SUGAR | Eyeless Jack x Reader

Circumstance

Reader

          The buzzing of the fluorescent lights sounded deafening as you stared at your computer screen. Your cubicle felt cramped and suffocating in the summer heat. You cursed corporate for being too cheap to pay for proper air conditioning in the building. Your eyes flicked to the clock in the corner of your computer screen, happy to see it showed 11:15 p.m. The normal hum of the office, a cacophony of ringing phones, tapping keyboards, and whispered conversations, had dwindled to a concentrated silence as everyone tried to finish their work for the day. You reminisced about the early days when leaving at 5 p.m. was a reality. But today, Holly, your usually understanding boss, had pleaded with you to stay late. "It's crunch time," she'd said, her eyes shadowed with fatigue, "we need all hands on deck."

           You submitted the last report just as a gentle knock on the wall of your cubicle pulled you from your daze. Holly stood there, her silhouette illuminated by the dimmed lights of the late hours. "You're a lifesaver," she said softly, an exhausted smile tugging at her lips. "Please, get some rest. Tomorrow's another marathon."

          You smiled, thanking her. She lingered just a moment longer before she got called away to look at your coworker's report. You lean back in your chair, sighing and looking up at those horribly bright lights. You knew you'd have to come back and do the same thing the next day. But the money was good, and you did have bills to pay. You sat up and began packing up your belongings into the drawstring bag you brought with you. You logged off of your computer and swung your bag around your shoulder.

          You exited the office building and onto the sidewalk. It was nearly 11:30, but the night air was still muggy and warm. You sighed at the thought of walking home. You were exhausted from work and already sweating from the heat. You'd be lying if you said that you weren't also a little nervous. The news had been full of stories of a serial killer appearing in your city. According to the reports, the victims were all found missing organs. The thought made you shiver. You'd always been into horror and spooky things, but having a serial killer roaming the same streets as you was unnerving, to say the least.

          You took a deep breath and started on your way. It was a short walk; surely nothing would happen, right? Still, you found yourself checking over your shoulder as you went. Every noise made your heart skip a beat, but you gradually felt yourself relaxing the closer you got to your house. You made it about halfway through the walk when the strap of your bag snapped, spilling your belongings in the process.

          "Shit!" You quickly kneeled down to pick up your things. You glanced around to see if you missed anything when they caught your eye - your earbud case, and it somehow managed to slide far into the alleyway next to you. You considered leaving them. You'd watched too many true crime documentaries to voluntarily stroll into a dark alleyway in the middle of the night. But then again, those earbuds were expensive! And in your city, they would definitely end up stolen when you returned to this alley the next day.

          With your heart pounding, you made up your mind. Screw it, you thought. You'd make it quick. You quickly looked around before stepping into the alley and jogging to your earbuds. You turned to check the alley entrance again, breathing a relieved sigh when it was clear. You bent over to grab your earbuds. And then, out of the corner of your eye, you saw it.

          Looking to the side, underneath the dumpster beside you, there was a body.

          You let out a yelp and jumped back, tripping over yourself and falling backward. You scrambled to get to your feet. Panicking, your breath became ragged. You fumbled for your phone, mis-dialing twice before reaching 911. You found yourself fighting the urge to vomit as the phone rang. You only got a quick look, but you could recall the lifeless terror in its eyes, the blood spilling from its body.

          Yep, you were vomiting.

          You braced your hands against the alley wall as you emptied your stomach onto the ground in front of you. When you finished and pulled yourself together, you brought the phone to your ear, and the confused voice of the operator filled your head. With a shaky voice, you managed to tell him the situation. The operator dispatched officers to your location, promising they'd be there quickly, then disconnecting the call.

          You straighten up, taking deep breaths to try to calm down. You had just about stabilized yourself when you felt a presence behind you - a warm breath against the back of your neck. You froze. Adrenaline coursing through your veins, you whipped around, expecting to come face-to-face with whoever had left that body under the dumpster. But...there was nothing. Nothing except the empty, mocking mouth of the alleyway. "What the fuck," you whispered. You were certain that there had been someone behind you. The thought was driven to the back of your mind as red and blue lights began to flash on the street. You sighed in relief. You took one more look around the alley and then made your way out to give the police your statement.