Chapter 2 - Y/N

I had the weirdest dream. I was running through the woods, holding a camera in my hands and I heard heavy footsteps behind me. I didn't want to look back, I just kept running and running.

Soon enough I saw the end of the forest, and pushing my way forward with all my might I ran towards the light of the street ahead. As soon as I felt I was running over gravel and finally out of the dark woods, I woke up.

"Well that'll do it", I said to myself while sitting up on my bed, "might as well start working on my damn school paper".

I opened up the computer and checked on the news. Apparently one of the truckers I served last night had gone missing.

'See, I knew something was off last night'.

His buddy reported it, claiming they rented a room at a motel nearby the diner. According to him, the trucker guy left the room for a couple of minutes, saying he was going to the vending machine. Never to return.

Trying not to think much of it, I started working on my paper. People go missing from time to time in this place, but it is also a small town in the middle of nowhere with not many opportunities. So, a lot of us just shrug it off as people skipping town.

Investigations rarely help, and when they do well... What they find is a mangled corpse to put it lightly. Probably eaten by a wild animal, or at least that's what the police report always says.

'This trucker dude though... it wouldn't make sense for him to skip town in the middle of a job'.

I tried to shake off the thought and decided to focus on my work instead. I'm not police and I'm certainly not capable of finding out what happened. 'I'll leave it to the experts I guess'.

A couple hours later, I finished doing most of the research I needed for my paper, and decided to take a break.

Standing up from my desk, I walked over to the kitchen to make myself some coffee. Then while the coffeemaker did its job, I went back to my bedroom towards my bathroom, to take a long hot shower.

My stomach growled, 'well fuck, I haven't eaten all day'.

I made myself a (your favorite) sandwich, and sat by the T.V to eat it and drink my coffee.

Some time later I got ready and left for work. I was wearing the same dress uniform, with the apron, and black Vans sneakers (or pick another type of sneaker).

I noticed the diner was way crowded today, 'I guess it makes sense, today is Friday and people don't wanna cook'.

The feeling of being watched started to creep over me again. I was busy taking orders and bringing out the food, but I couldn't stop glancing at the window from time to time.

Out of the corner of my eye I catched a couple of figures near the street by the woods. 'Maybe three figures? No, two, definitely... I think. I really, really should get glasses'.

Hours later I glanced at the clock, it was 2 AM now. People had long gone to their houses and just a handful of people remained.

"I'm gonna take my break guys. Table 2 and 5 are almost done!" I yelled at my coworkers and went out back for a bit of air.

After 20 minutes I went back inside, feeling a bit better but still anxious. 'What is up with me today?'.

"Y/N, you're done with your break?" the cook asked as I came in through the back door again.

His name was Bradley. I didn't know him that well, but I believed he was pushing 50, maybe less. He wasn't a bad man, but after a couple of years of working with him I knew I didn't know what to expect with him. Sometimes he was the kindest man, and some nights he just talked to people in growls and grunts.

During the night shift it was only me, Jonah the cashier, Bradley and Mrs. Jefferson who was also a waitress. I didn't really care for them that much. They were kind to me, but I was the youngest person working there, and I didn't really have much to talk about with them.

I looked back at thim and nodded in reply. "Ok then, take these fries and sodas to table 4", he said with a tired voice.

Without a word, I took the food and walked out to the dining area.

Sitting at the table were three guys. One of them had a couple of hatchets, so I figured they were lumberjacks or hunters. It's normal seeing those types around here, especially with such a big forest near town. Though, the one with the hatchets was wearing some sort of mouth guard? 'Maybe for the sawdust or something. Why is he wearing it inside though'. I didn't think much of it, and honestly, working the night shift I've seen weirder stuff.

They seemed to be in their 20s, kind of good looking if you ask me. 'Behave yourself, Y/N'. I kind of chuckled to myself, 'damn I'm lonely though'.

Putting down their food on the table, I smiled and politely asked "anything else I could get you guys?".

"N-no. T-th-thanks", I turned to see the guy who replied. I noticed he was twitching and stuttering, but I just moved past it. It's none of my business anyway.

He had messy, chocolate colored hair which matched his kind eyes. He wore a jacket with a dark blue hoodie underneath, a pair of orange goggles on top of his head and that weird mouthguard.

The other two wore hoodies, one yellow and the other sort of a tan color. They also had brown, messy hair and looked awfully tired, in contrast with their goggled friend.

"Great, let me know if you need a refill", and with that I turned around and left to attend to the other couple customers sitting at the other side of the diner.

A few minutes later I heard one of them call me, "excuse me, Miss?". I turn around to see the yellow hoodie guy with his cup of coffee in his hand, pointing at it asking for a refill. I walked over, with the coffee pot in hand.

"Here you go", I said with a smile. 'I'm just being polite, nothing more. Customer service is my passion', I slapped myself internally.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"C-can I h-ha-have more s-s-oda, Miss...?" the one with the goggles asked.

"Y/N", I said, still smiling. "Sure, I'll be right back".

Some time later, the table 4 guys left without me noticing. They left enough money to cover the bill and a 20% tip. 'At least they tip well'.

I took the money and continued working the last few hours of my shift. The rest of the night was uneventful and I noticed I wasn't feeling uneasy anymore. Soon enough my shift ended and I started walking home with the first sun rays of the day.

'Those guys were cute... I wonder if they're new in town. I kinda want to run into them again'.