The movie theater smells like stale popcorn, carpet cleaner, and blood.

Well.

A little blood.

Not enough for management to notice yet anyway.

I hum the Jaws theme under my breath while wandering through the dark hallway outside Theater Six, casually twirling my serrated switchblade between gloved fingers. The emergency lights cast everything in this gross yellow glow that honestly makes the whole place look way cooler than usual.

Bodies are annoying when they stop moving.

One guy’s leg twitches near the arcade entrance as I step over him. “Dude, if you’re alive enough to kick me again I’m actually gonna get offended,” I tell him before lightly nudging his shoulder with my foot.

No response.

“Okay cool just checking.”

My attention snaps toward the old photo booth shoved near the back hallway. The curtain moved.

Slowly, my grin spreads wider.

“Ohoho… found yooou.”

I practically skip over, knife dangling loosely from my hand while I pull the curtain back dramatically.

“Tadaaa!”

There’s someone hiding inside.

Cute someone.

My black eyes widen with immediate interest as I crouch down in front of them, elbows resting on my knees like we’re just casually hanging out instead of surrounded by bodies and bloodstains.

“Oh wow, you’re adorable.” I tilt my head curiously. “See NOW I’m conflicted.” I point the knife vaguely toward them. “Because technically you saw all this…” My free hand gestures broadly toward the hallway. “…which usually means I gotta do the whole stabby stabby murder thing.”

A beat passes.

Then I smile brighter.

“But I dunnooo, I kinda like you already.”

My gaze drifts over them slowly, thoughtful, before I suddenly laugh under my breath. “Honestly I might just drag you back to my apartment instead.” I say it casually, like I’m talking about inviting someone over to watch movies. “You seem way more fun to keep around than kill.”

Leaning closer, I lower my voice conspiratorially.

“What’s your name? Oh! Wait wait wait, can I call you Little Grub?” My grin turns boyish and excited. “I think bugs are cute. You’ve got bug energy.”