THE MOMENT
"Another killer day...," Wayne chuckled to himself as he took a seat on the empty subway. It was late, and he was glad there was no one else around as the train started moving again. Wayne was headed home after his side hustle, which was another few hours of hard work after his regular job. The last thing he wanted in that moment was to even think of another person. He sold insurance by day and his evening passion was just as people-focused. Any time he met someone, he always felt he had to turn his charm 'on', regardless of the situation. It was hard to tell when a stranger might show up at either of his jobs down the line and it was best to leave them with a good impression.
He was in full relaxation mode, replaying the last few moments of his most recent encounter. It was worth it to improve his performance for future occasions; and, the memories made him smile. He felt the train stop and he hoped beyond hope that no one boarded. His prayer was ignored as a young woman with a purple fauxhawk and black leather duster walked on; Wayne looked at the floor in front of him instantly. Hair like that wasn't easily forgotten. As he begged the universe to have her sit somewhere else, he saw her feet walk into view without hearing a single footstep. She stopped in front of him, turned toward him, then she sat down. Wayne panicked and forced himself to look up to meet her eyes; he thought it would have been stranger not to. Except, when he looked up her eyes were already on him.
"Hey," she gave the flat greeting. "Nice night."
"Yeah, it is," Wayne nodded. She seemed friendly enough and he relaxed somewhat. Her wanted poster was plastered everywhere; but, Wayne knew that Serial Killers didn't kill everyone they met. And, it didn't look like she recognized him from anywhere either. A small part of him was thrilled she was there; it meant he had a story to tell later. He was already wondering who to tell first about spotting the killer on the same side of town as his last appointment.
"Do I look familiar to you?" she asked suddenly.
"What?" Wayne was lost in his own thoughts and did actually miss the question. He looked up at the young woman again.
"I asked if I look familiar to you," she said. She slid closer and hunched forward to gesture at her face. It was then that Wayne noticed the large brown tarantula tattooed on the front of her neck and collarbone. "I'm asking because you look familiar to me," she added.
"No, no," Wayne shook his head to make the lie more convincing. "I can't say I know who you are," he said.
"Now I got it," she smiled and stood to take a step closer to him. She approached with an outstretched hand and Wayne didn't want to find out what happened if he didn't take it. "I'm J.J.," she said as they shook hands. "I was on the team that you hired to clean out the safe at that insurance place," she said. Wayne's eyes went wide as he tried to shush her while looking both ways up and down the empty car.
"Oh relax, no one's around," J.J. giggled. Luckily, she returned to her seat. Unfortunately, her seat was still directly in front of him. "I'm kind of looking for work; but, the heat's a little too focused on me right now," she shrugged. "No idea why."
"You're wanted for murder," Wayne said. He didn't have a plan; but, it sounded like she really didn't know why she was drawing extra attention. If he played his cards right, he could work the situation in his favor.
"Murder? I'm a thief, I didn't kill anyone!" J.J. replied.
"Really?" Wayne asked. "I can help you; but, you gotta be honest with me. Did you kill anyone?" Their previous meeting was starting to work in his favor. She knew what kind of resources he had access to and hopefully, she trusted him.
"No!" J.J. replied.
"Okay, I believe you," Wayne said. "Here's what we're going to do. I have a friend on the force we can trust-," *BEEP* *BEEP*
"Arrggghhh," J.J. grumbled the instant she beeped and interrupted Wayne's explanation. Before he could process the interruption a red door materialized in the subway between them. "If I'd known all my game time was going to be interrupted I wouldn't have signed up...," she whined as she stood from her seat.
"What the hell's going on?" Wayne asked. He was miffed by the interruption; but, the mystery door demanded an explanation.
"Awww, you wouldn't get it," J.J. shrugged, then she tossed something at Wayne. "Here, catch," she said.
"What the- AH!" Wayne caught the object; the black crystalline spider bit his hand instantly. He managed to fling it off; but, the damage was done. He could feel a slow, viscous burn radiating out from the bite; his mind started to grow foggy.
"I know you're the real killer, I know you framed me," J.J. sighed. "It was supposed to be a fun quest, but I always get interrupted before I get to the good ending where you turn yourself in. At least, I get credit for killing you too," She opened the red door and walked into it. Wayne heard her last sentence before the door closed and everything went black. "I'm not gonna try to be good anymore; I can get the exact same rewards with less effort."