Chapter Text
Branzy was so done with this stupid dead-end job. It was around 10:00 PM, and he had to walk home – the next bus was in, like, 20 minutes, and his creepy boss was getting off soon.
He shuddered at the thought of his boss. That man would stare at Branzy during his shifts, not even trying to hide his gaze. It was gross.
Earlier today, his boss had wrapped his arms around Branzys waist, he could still feel where his hands were placed.
Branzy wrapped his arms around his body, attempting to shield himself from the cold.
It did not work.
It was so dark out, he could barely see in front of him.
He was almost home…yay. The walk home included going briefly through a very rich part of town. Branzy thought it was weird how close he lived to people who didn’t worry about food every day. People who could afford to report their bosses.
He shuddered again. Totally because of the cold.
Branzy really couldn't afford a coat. Maybe, he thought, if he sucked off his boss, he would get a raise.
Just kidding, of course. Probably.
He’s just saying, if it came down to it Branzy might consider it.
Maybe…
He pulled out his phone but put it away. Way too cold. He also could not afford gloves.
It was normal to be conflicted between whether he had to be warm or get food, right?
Totally.
Blowing warm air on his hands, he kept walking. This was normal.
It was still better than listening to his parents argue. Branzy was a mistake, and he knew it; his parents had never wanted him.
Just keep walking, Branzy! You’re almost “home”...
What even was home, if you really think about it?
Freedom. That’s what home was to Branzy.
Pushing his hair out of his face, he kept walking, adjusting his uniform once more.
His uniform was black jeans and a t-shirt with a name tag on the front of it. Nothing crazy.
There was a light in front of him as a car drove past. That was new…there were almost never any cars coming down this road this late. Weird.
Branzy! Walking!
He sped along, ignoring his curious thoughts about the car.
What if it’s a mugger!?
Maybe it’s a rich guy looking to give a ride…?
He hoped that one day he could afford a car or an Uber to get home safer, one could dream.
He wished he could get a ride away from here. Somewhere where the grass was greener on the other side. Did that even make sense? Was there even a place where the grass was greener?
Spiraling, Branzy. Stop that!
He hugged his body.
Damn Canada winter.
Branzy was cold.
He would be home soon though.
After a bit of walking, Branzy entered the more dangerous part of town. More importantly, this was where his house was.
He’d gotten mugged here once. It was not fun. The guy had broken Branzy’s nose and taken what little money he had on him. It had happened around three weeks ago, but Branzy was still on his toes around here.
He was cold and hungry, but almost home.
Home, which wasn't really home if he thought about it. More a place he used to stay alive.
The snow on the sidewalk wasn’t shovelled, which made the walk through this part of town a lot harder, especially considering the fact that Branzy was not wearing boots.
The snow was wet, getting the bottom of his legs very damp and very cold, but alas, he was almost home. He had to get home.
So Branzy kept walking.
And he stayed cold and wet from the snow and the winter air. There were more car headlights coming up but that was expected. Around seven cars passed him all with incredibly bright lights, much to Branzys annoyance.
He kept walking, trudging through the snow. It was most definitely not fun.
But hey, at least Branzy could afford rent this month!
Almost home. Just a few blocks away from here.
He walked up to an alleyway and looked in quickly, checking it to see if it was safe before walking in.
Branzy darted into the alleyway and half-ran through it.
It was slower to go this way, but a whole lot safer. There was a storefront just past the alleyway Brany went into, which sold guns and had gangs hanging around there.
That was where Branzy was mugged. And in retrospect, almost shot.
Ha-ha.
Branzy! Walking!
Branzy kept walking…crazy.
The snow was as cold as ever, it was kinda slushy, too. Ew.
He pulled his arms closer to try and do something against the cold. It did nothing.
Soon he would be warm-ish. Hopefully.
He wished he’d never come out to his parents all those years ago. Maybe if he never had, he would be working above minimum wage.
Branzy had the abilities to work a much better job. He just, unfortunately, didn't have the looks. Most high-class jobs expected their employees to look the part. They wanted him in suits, and freshly cut hair; which, for interviews, Branzy could not do, as he had been working at McDonalds.
Not great money.
Branzy left the alleyway colder than he expected. The wind whipped at his face. It hurt.
He was so close to home it was almost painful.
About 5 minutes away…
His tiny apartment was something he had come to love after a while. Sure, he slept on a mattress on the floor with a fluffy blanket that he found at a thrift store, but at least it was safe.
Walking closer, he turned down an alleyway to get to his apartment.
Lying right at the entrance to the alleyway was a dead body.
Branzy froze.
It wasn't his first time seeing a dead person, but this was definitely a murder victim.
His breathing was going fast now. What does he do now? Call the cops. He should call the police.
Branzy’s hands fumbled as he reached for his phone, grabbing it and struggling to put his password in.
Then there was a knife to his throat. His eyes widened in fear.
“Don’t scream.”
Then a bag of sorts was thrown over his head and he was tossed over someone’s…shoulder?
Getting kidnapped after seeing a dead body was probably definitely not on Branzy’s bucket list.
He was thrown down onto a surface. Probably the trunk, but maybe the floor of a car?
He heard something slam shut and it suddenly got a lot darker than before.
The car – Yeah, definitely a car – started driving off.
Well…
That was unfortunate.