Penny For Your Thoughts

You never really think about when or how you’ll die. Sure, you might joke about it, but you never really sit down and think about it. I currently am doing just that, not that I planned on it, but things change. Tonight, is my unlucky night to have ran into a serial killer of all people. I’m usually so careful about my surrounding but I was just so tired from work that I just wanted to get home. Even now as I watched him walk through my apartment, I was so exhausted, I just wanted to sleep.

“This is a pretty small place you have here.” The masked killer commented.

“Well, I’m sorry its not to your liking, in my next life I’ll be sure to upgrade my lifestyle for you.” Okay probably wasn’t smart saying that to him.

He belted out a laugh which made me uneasy.

“No need, I like this apartment. It has character.” He trailed his glove covered fingers through my belongings. My eyes growing heavy, so I decided to make myself more comfortable on my couch. My movement alerting him.

“Am I boring you?” A hint of amusement in his voice.

“No but my death is inevitable and I’m fuckin tired so while you’re on your little tour I’m going to sleep. Wake me up when its time or don’t. I really don’t care at this point.” Okay I must really be tired or crazy talking to a serial killer like this.

“Penny for your thoughts?” He sat on the edge of the coffee table, learning close to me.

“Yeah, sure.” I let out a laugh.

“I’m serious, what’s on your mind?” He sat his knife that I hadn’t seen until now next to him.

Letting out a sigh and running my fingers over my face I sat up, my knees touching his as I looked at him. Still wearing the mask.

“My job sucks and my boss is a massive creep who gropes me every second he gets. I’ve complained about it to several people and talked to HR but since his Daddy owns the company, they’re not going to do a thing about it.

“Why don’t you quit?” Fair question.

“Because he threatened to blacklist me to any other company, and I love what I do its just working here… I’m trapped. He won’t let me leave.”

“You could get a different type of job.” I looked at him as he said that.

“So, I let him win, I went to school for this. Now I just get a regular nine to five.” I was angry now

“Well, what do you want to do then?” Why was he asking me that?

“What does it matter, aren’t you going to kill me anyways?” Why was he taking forever to just kill me?

“Hypothetically what would you want?” He asked again.

“I’m good at my job, real good and I just want to be given a chance to show that. I want my boss to leave me the fuck alone and to stop thinking its okay for him to touch me or anyone for that matter. I want to not have to be dead tired and get only three hours of sleep because I have to stay late to work on other employees’ projects because it’s a fuckin boys club that I work for.” I felt some relief finally getting that all off my chest.

“Anything else?” He asked again this time his voice sounding sad for some reason.

“I don’t want to die.” I single tear fell from my eyes.

“Sleep, I’ll wake you up when its time.” I didn’t argue with him. I laid down on the couch as he covered me up with a throw blanket, I had on it.

I woke up to my alarm on my phone going off, groaning I made my way to the bathroom jumping in the shower. I was halfway done when I realized what had happened the night before. The serial killer, I was still alive…. why? None of this made sense, I should be dead…. right? Wait, am I dead? After getting dressed I made myself a massive cup of coffee. My nerves were everywhere. She I go in or call out? I jumped at the sound of my phone ringing.

“He…hello?” Get it together.

“Hi, I’m looking for a Ms. Greene?” The woman’s voice was soft and welcoming.

“Uh hi, yes this is she… I’m her.” Oh God what is wrong with me.”

“Hello Ms. Greene, I’m calling on behalf of my employer Mr. Robert Grant. He’s well aware that you’re employed with Fielding Enterprise but is willing to offer you twice your current pay plus a sign on bonus with full benefits and weekends off.” My mouth fell open

“Why would he do that without meeting me?” Fair question to ask.

“Mr. Grant has actually been looking into your work for a bit of time now and is very impressed with the projects you’ve been handling at Fielding Enterprise. He knows talent when he sees it and he sees great potential in you. That is if you had the right environment to grow in. Are you interested in his offer?” She asked and I was being confused and excited. I’ve heard of Grant Holdings; they were at the top of anyone’s list to work for, but I never even applied because I figured they were out of my league.

“Yes… yes I’m interested.” I shout without hesitation.

“Great, we’ll be expecting you in an hour to sign paperwork.” We said our goodbyes and I hurried to grab a lyft. On my way I received a phone call from my soon to be old boss Andrew Fielding’s secretary.

“Where are you, Andrew has been in an accident, and you need to file some projects on your desk. Don’t make me write you up.” I never liked her, she was shrill and just as vulgar as Andrew was.

“I quit.” Those were the only words I said to her before I hung up and blocked her number.

I sat patiently and nervously in Mr. Grants office waiting for him. Maybe this was all a joke, was Andrew behind this? Great did I just quit and have no job at all now?

“Terrible news about Andrew, your old boss. I just heard.” Mr. Grant come in finally sitting in his chair.

“I just heard as well, not sure what kind of accident though?” I must admit I was kind of curious.

“Well looks like all his inappropriate and unwanted touching finally caught up with him.” I looked at him confused.

“Excuse my frankness but someone cut his dick off. That’s what he gets for not taking no for an answer. Deserved it if you asked me.” I was shocked at his honesty, but I was glad that it happened to Andrew at the same time.

“Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy.” I smiled.

“Couldn’t agree more. So, my offer, do you accept it?” Mr. Grant asked back to business.

“Just one question, why me?” I asked.

“Everyone needs a break now and then, this is yours.” He hands me the paperwork which I signed and got copies of. I would start first thing Monday morning giving me a whole week to rest before I started. I couldn’t wait. I thanked him and he walked me to the elevators.

“One more thing Ms. Greene.” He said putting something in my hand.

Opening my hand I noticed a shiny new penny, confused I looked up at him.

“Penny for your thoughts.” He winked and the realization hit me as the elevator doors closed. He was my serial killer