Hi guys. Sorry for the slow update. Classes have started recently, so I'm a bit overwhelmed. However, I'm very grateful that you all enjoy this story! Thank you muchly for reading ❤️

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October 1st, 2005
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It's been a few days since Bob left. You made him go home after 5 days, because you felt bad over the fact that he did almost all your house chores for you. You'd wake up, and your laundry would be done and folded. You'd walk in the house, and he'd be cooking dinner. It was strangely domestic, and you liked it. It was nice.

And yet...

It made you feel weird. Maybe because you guys weren't dating. And he constantly did things that made you feel like you guys were partners. But you still appreciated the fact that he's a nice caring person.

And cute.

....

Oh no.

You shake your head, willing the thoughts away. You have a busy day ahead of you.

———

Matthew steps out of the taxi, map clutched in hand. This was definitely the town alright. Incredibly small, run down, and looked like two fucking people lived here. He closed the door, paying the driver.

It'll be a few hours until he has to meet up with you. Matt sighs, cracking his back. Suddenly, his eyes meet with a cute little restaurant.

"Boys and.... Grills?" Matt mumbles to himself. Hm. Sure is punny. He shrugs, hauling his backpack over his shoulder. Guess he'll grab a bite to eat for now. He walks down the street, earning several odd looks from the locals.

I guess this is how (Y/N) felt when they first came here. Feels like everyone is out to fucking get me.

He picks up the pace, finally making it into the entrance of Boys and Grills. He opens the door, the bell attached jingling as per usual.

"Welcome in!" rings from the back. He doesn't acknowledge the voice, opting to seat himself. As he makes his way over to the bar and sits down, he eyes the various decorations on the walls.

One decoration however, stood out to him. It was a picture of two men. A blonde one, and a raven-haired one.

He stares at the darker haired man in the photo. Something is off about him. His eyes? His smile maybe? Either way, Matt tears his eyes away from the photo and turns back around. He's met face to face with the same man in the photo. His eyes are lidded, and he's wearing the exact same menacing smile.

"Hey there. What can I get ya?" Bob asks in a friendly voice.

Matt's eyebrows raise. "Uh, I'm not sure. You guys got a menu or something?" He asks.

Bob grabs a menu, keeping eye contact with Matthew. This is definitely the guy he's going to kill tonight. He can tell.

Bob slides the menu towards Matt, not saying anything.

Jesus Christ this guy is weird. Matt thinks to himself, grabbing the menu and opening it. "Thanks." After a few seconds of looking, his train of thought is interrupted.

"So. You new here?" Bob asks, pouring a glass of water and handing it to Matt.

He grabs the water, taking a quick swig. "Yeah. But I'm just visiting someone." Matt says.

Bob's smile never leaves his face. He juts his hand out. "I'm Bob. The owner of this place."

Matt grabs his hand, quickly shaking it. "Matthew." He pulls his hand away rather quickly, irked by Bob's weird behavior.

Not wanting to be around this guy anymore, Matt quickly closes the menu. "I'll get the hamburger."

Bob takes the menu. "Good choice." Matt watches as he walks over to the grills, starting his food.

He wants to find you as quickly as possible and get out of this strange town.

As Bob flips Matt's burger, he can't help but practically vibrate with excitement. He gets to kill this guy and avenge you. Then, you'll profess your undying love to him and-

"Hey! Can I get a menu?" A patron asks. Bob is yanked out of his fantasy.

"Right away!" He grabs a menu, handing it to the rowdy patron. It's a Friday night, so it's busy, but he hopes he can get off at 5:30 as scheduled. Thirty minutes is more than enough time for him to prepare.

He eyes Matt every now and then. The brunette isn't paying attention to Bob anymore, his eyes wandering the restaurant.

-

Sooner than later, Matt is gone. It's 5:25, and Bob is ready to leave and get the show started.

He makes sure that his coworkers are good to close for the night, and exits quickly, yanking off his apron and hat. His house is rather close to the restaurant - just tucked away in a little forest area. He speed walks there, giant grin on his face.

As soon as he enters his house, he quickly takes off his work shirt, and slides his classic red sweater over his head. He grabs the devil mask as well, slipping it on his face. Perfect.

He quickly grabs his discarded work clothes, throwing them in the nearest closet. He makes his way over to the kitchen. Most of his house is dilapidated and uncared for, but his kitchen is the most clean.

He spreads a tarp over the counter. Turning around, he grabs his tools. The drawers are lined with various knives, torture tools, etc. Theres even a power saw laying on the counter. He lifts up his shirt, shoving a few tools into his belt. His favorite being the boning knife.

He checks the time. 5:59. Matt will be here any second now...

Bob walks up to the door, peering out the window. When Matt shows up, he'll be ready to pounce.

-

Matt walks down the forest path, map in hand. It's already dark out, making the place 10 times more spooky. He wipes his brow, looking up at the molding house in front of him.

House number... 222. I guess this is it.

He shoves the map into his backpack. He can't believe you live here... it's a fucking dump. But that doesn't matter. He's just happy he gets to see you again. Matt walks up to the porch, knocking on the door.

No answer.

He knocks again, a little more aggressively.

It finally creaks open - albeit slowly. Matt sighs in frustration. "(Y/N), you said 6 o'clock SHARP. It's..." he checks his watch. "6:04!"

No response from you, however. Matt pushes the door open a little further, stepping in.

"...(Y/N)? You here?" It's fucking creepy in here. The smell of mildew is extremely prevalent, and the lights are dimmed very low.

Matt walks in even further, each footstep making a creak as he steps on the loose floorboards.

Huh... maybe they're-

SLAM!

Alarmed at the sudden loud noise, Matt quickly turns around. The front door is closed. Instantly freaked out now, he quickly walks to the door. He wiggles the handle - but it's locked.

"(Y/N) this isn't fucking funny. Don't do this to me." Matt says, voice panicked. He fails to realize that a pair of red hands are slowly reaching out for his neck. As he continues to jiggle the handle, the hands finally wrap around his neck.

Matt freaks out, attempting to turn around. That was a bad decision however, because his captor starts to choke him. Matt struggles, clawing at the hands. He's struggling to breathe - Is he going to die? Is this how he dies???

A low rumble of a laugh reverberates through the air as Matt loses consciousness.

-

"Uggghhnnn....."

The lights are bright. His head is pounding. Matt slowly opens his eyes, groaning again.

He's still alive?

As he grows more conscious, he takes a look at his surroundings. Countertops...a sink... knives... he's in a kitchen. Matt attempts to get up, but is cut short by restraints that bind his ankles and wrists to the counter. He pulls and pulls at the restraints, grunting in frustration. He eventually gives up, chest heaving. What the fuck is going on? Is this some sick prank?

"Did you know..."

Huh? Who's speaking-?

"The Halal method produces more tender and fresh meat?" At that sentence, a man appears from the shadows. He's wearing a red devil mask, and there's a huge grin on his face.

Matt instinctively tries to cower away. "Who the hell are you?!"

Bob has been waiting for this. He whips out his knife, holding it against Matt's throat.

"I'm karma."

And at that, Bob slides the knife directly across Matt's neck.

-

Knock knock knock

"I'm coming!" You shout, opening the bathroom door. You quickly walk over to the front door, unlocking it and throwing it open.

You didn't expect to see the police on your porch, however.

"Oh. Jack, John. Hi!" You scratch your head. "Is everything alright?"

John looks at you with a sympathetic look. "Listen. We're going around to everyone's house - there's been another body found." He takes a drag of his cigarette. "However, this one was found completely whole. The only thing missing was his.... innards."

You frown. "Okay? Why are you telling me this?"

Jack speaks up now. "We're telling you this because the body just showed up a few hours ago. It was found a few houses away from yours." He sighs. "Normally, we don't find whole bodies. Not to mention that this one was left out in the open. This is... different from the killers MO."

You blink. "Wait. What? The body was... found a block away?"

They both nod.

You pale a bit. Jesus... you can't imagine the trauma of seeing a dead mutilated corpse.

John looks up at you again. "We're gonna check out the body, find out the cause of death. Meanwhile, please stay safe and in your house. We don't need anymore dead people on our hands."

You hug yourself. "Okay, yeah. I'll be careful."

Both of the men nod. John speaks up. "Alright. Have a goodnight, (Y/N)."

You slowly close the door. "Thanks guys. Good luck." You wave out the window as you watch them drive away.

This is getting too real. Things just keep getting worse. How are you not dead yet?

-

Jack and John are in the morgue with Patty. Everyone is peering over the body.

Patty sighs, pulling the blanket off the deceased man. "Male. Looks to be in his late twenties. Died from an abrasion to the neck." She pokes his chest. "He must be a visitor. Haven't seen him around here." She points to the giant hole in his stomach. "Besides the missing organs, this is the most intact body we've found."

John sighs. "Jesus. Was there any belongings on his person? Phone? Wallet?"

Patty turns to the counter, grabbing a small item. "No. Nothing we could find." She holds it towards John. "Except for this."

John grabs the item from her. It's a picture. Him and Jack peer over it. It's a picture of the dead man on the table and...

You.

The men gasp. "Holy shit."