


    He promised four million five hundred thousand dollars if I make it a year. I''d live comfortably like that. "Is there anything else I should know¡­if I stayed?"


    Sandra bumped into her chair and held the back of it, "you want to stay?"


    "Not exactly."


    She rolled the chair out of the way and offered me the pen.


    I stared at it.


    If she''s being honest, that means...The confined, wet space played in my head. My chest hiccuped in heaves, imagining it. Why would someone do that? Why would he even do that? I don''t believe that. Magic or not. What''s the point? For fun? I was too afraid to ask.


    "I want the money," I answered, taking the pen. I can''t leave this offer behind, right?


    Sandra moved her brown wavy locks behind her ear. "You asked if there is anything else you should know if you decided to stay." She pointed to the contract copy. "Employees can only go after one another at lunch; any other times are prohibited." She twirled her finger in the air. "Magic with intent to harm can''t be used against each other, and most magic, if used on you, has to have your approval first."


    She shifted around the chair, plopped down, and fixed her posture.


    I pressed the pen to the resignation form. A promise of a comfortable life as long as I deal with whatever might happen or forget everything and take what I have? Restart. I did the math in my head. I''d get approximately $800 for working today without tax.


    Am I really considering this? Can I do something like this? I don''t want to go through that again. Why is that even a rule here?


    "Miss Wayland, you can take all the time you need," Sandra said, folding one leg over the other.


    How many times have you done this? She sounded like an actor on a stage doing the same repeated play.


    I took a few drawn-out breaths. This would be a life-altering decision.


    I should think this through. I put the pen down beside my thigh with the resignation form. I opened the contract and started to read through it carefully.


    "I''ll be grateful if you can help me understand this as I read."


    ...


    Later near midnight


    I unlocked the front door to the apartment I shared with Wicks. From down the hall, I watched him leap up from the black leather couch. He nearly tripped over himself as he ran.


    "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME FIRST!!" He yelled, his voice fluttered with excitement and mild annoyance. His arms whisked me up and twirled me as he brought me inside.


    Lately, I didn''t know what I''d done to deserve his enthusiastic reaction to seeing me.


    "Wicks!" I playfully shouted out in dizziness.


    He slowed down and dropped me. I planted my feet on the ground and exhaled, "You know I get dizzy easily." I made a deliberate effort to focus on a single Wicks, ignoring the three that my vision presented.


    He smiled and adjusted his short ponytail, which threatened to come undone. "Great, if you''re feeling dizzy, it gives me time to grab your cake." He turned back, hurried over, and entered the kitchen across from our laundry room.


    "Cake?" I forgot he mentioned buying me one to celebrate my new job. "Wicks, you don''t have to go all out over every job I get."


    I shut the door behind me, removed my shoes, and put my keys on the crab claw hook near the door.


    I passed the kitchen and went to the right when I entered the living room. I slid onto the middle barstool and looked into the kitchen through the window.


    He retrieved the cake from the fridge and spun around to face me. He triumphantly held it in its little white box.


    I smiled back and jumped to catch it when he slid the cake across the counter to me. "Hey!" I caught it.


    "You got it, it''s fine." He lightly stuck out his tongue and pointed to the lid, "You should look at what I did for it."


    I set my hat down and undid my ponytail. The furl of orange curls burst out and overtook my face. I blew them out of the way, fending them off with one hand while opening the lid with the other.


    My smile wiggled, trying to hold back my laughter.


    Wicks added a poorly drawn pizza slice to a chocolate-frosted cake and smudged out ''birthday,'' replacing it with the word ''Job.''


    Happy Job.


    He waited patiently for my response, a goofy grin on his face.


    I snorted and chuckled, "You''re such a dork; I love it."


    He rolled up his hoodie sleeves and rested his elbows on the counter across from me, "it took me so long to get that pizza on it."


    I didn''t want to tell him it was probably the best drawing I had ever seen from him. He had many talents, but drawing wasn''t one of them.


    "It''s amazing." I stared inadmissibility. I had to surprise him back at some point. Given how much he works, he deserves it.


    "Do you want to get me a knife, or are we eating this bad boy with our hands?" I jokingly did a scooping motion.


    "I''m not falling for it, Lentils." Wicks turned around and walked toward the fridge, "The last time I agreed to that, you sent the picture of me doing that to Mom, and she wouldn''t let me eat anything without supervision for a week," Wicks grumbled and opened the drawer beside the fridge to get the tool.


    I deviously smiled, "It was funny! And don''t forget I also sent Madre a picture of me with cake hands too!"


    He handed me the cake spatula, "Yeah, and she thought I convinced you to do it to get in less trouble."


    I sliced into the cake as he grabbed plates. He slid them to me. I served him a quarter of the cake.


    His hazel eyes stared at it mildly disgustedly, "That''s your plate." Wicks couldn''t handle much sweets, unlike me.


    "This is mine," I gestured to the rest.


    "Heh," he quickly pushed the plate back my way. I moved to catch it, and he grabbed the box and tugged it to him. "You are not eating it all in one sitting again."


    I held the quarter slice and looked up at him with a whimper, "Wicks-"


    He aggressively pointed at the plate. "You''re eating that slice while I cook dinner tonight. Then we''ll go watch El Serpentino de-," he stopped. His smile twitched, and he immediately put his hands to his face. "No, sorry, I meant whatever you want to watch!"


    "What''s El Serpentino?"


    "Nothing!!"


    I leaned back, holding the counter''s edge with one hand, and pulled out my phone with the other.


    Wicks nearly threw himself over the counter to stop me, barely avoiding my cake slice.


    "Don''t, it''s nothing. I meant Super Rangers, let''s watch that, whoooooo!!" He hoped I''d stop.


    "Okaaaay," I said. I put my phone on the counter between him and me to show him I wouldn''t. I''m being cruel.


    I already knew that he secretly watched Telenovelas when I wasn''t around. Madre told me that she and Wicks would gush about them. I pretended I didn''t know for his sake.


    You always get so embarrassed by the dumbest things. I exhaled.


    He had been like that for as long as I knew him, yet there was an unmistakable raging blaze hidden behind his passiveness, one I rarely saw.


    The rest of the night went as expected. He made me smile, as he always did, even on my worst days. We stayed up until about 2 a.m. and soon got ready for bed.


    I went to my room, showered, put on my shark pajama shorts and shirt, and settled under the covers. Minus the weighted blanket tonight.


    For the next hour, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. How could I?


    Above my bed, my eyes traced the poorly done glow star constellations. In addition to my sign, the Gemini, besides it, was Wicks''s, the Scorpio, Scales for Charletta, and Ursa Minor because it looked like a cute little pot.


    I stared at them for another twenty minutes.


    I''m not going to be able to sleep, am I?


    I got up and went to my desk near my window in the far corner of the room. I grabbed my laptop and its small table. I took them and gently slipped back under the warm covers. I remained sitting and turned on my laptop.


    The light temporarily blinded me.


    I didn''t resign yet. I couldn''t forget this, so I''ll be writing this all down.


    It''s hard to remember everything I asked Sandra. I could barely think after hearing, seeing, and knowing what she told me might have validity.


    That''s why if I choose to quit one day, I''ll record as much as possible in this journal.


    ...

 Chapter 4: Clever

    Day 2 - (Sept. 9th, Friday)


    Alexander


    "Are you sad that the best human you''ve ever had isn''t coming back?"


    Alexander flicked his gaze in his best friend''s direction. His throat thrummed with a low, annoyed growl as he saw Drake''s mocking smirk.


    "Thanks for reminding me," he shifted his feet, his back pressed along the wall, and tightened his crossed arms. "Asshole." It was a mistake and a one-time thing.


    Drake''s head tilted back, tapping against the wooden pattern along the wall beside Alexander, and snickered. He relished in his tease. "You''re the one who said that yesterday, not me."


    Alexander pinched at the bridge of his nose, bumping his glasses higher. Yeah, and I was a dumbass saying it in front of you.


    He couldn''t deny it, so he attempted to deflect it. "You''re a human eater, too¡ªdon''t act like you didn''t get that urge."


    He didn''t understand why he felt like that. Ever since Alexander had been like this, he had never met a human as potent in energy as her.


    There has to be something wrong with her.


    His sense of smell was so keen with them that he usually picked up on human abnormalities or oddities. I couldn''t find anything wrong.


    Alexander''s mind drifted to her pleasant attitude and actions. He moved his tongue between his canines and bit down until it hurt. It''s over. I''m never talking to a human again. Don''t worry about that shit.


    Drake continued playfully nudging his side with an elbow. "Maybe you should find her and convince her to stay?"


    Alexander pushed against Drake''s shoulder. "yeah, fucking, right. I''m not desperate¡ªthey erased her memory when she left, and there are billions of humans for me to ea-" He cut himself off.


    Drake''s attention, much like his, was drawn to the alluring scent. It lingered from yesterday, now refreshed as she entered.


    He got off the wall, watching her, a slight curl at his lips in flabbergasted annoyance.


    She''s here!?


    The tiny girl approached them, sheepishly avoiding eye contact. He didn''t want to look her in the eyes either.


    Drake''s voice penetrated the silence. "You stayed?"


    Why the hell would she stay? None of those other humans Lev brought ever stayed.


    Alexander haplessly blurted out, "Do you like being eaten or something?" His perturbed remark made her cringe.


    She momentarily ignored them, walked on, and stopped at the time clock.


    Her gentle squeak was loud enough for the both of them, "The average family of four spends approximately 4 million dollars in their lifetime. That''s if the children move out at 18, and the parents die at 75. I was offered 500,000 if I last six months and 4 million if I last the year." Lynette lifted her badge, holding it near the time clock. "If I make it a year, in theory, I''ll be set for life."


    She took a deep breath and turned back to face Alexander. He watched her lips quiver. His eyebrows pressed together, and she broke eye contact.


    "And don''t act like I''m the weird one when you invited me here to...e-e-." She couldn''t say the word. "Do-what-you-did," she took a breath between each.


    Anytime he ate a human, he altered their memory after. None of them remembered, let alone had the capability of sassing him back for it.


    He struggled to think of something clever to say, so Lynette took the opportunity to scan in and leave before he could.


    Damn it.


    Drake walked past Alexander, reaching the time clock. "You are weird for bringing her here like that other playboy." Drake scanned in his badge.


    "Shut up."


    "Just saying..."


    He then ''respectfully'' flipped Drake off and kneed his ass to move him from in front of the time clock.


    Alexander scanned in and walked with him. Once Drake went to his kitchen station, they asked Alexander to linger in the back to help for the first half of their shift.


    He considered it a ¡°blessing¡± because he didn''t think he could handle being around her yet. His hunger acted far more persistent than normal right now.


    He never ate the same human twice, nor went anywhere near them. Why did I do this to myself?


    He glanced at the doorway leading to the registers, knowing she was beyond them. She''s an idiot if she thinks today will be any different.


    ¡­


    Lynette


    I wanted to talk to Edgar and give him a piece of my mind. You could have warned me! I knew I wouldn''t have joined if he did.


    I spent all night reading the spare contract Sandra printed for me. I partially understood their reasons. Magic and monsters were hidden in our world, and that''s why they would get rid of my memory of them if I left. They couldn''t risk exposure.


    I ran the damp rag over the counter, cleaning it. That''s terrifying, though. I don''t want to have my memory altered if I quit. My sleep-deprived brain also reminded me of the money. It was too much to lose.


    Am I thinking straight? It was hard to tell. My body ¡°denied¡± my sleep request last night and only played reruns of yesterday''s events.


    It was surreal¡ªan unfathomable horror to watch someone grow to such a length and devour me. I jittered, hopping from one foot to the other, and shook out my hands as if the saliva lingered on them.


    It''s so gross.


    I spotted a few customers in their booths watching me. I awkwardly smiled, stopped, tucked a few loose strands of hair under my hat, and faced ahead. They don''t even know monsters are working here, making PIZZA in the back!


    I finished wiping down the counter. This is like a setup for a bad sitcom.


    I tossed the rag into the bin we had beside the registers and inhaled deeply. I''m going to make this work. I feigned a smile. On the bright side, coworkers can''t attack each other outside work, either. If they did, it''s an immediate termination.


    I glanced at the opening leading back to the kitchen. At least that brute isn''t working with me for these first two hours.


    I nodded, exhaling out, letting my body slump with it. I wish I didn''t have to work with him at all.


    For the next two hours, I kept my promise to Edgar externally. I maintained my happy cheer, welcoming everyone to the pizzeria. While internally, I tried to think of a plan.


    "It''s time for your break." A smooth, feminine voice said from over the counter. I peered up at the muscular woman I caught a glimpse of yesterday. I nervously watched as she slipped to the register next to me.


    I weakly smiled. She''s about the same height as Alexander, "y-yeah. Thanks." I turned to leave my post in a hurry, only halted by my politeness. I looked back, "I-I''m Lynette, by the way."


    The bleach blonde bobbed her head. We both had heard each other''s names but hadn''t exchanged them, "Viola."


    The name of the mid-shifter who looks as capable of crushing my head with a flex of her biceps, similar to Alexander, got it.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    I whimpered a ''nice to meet you'' and left. I quickly rushed through the kitchen, avoiding glancing at any of them back there, and went to the break room. I stood at the door, listening to the quiet shrieks of my nerves.


    It''s okay. It''s not lunch.


    I got close enough for the automatic door to track me and went inside. It was the same as yesterday, high ceilings, giant spaces between each rounded table, TV at the far corner with large couches, and the kitchen at the far left near the door to the next break room. So, the odds are connected to the odds and the evens to the evens.


    I walked toward the kitchen area, remembering I forgot to pack a lunch yet again. I wish I packed something to eat or drink.


    They had a coffee maker and cups next to it. I''m not a coffee drinker like Wicks.


    My eyes drifted to the fancy refrigerator door made of glass and the message on its face.


    ''If it has a name, it belongs to someone. If not, you can have it, enjoy!'' - Edgar


    Curiously, I opened it and saw a bunch of water bottles and a black lunch box marked Drake in white marker.


    Alexander''s friend.


    I grabbed a bottle, checked for a name, and then uncapped it to throw it back.


    In my eagerness, I missed my mouth entirely and splashed my face. Clearly, I must be part fish. Why else would I miss my mouth?


    I moved over the sink, set my bottle down, and dried my face with a paper towel from the rack.


    "Hey, Lynette.¡±


    I jolted and flipped around. My back pressed against the counter of the sink.


    Drake very casually walked by and opened the fridge beside me.


    When did he come in?


    I remained in that spot until he left my proximity. He sat at the nearby table and positioned himself in the seat directly across from where I was.


    I finally spoke, "Hi."


    He lifted his hat briefly, fixed his bangs, and adjusted it.


    After doing so, he opened his lunch box and plucked out one of its many bags. Each had a mysterious dark red liquid inside. Are they blood bags?


    He undid what looked like a clip and put the end that was like a straw to his lips. I turned away, got my water, and threw out the crumpled paper towel.


    "We were surprised you stayed."


    I slowly faced him. His head was tilted down at his phone. He seems disinterested in me.


    "As I said, the money''s too precious to pass up." I took a sip of water, soothing my dry throat.


    He set his phone down and lazily lifted a hand to point far behind him at the door we came in. "I suppose you were too preoccupied to see the sign yesterday." I was. He continued, "When you go on lunch break, you''re free game for anyone in the company to eat for as long as the rest of your shift."


    That was in the contract, too. I downed my water, still listening.


    He tapped the tube to his lips, "If you last your whole lunch period without getting captured, any part of your body inside someone, they can''t eat you."


    He said it in a matter-of-fact type of tone. He''s not saying it like a warning or threat.


    His head moved up. I couldn''t see his eyes behind his bangs, yet I still felt his gaze.


    He shook his head. "Please don''t you lump me in with Alexander." I sheepishly looked away. Am I that easy to read? "I don''t eat people." Drake put the tube in his mouth and corrected me. "I bite them."


    "So..." I feel part of a fantasy book. "You''re a vampire?"


    "Vampire beast," he said.


    "Oh." Why is there a beast part? Should I ask? Do I want to? I didn''t plan on talking to either of them.


    Drake finished the first pouch and moved on to the next. "All you need to know is that I don''t plan on biting you unless it''s a new moon." He waved his hand back and forth. Hopefully, I won''t work then. "Other than that, I normally drink animal blood. It sucks-"


    I popped a smirk at his comment. He returned what he said, dismissing the pun, "It''s bland but it''s easier to get."


    He drank more.


    I crushed my empty water bottle and asked, "I can''t leave the building during lunch?"


    "Nope." He pointed to the doors, "You can use any of the four break rooms to run between." He dropped his shoulders, unamused. "People normally do."


    I threw my bottle away in the trash can. "I don''t mean to sound ungrateful, Drake." I cleared my throat nervously. "I don''t understand why you''re telling me this. Aren''t you working with Alexander?"


    His head leaned to one side, and he sighed deeply. "Honestly," he murmured as he lowered his drink. One of his wine-red eyes peeked out from his disheveled black hair. "You don''t stand a chance. Alexander is faster and stronger and knows this building SO much better than you. You won''t be able to run from him."


    My closed lips folded in on themselves.


    "I respect your goal. That''s why I told you. It''s rare for a human to stay past day one, and to top it all off," Drake''s lips curled slightly, "you leaving him speechless back there was funny. Not that it''s hard with him."


    He came off as innocent. Unlike Alexander, he looked gentler. I saw the glass door slide open, meaning he was walking in. My break was nearly over anyway.


    I got off the counter, "Thank you, Drake.¡±


    I moved past Alexander and out the door without saying a word out loud, only to myself. I won''t get eaten by you today.


    ...


    Alexander


    He sat across from Drake, who resumed looking at his phone and drinking his meal.


    His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What did you tell her?"


    Drake didn''t look up from his phone. He scrolled with it lying on the table. "I said she had no chance against you, even knowing the rules."


    Alexander grunted.


    "Not that it matters today¡ªyou said you were fine when we came in," Drake said.


    I was until she got in. Alexander thought as his stomach groaned. The fucking timing.


    Drake lifted his head, "seriously?"


    "Fuck you, I don''t control this shit." Alexander struggled to hide his embarrassment by hunching his shoulders and putting his forehead closer to the table.


    Drake mocked him, "I don''t know why I''m surprised. You''re not even giving her a break."


    He lifted his head and gestured toward the front of the break room. "It''s not my fault. She came back; she knows what I did and what I do."


    Drake completed another blood bag and swished it around, "she had a point earlier. I can''t imagine eating humans and liking it."


    Alexander threw himself from his chair, "don''t say it like that. I-" Why the fuck are you giving me such a hard time. "You make it sound like-" he threw his hands up and collapsed back onto his chair. "I don''t fucking know, okay? There''s something off with her that makes her taste so damn good. And it''s frustrating as all hell not knowing."


    Drake snidely retorted and patted Alexander''s shoulder, "The more I hear you," he cut off just to see the blondes aggravation rise.


    "You''d understand if you bite her,¡± Alexander pushed Drake''s hand off. ¡°or eat her. You know you could."


    "I''m curious, sure, but I''m not doing that."


    "Coward."


    "Glutton."


    "That''s it, fucker." Alexander leaped up from his seat once more in an attempt to tackle Drake.


    The vampire beast avoided it and vacated the break room. He left Alexander with his thoughts.


    Starved and infuriated ones as they are.


    It took some time to fend them off. The stupid games on his phone helped.


    When his break ended, he got to his next hurdle, her.


    They did their best to ignore each other. Alexander liked it that way. It was dreadful enough being next to her¡ªhe wanted nothing more than to eat her. It''s the reason he kept his mouth shut when he could yesterday.


    He did the same today and opened it when necessary for work-related talk. She didn''t do the same. It partially annoyed him that she reached over him or walked around him when she needed something and didn''t just say it. Whatever. It doesn''t matter.


    "I''ll be back," It was the first thing she had said to him in the last two hours.


    He saw she swayed back and forth when she did. She''s probably going to the bathroom.


    The counter got extremely busy after. They¡¯d randomly have spurts on weekends, and Viola helped him in Lynette''s absence. It took nearly an hour to slow back down.


    "You usually go to lunch early, Alexander," Viola said, peering down at her watch. "You have a few minutes left before you''re late."


    He grabbed his phone from his pocket and checked over the time. "How-" He looked around Viola, "hold on, what about Lynette? She never came back."


    "She went to lunch before the rush, didn''t she tell you?"


    Alexander''s eyes widened and quickly contracted, "that-" He held his tongue, "you take it from here then." He hurried through the kitchen and to the breakrooms. He opened the first, scanning over it. He saw Drake lounging on the couch.


    He shouted to him, "Where is she"?!"


    Drake looked up from his phone, "she left a little while ago when I came in..." The black-haired fellow cocked his head. "Wait, oh my gosh. You didn''t get her, did you?"


    Alexander ignored him and pulled out of breakroom one. He went across the hall into two. There was no one there. He walked across it and peeked into the door leading to break room four from two, and his nose finally picked up the freshness of her scent. She was leaving the room and heading across the hall to room 3.


    You''re not getting away from me.


    He ran into room three. Lynette weaved around the tables.


    "YOU LITTLE LIAR!" He shouted in his hunger constricted growl.


    His eyes lit up and his size shifted. His body grew larger to he''d easily catch her. He almost threw a barrier up, refraining because he knew she''d crash into it hard if he did.


    He bumped the tables out of the way with his legs, and she made it through the sliding door to breakroom one.


    He ducked, slipped through, and finally got his fingers close enough and near the ground to snatch her up without falling.


    "I didn''t lie, I said I''d be right back." She exclaimed, squirming in his grasp. He was twenty feet tall, four times her height.


    He shook her gently gripping her, as his mouth watered. "Yeah, fifty-something minutes ago," Alexander growled as he opened his mouth, not wanting to hear or think about it anymore.


    However, he froze when the buzzer started to go off.


    "M-my lunch-is o-o-over." She quietly informed him.


    He clenched his teeth and cupped her with both hands, frightening her further. It took every fiber of his being to undo his size shift and let her go when she was close enough to the ground. If I hadn''t said anything, I would have had her.


    He lifted his shaking hands to his face when she left. He haled her scent that coated them.


    Alexander released a loud "ARGGGH" and abashedly stomped to fix what he knocked over in the other room.


    When he finished, Alexander sat down on the couch by Drake.


    "She tricked you?"


    He leaned back, sinking into the couch made for them when they were a bigger size. He groaned, "She said she''d be right back. I thought she had to go to the bathroom." He went forward and slapped his hands on his thighs. "We got so overwhelmed up front,¡± his digits gripped harder on his legs. ¡°I didn''t notice she didn''t come back."


    "I told her she had no chance of winning." Drake''s smile wasn''t jabbing at Alexander this time. "Props to her, not that she can keep that up forever."


    Yeah, it was a fluke.


    Drake went back to his phone, and Alexander relaxed in the plush fabric. It was the best he could do anyway. His shallow gasps he let out were like screams from the instincts he suppressed.


    Then, in a soft, insulting hum, Drake purposefully said, "I can''t believe you got beat by a human."


    There it was, the heavy hit to Alexander''s crumbling pride.


    He grinned, peeved and pissed. He wouldn''t let Lynette take advantage of his stupidity again.


    "If she wants to make this a game, I''ll play."


    ...

 Chapter 5: Him or Me

    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¡ªI 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¡ªthey 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¡ªhowever, 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¡ªit 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."Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "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¡ªa 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¡ªthat''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."


    ...

 Chapter 6: Need Some Help

    I had a productive weekend of playing video games, sleeping, and¡­looking at other job opportunities.


    I shouldn¡¯t be. If I quit I¡¯ll forget everything. Not that I had any substantial information about any of them. My knowledge was bare, taking the different iterations of monsters I found on the internet. Drake obviously can handle sunlight. There¡¯s too many possible types to guess for the creep, Lev. And Alexander certainly doesn¡¯t say, ¡°fe, fi, fo, fum.¡±


    Wicks had been investigative these past few days too because of my sudden ¡°dreadfulness¡±. I¡¯d tell him with honest intent that the place was different from what I was used to, mentioning it had a ¡®hectic¡¯ environment.


    My heart twisted remorsefully not telling him the whole truth. What else is going on around us? How many more monsters are there? Are they just human skinned? How does that even work? The little I knew did nothing to quench my neverending questions.


    I can¡¯t just ask them. The only person that seemed a little receptive was Drake, but he¡¯s friends with Alexander. So if I go asking around he¡¯d tell him and I really don¡¯t want to talk to him.


    I put down my controller hearing the alarm buzz from my phone on the coffee table. I picked it up, checked the time, and pushed up from the couch. Eat, get ready, go to work. Wicks was called in early today, so I had no one to enjoy the Chinese leftovers with. I got myself a plate of chicken fried rice, set it on the bar, then side. Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Happy first week.¡± I muttered, taking a bite.


    <hr>


    contents here


    I had a productive weekend of playing video games, sleeping, and¡­looking at other job opportunities.


    I shouldn¡¯t be. If I quit I¡¯ll forget everything. Not that I had any substantial information about any of them. My knowledge was bare, taking the different iterations of monsters I found on the internet. Drake obviously can handle sunlight. There¡¯s too many possible types to guess for the creep, Lev. And Alexander certainly doesn¡¯t say, ¡°fe, fi, fo, fum.¡±


    Wicks had been investigative these past few days too because of my sudden ¡°dreadfulness¡±. I¡¯d tell him with honest intent that the place was different from what I was used to, mentioning it had a ¡®hectic¡¯ environment.


    My heart twisted remorsefully not telling him the whole truth. What else is going on around us? How many more monsters are there? Are they just human skinned? How does that even work? The little I knew did nothing to quench my neverending questions.


    I can¡¯t just ask them. The only person that seemed a little receptive was Drake, but he¡¯s friends with Alexander. So if I go asking around he¡¯d tell him and I really don¡¯t want to talk to him.


    I put down my controller hearing the alarm buzz from my phone on the coffee table. I picked it up, checked the time, and pushed up from the couch. Eat, get ready, go to work. Wicks was called in early today, so I had no one to enjoy the chinese leftovers with. I got myself a plate of chicken fried rice, set it on the bar, then side.


    ¡°Happy first week.¡± I muttered, taking a bite.