Hannah

I have been as shaky as a leaf during high winds after last night. I keep replaying the scene and seeing that poor man being killed. I knew I should have changed my schedule months ago at the Pink Cup. I hate closing, but you get paid more when you work the crappy shift. It would help if I still had my car, but you adjust when the repo man shows up in the middle of the night.

I finger through the dollar bills that are in my wallet trying to determine if I have enough money for a cab. I normally walk to the diner, but after last night I am afraid too. I keep seeing those dark brown eyes staring at me. I am surprised that he didn’t run after me, since I am a witness. The worst part is he was so fucking hot. I can’t believe I am even thinking about how hot the guy was, he murdered someone in an alley for goodness sake. What is wrong with me? I know what is wrong with me, it’s been too long since I have had sex. Who has time for sex when you’re trying to figure out how you’ll pay rent? I live above a fucking bar and I still can barely afford it.

If my life didn’t already suck… I witnessed a murder. Why is the universe being so cruel to me? I put my wallet away realizing that my options are cab or food. I jump at every noise I hear on the way to the diner. I wonder if that guy is looking for me? This is Chicago and if there is one thing I have seen on the news witnesses do disappear. Maybe I should hope he finds me? It would only take me out of my misery.

When I walk into the Pink Cup the other girls are standing around staring into space. There aren’t any customers, but there are barely ever any customers. I am not even sure how we manage to stay open. I work the closing shift and we normally only get 4-5 customers a night. Most of them are high and on drugs so they barely eat anything at all. Nikki gives me a big phony smile as she approaches, and I put my purse behind the register. I narrow my eyes at her and she starts telling me that a hot guy was at the diner looking for me earlier. My heart starts to race as I think back to the previous night and the thought occurs to me that I was wearing my waitress uniform. I stare at the ceiling remembering how my parents always said I was stupid. They would just love hearing that I walked into an alley and saw someone being killed. I sometimes blame myself that they are alcoholics. If only I was smarter or funnier as a kid, just maybe they would have been more interested in me than in the Jack Daniels.

My brother Henry was lucky, he got out when he could. Henry ran away from home when he was fifteen and my parents never bothered looking for him. I wish I would have gone with him. I wish he would have invited me along, but he didn’t. He was just like my parents in that way, he was selfish.

Nikki clears her throat to get my attention and I turn my attention back to her. She advises that the guy that was in looking for me was very attractive. I ask her what he looked like and she tells me he was at least six feet tall, had black hair and the most amazing brown eyes. She tells me that he had that sexy just didn’t shave five o’clock shadow and then explains that he mentioned he’ll be back. My head snaps back when she mentions that he said he would be back. Nikki’s description sounds like that guy from the alley.

I rub my stomach mentioning to Nikki that I am starting to feel sick. Nikki rolls her eyes and tells me that she refuses to put in a double shift for me today. I talk to the other girls and practically beg them to work for me, but none of them are takers. I guess the theory of being a team only applies when they need something. I can’t be here when this guy comes back in. Is he coming to kill me too? I don’t think any of the girls will care if he does. I’ll most likely die on this sticky ass floor and they’ll step over me when their shift ends. I close my eyes wondering how long my body lay here? Silently I start to pray that my last breath isn’t taken at the Pink Cup.

Stan Irwin is the worst boss any person can ever have. He is this bald, out of shape jerk that always looks at every girl that works here the wrong way. He never looks you in the eyes, he talks to your chest and I have often had to point out where my eyes are located. There are two other waitresses here tonight and I have asked him several times if I can go home early. I keep thinking about Nikki telling me the killer will be back to see me and I need to get the hell out of here. Stan keeps telling me that it will get busy and that I need to keep my ass at work. After asking him for the third time if I can just leave, he reminds me that I need a job. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right I do need the job. I fight back the tears as I stare at my two co-workers. Stan lets these two bitches get away with everything. One of them comes in late daily and uses sick days like they are extra vacation days. The other girl has worked for Stan from day One and I am shocked she finds her way to the door at night. I suppose I am needed here tonight; I am really the only working employee he has on this shift.

I daydream about strangling Stan with my own two hands when I hear a gasp. My co-worker Tina leans towards me whispering that the hottest man that has ever walked into the Pink Cup, just came in. I turn around and she is correct. He is the hottest man that has entered the diner. He stops and looks directly at me. He’s at least six feet and has dark hair that is cut short. The guy has a dark beard and he’s wearing a white t-shirt and jeans and a short leather coat. His eyes narrow on me as I stare back at him. I know exactly who he is. I push my glasses further up and he tilts his head. He recognizes me too…It’s the killer from last night.

His eyes never leave mine as he heads directly to the table and when he pulls off his jacket I see his arms are covered in tattoos. It’s odd that the laziest waitress approaches him first and he shakes his head and nods towards me. She turns her back to him and walks over to tell me that he wants to talk to me. I take a deep breath as I stare at him. He again nods his head for me to come to his table, but my feet are stuck to the very spot I am standing. I don’t think I can do this. I don’t want to do this. Is he here to kill me too? I feel a slight push at my back and I start to slowly walk to his table. Once I am standing next to him, he nods at the chair that is across from him and I shake my head.

“Sit down.” His brows set in a straight line. I can’t help but notice it doesn’t sound like he’s asking. I shake my head again.

“I won’t tell you again.” His eyebrow raised in amused contempt. I look at my two lazy co-workers who are watching me and I slowly move to the other side of the table. I pull out the chair and I slowly sit down as I stare into his chocolate brown eyes. They are beautiful, but they are hard. I stare into them wondering how many people he has killed? How many people has he watched the life being drained out of?

“Last night you were in the wrong place and seen something you shouldn’t have.” He reminds me, and I glance back at the other girls wondering if they can hear him. He hits his fists against the table and I jump hoping it doesn’t fall apart. This isn’t a first-rate diner with nice furniture after all.

“Are you listening to me? I don’t have all fucking night.” He said matter-of-factly

“Yes. I won’t say anything. I swear.” I promise, and his eyes narrow on me as his eyes fall to my chest

“Listen…. Hannah… the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt a woman. But there are first times for everything. I have connections at the police station and if I even think you walked past the station, I will have no other choice…”

I stop him before he continues as I suddenly feel sick that I wore my damn name tag over to the table. How stupid can I be?

“I won’t say anything.” I slowly repeat as I stare into the coldest eyes I have ever seen

The chair squeaks as he sits back and continues to stare at me. He glances around the restaurant and I notice that his eyes widen as he looks at something behind me. I turn to see Stan practically stomping out of the back and heads straight to the table

“Am I paying you to sit down?!” he yells, and I jump up and start to apologize as the killer stands to his feet

“Hey… This is the second time today I have been here and both times I was the only customer. I hardly think her sitting down and talking to your only customer is a problem. Maybe if you had better customer service it would increase your business. Your food sure as hell won’t.” the killer advises and Stan sucks in a breath as if he is shocked he was talked to in that manner. He narrows his eyes at me and stomps away.

The hot killer sits down and nods for me to sit and I glance back towards the kitchen and retake my seat. I fight back my small smile at seeing Stan being talked to like that. I am really the only waitress that even attempts to give him an attitude. The other girls kiss his ass like they get paid extra to do it.

“How long have you worked here?” he asks

“Too long” I reply

“Look Mr.…Killer… I promise you that I won’t talk. I can only give you my word.” I promise, and I look up to find him fighting back a small smile

“Fred. Please call me Fred. I will be keeping my eye on you Hannah.” He threatens as he walks away.

“HANNAH COFE… I WANT TO SEE YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE!” Stan shouts from the kitchen and I close my eyes before looking back at my happier than usual co-workers. Why wouldn’t they be happy? They know I am in trouble.