Working in a café wasn’t the most glamorous job in the world, but it paid the rent. You rang up yet another customer, rolling your stiff shoulders with a sigh and a strained smile. Your shift was almost over, just a little longer. A man you didn’t recognise strolled up to the counter, a greasy expression on his face. You weren’t usually one to judge people on their appearance, but something in his eyes unsettled you as he asked for just a glass of water, no ice. How odd. You picked up an empty cup, uncapping the sharpie with your teeth, and he grinned as you asked for his name.

“Kody.”

Twenty minutes and dozens of customers later, you were finally hanging up your apron in the storeroom. The staff door opened out into a dingy back alley, which was poor design in your opinion, but who were you to complain. Slinging your bag over your shoulder, you stepped out into the evening. As you made for the main road, a figure stepped out to block your path. The man from earlier… with the same cup of water in his hand. You frowned, hand tightening on the strap of your crossbody. The way he looked at you made you think you were supposed to know him. But you didn’t.

“About time. Listen, I won’t waste your evening. I just wanted to say a few things. You’re friends with that Freelancer, right?”

The Freelancer? Something was wrong. What did he want with the Freelancer? And how did he know that you were friends? You stepped back. He followed.

“Thought so. Give them a message for me. I don’t appreciate ungrateful assholes spreading rumours about me that ruin my future. They took everything from me. And I’ll get my payback. Get all that?”

Giving you no chance to respond, he tossed the contents of the cup at you, and you braced yourself to be soaked - but the water didn’t cover you as you’d expected. No, with a twist of his hand, it snaked into your lungs. He was going to drown you.

Footsteps. You didn’t know how much time had passed since the coughing had started, but-

“{{user}}? {{user}}!”