Chapter Text
It was probably the biggest mistake of your life, but you hadn’t really thought much about it at the time. It was just a stupid dare, some impulse decision you made late at night. You tried to call your friend beforehand but it was a bit too late to reach them.
100 bucks.
That’s how much cash your friend promised to cough up if you broke in and spent the night in this beat up Pizzeria. You had on some warm clothes, it was winter after all.
You peered through the window on the backdoor. It didn’t look like any of the lights were on so you pulled the flashlight out of your bag.
You’d elected to bring just a few things in a beat up backpack that you slung over your back. Two water bottles, a couple granola bars, a flashlight which was now in your hand, a small pocket knife which you probably wouldn’t have to use and a Polaroid camera to take pictures for proof of your night here.
Taking a deep breath and letting it condensate in the cold air, you tried the doorknob. Locked. Of course it would be, it wouldn’t be that easy.
You clicked the flashlight on and looked around the alleyway, it was mostly trash and- was that a rat? Well that served as a reminder for you never to eat here.
You shuddered a bit and looked over at the trashcan that was pressed up against the brick wall. There wasn’t a streetlight, so your flashlight was the only thing illuminating the area.
No windows besides the one on the door in front of you.
You tried the doorknob again before looking down at the mat underneath your feet.
Maybe. You stepped back and knelt in front of the mat, lifting it up. Wow.
There it was, a key. You felt immensely lucky that that idea had worked.
Click.
You pushed the door gently, it let out a soft creak as you stepped inside and closed it behind you. You stuffed the key into your bag.
The bathroom would probably be the best place to set up. But you hadn’t exactly been here before so you'd have to explore.
You looked around the hall, there was the door to what you assumed was the kitchen and then across from it was another door.
You tried it, locked.
Well there were other rooms. You stepped forward and rounded the corner, looking around with your flashlight.
There were tables that had white tablecloths speckled with various colors. Deflated balloons sat on top of them along with scattered party hats that were far too small for you.
A stage was front and center with- Shit. Shit shit shit that was a guy in front of it.
You ducked back around the corner, pressing yourself against the wall and taking a deep breath.
Nobody was supposed to be here. Did he see you? Surely he must've seen your-
"Hey!"
Fuck!
You clicked your flashlight off, trying to quickly make your way back to the door.
Shit why did you do this- why did you-
A hand grasped your hood, tugging you back and stopping you from moving forward. Your flashlight clattered onto the floor and you let out a choked squeak as you froze in place.
You heard soft panting coming from behind you. You stayed still for a moment before glancing behind you at the man holding your hoodie.
“Uh-” You blinked, you could only really see his silhouette in the darkness. “L-look I didn’t- I wasn’t going to steal anything I swear I just-”
“How is it that you found your way in here?” He interrupted. He had an accent, Northern British, which was strange. It stuck out like a sore thumb.
“I- There was uh- a key under the mat. I’m really sorry I-”
“Give me the key.” He demanded, letting go of your hood and holding out his hand. You pulled your backpack off and grabbed the key out of it, dropping it into his hand and gingerly picked up your flashlight as he brushed past you.
“Look- you’re not going to call the cops on me, right?”
Silence, was he…locking the door?
Shit he was definitely going to call the cops.
“Why did you come here?” He asked, jiggling the doorknob to check that it was locked before turning back to face you. You could see him a bit better now, illuminated by the light of the moon shining into the alleyway. He was 6 foot something and looked to be around 40 years old. He had stubble and messy dark hair with dull eyes.
"My friend dared me to spend the night for 100 bucks so I just- I did it and uh- yeah- Are you going to call the cops on me?"
"So this friend of yours, they know where you are?"
"No? I mean- I was just going to take some pictures to get the money but I- I wasn’t going to do anything else or tell them to come with me or anything- I was just-"
"So you broke into my restaurant and planned to take photographs of the crime you were committing?"
"Uh- yeah?"
He chuckled, running his fingers through his hair and you laughed awkwardly.
"I'm not going to call the police on you," He stepped towards you.
"Thank you so much I-"
"It's quite rude to interrupt," He frowned, standing directly in front of you now. "I was going to say, I'm not going to call the police on you, but, I'm afraid you've just given me an opportunity I cannot pass up."
You looked up at him, frowning and backing up a bit before he gripped your shoulder tightly and you let out a soft gasp.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"You have a very foul mouth," He tsked, leaning closer to you. "It's no fun if they don't run, you know, and usually they're too little to put up much of a fight-"
"What?"
"You're quite dense as well. Let me put it to you this way," He let go of your shoulder, smiling and standing back up to his full height.
"Run."