Chapter 8
CRISSA
“Crissa?” Tawny’s voice dragged my focus back. “You okay?” I could tell she was worried by my appearance. I had shown up to work looking disheveled and worn out, with bags under my eyes and all my color drained from my face.
“Yeah.” I lied. “Just had a rough start today. But I’m good.”
It would be better if Zeth hadn’t taken my body out for a spin last night.
Every part of me ached and hurt from some unknown reason, and my stomach had been upset all day. Like I’d eaten something bad that didn’t sit well in my stomach.
Fucking demon.
Tawny didn’t buy my lie. “Mhm. Sure that’s it?” she asked, crossing her arms. “No more issues with redheads or anything?”
I forced a fake smile and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Nah.” She eyed me closely. “So, it’s just me and William tonight, right?” My question seemed to completely distract her. Thank God.
“Yeah. Last shift tied up most of the kitchen and closed out the register while you went on break, but I’ll need you to do a walkthrough to make sure everything is put away and wiped down.
I’ll also need you to take out the trash and make sure the chairs and tables are set for the morning.
” She looked around the dining room. “Could probably use another mopping in here too. Those last few parties you had tonight were wild. Damn kids.”
I nodded. “You can count on me.” My hand raised to my head as I jokingly saluted her.
Tawny didn’t seem too amused. “Yeah, well, don’t fuck this up, kid.” She tossed me the keys to Big Top. “There’s a storm coming in tonight. A bad one. You’re not scared of the dark now, are you?”
I shook my head.
“Good. Don’t be surprised if the electricity goes out for a minute or two. Just sit tight and it’ll come back on.”
“What if it doesn’t?” I asked.
Tawny shrugged. “You call me. But use the office phone in the back where William is. That one’s got one of those fancy copper-corded lines and should work even if the power goes out.
” She grabbed her bag and walked towards the front door, pausing to look back at me.
“Lock it all down and keep yourself busy. And no matter what happens, don’t let anyone inside understand? ”
“Yeah, yeah. You don’t have to worry, Tawny.
No one is going to come lurking around a mall pizzeria in the middle of the night.
” I scoffed, laughing faintly to myself.
Truthfully, I didn’t even know why we had nightshift workers when the whole mall was shut down, but Tawny always insisted and she was the boss.
“Just get home before the storm hits. And if anything happens, I’ll call you. ”
Tawny nodded. “And don’t forget—” She pointed to the many security cameras all around the pizzeria. “William can see everything. And once this door is locked, you set those alarms. If anything happens, I’ll rush right over.”
“Got it.”
Tawny waved goodbye, then walked out the door.
I immediately locked it behind her, setting the alarm before turning around and noticing the red light on one of the cameras.
William must’ve been watching, which made me shiver.
“Creepy,” I whispered. I stepped from the door and returned to the kitchen.
Time flew by as I tied up the few tasks left for me in the kitchen.
Thankfully, the last shift actually did their jobs, and all I really had to focus on was sweeping up some leftover toppings and cheese, followed by a quick mopping.
I then bagged all the trash up in the pizzeria and lugged the big, heavy bags out the back door and into the alley.
It was dark and cold, and misting every so faintly.
“Here comes the storm,” I sang aloud. A soft squeak caught my attention as I was chucking the last bag and I noticed one of my rat friends.
“Well hey there stranger.” I bent down to greet the little critter.
“What’re you doing out here?” The rat squeaked, staring up at me with its dark beady eyes.
“You really shouldn’t be out in this weather.
” It squealed again. “Hmm. Why don’t you come inside with me?
” I extended my hand, turning over my palm.
The rat hopped onto it and I raised it close to my chest, stroking its back.
“Poor little guy. You must be freezing!” I clutched the rat close and hurried to the back door.
Before shutting it, I paused. “Maybe I should leave it cracked for the others…” I glanced around the dark alley, pondering.
“Just a little crack,” I whispered, propping the back door open.
The rat scurried up to my shoulder and nestled against my cheek.
An innocent laugh escaped my lips. “Oh, you cutie. Alright, you stay out of sight now, okay? I can’t have William seeing you on those cameras.
” The little guy nodded and jumped onto a kitchen counter before disappearing somewhere in the kitchen.
Such unique little creatures. I can see why you have taken such a liking to them.
Zeth’s voice startled the hell out of me, making me jump. “What the fuck?” I shouted back at him. “You can’t just pop in on me like that!” My heart pounded in my chest.
His laughter filled my brain.
What useless plans do you have this evening, dear Crissa?
I frowned at his question. “For your information, I’m working Lavender’s shift.” I grabbed the mop and bucket, filling it with hot water and cleaner to tackle part of the dining area. Zeth groaned and moaned.
Such a waste of a good evening. I can smell the impending storm. It is perfect weather for a midnight hunt. You should leave this pointless job and have some fun, just as I did last night.
I stopped. “I don’t want to know what you did last night. And I don’t want it to happen again. You can’t just take my body like that! What if someone would’ve seen you? Or worse?”
He ruptured into laughter.
Oh Criss-s-s-a. You cannot expect me to sit idly by as you waste my presence. I am not a pet, but a demon. And demons have needs. Besides, no human on Earth could stop me from having such a joyous time. And last night was a bloody good time indeed.
My stomach turned at his words. “Whatever.” The water in the bucket splashed around as I dropped the mop into it and wheeled it out into the dining area.
I could feel Zeth’s presence clawing at my existence while I quickly flipped the chairs over onto their tables.
It was such an uncomfortable feeling that made me shiver.
If you do not like it, then let me out to play.
“No,” I whispered to myself.
And why not?
I stopped and turned away from one of the cameras. “Because I’m not alone.” He purred. “There’s a security guard here and he’s watching everything on the cameras. So just shut up and let me do my damn job.”
Zeth snarled.
You are a worthless vessel.
“Oh zip it, Seth,” I mocked.
Do not call me that! My name is Zeth, you puny pathetic human!
I rolled my eyes and grabbed the mop, ignoring the demon’s continued insults, doing my best to do my damn job.
“I can’t fuck this up…Tawny’s relying on me.
” I continued to mop the dining area, making it maybe halfway when the rain suddenly picked up.
I returned the mop to its bucket and approached the front door that looked out to the empty mall parking lot.
A chill traveled up my spine seeing that it nearly pitch black outside and the wind was howling.
Criss-s-s-a.
I tried to ignore Zeth’s voice and stood there for a moment, trying to compose myself.
“Everything is fine,” I whispered, placing my hands against the cold glass door of the pizzeria.
My breath fogged it, clouding my view as I peered out into the darkness.
“See? No one's out there, Crissa. Everything is fine.” I tried to reassure myself, but an unsettling feeling draped over my shoulders.
Oh, but there is.
I didn’t like the way he said that.
Thunder boomed in the night, rumbling overhead as the storm grew into an angry beast. Slowly stepping away from the door, a bright light filled the pizzeria for a brief second as lightning flashed, followed by another loud wave of thunder.
The lights within the dining area flickered and spazzed as the circus-themed music, which usually only played during work hours, suddenly shot to life.
An eerie clown laugh echoed through the speakers and I began to get really freaked out.
“What the hell?!” My hands clasped over my ears, trying to block the sounds.
Now this is more to my liking.
“Shut up,” I breathed. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” I didn’t want to hear him anymore.
The kitchen doors suddenly burst open as someone rushed into the dining area and I fell back, frightened. “Zeth!” I shouted at the demon for help, but quickly realized it was William. My hands fell as I exhaled, beyond relieved.
“Sorry kid.” The older man walked over to me, helping me back on my feet. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”
We both looked around, baffled by the bizarre electrical issues. “Does this always happen when it storms?” I shouted above the music to him.
William shook his head. “Nah. This is completely out of the ordinary. Must be that old wiring that’s been here since they opened awhile back.
I told Tawny it should be replaced, but she never listens!
” Lightning struck again, almost immediately followed by more thunder.
We both reacted, and within seconds, the electricity completely shut off, leaving us in the dark.
“Damnit,” he huffed. William reached down to his belt and pulled out a flashlight. All I could hear was Zeth’s faint laughter rolling around in my head.
William walked over to the front counter and flipped the switches, but nothing happened. “Looks like the power’s out.” He aimed the beam of his light up at the cameras, their red lights now dead. “Cameras seem to be out too.”