(Y/n) didn't know what she'd been expecting when the man first entered the coffee shop, but him quietly eating and then leaving peacefully wasn't it. Even now that he was gone, she could still feel the unease crawling over her skin and the ominous feeling brewing inside of her at the thought of his grin.

It wasn't the smile of someone warm and naturally friendly. It was the kind that stretched thin over his lips and showed all his teeth, that reminded her more of a Cheshire Cat than a man. That didn't reach his eyes and made her stomach churn.

Honestly, she prayed she'd never cross his path ever again. But unfortunately for her, (Y/n) was going to see Artty again very soon.

"Okay, I'll be going now. Are you still okay with closing the shop on your own?" Lupita asked, putting on her black leather jacket. "If not, we can do it together and then go grocery shopping, it's really-"

"No, it's fine." (Y/n) said with a small smile. As much as she was tempted to take Lupita up on her offer, she knew they'd be more efficient if they split the tasks, and the sooner they were both done the quicker they could go home and rest. Honestly, this was all (Y/n) needed and all it took for her to go along with their original plan, the prospect of enjoying a warm meal with her girlfriend and then cuddling in bed. "I promise."

Lupita lingered by the front door, pondering over their options before finally giving (Y/n) a quick nod.

"Alright, I'll make sure to be quick." She said with a soft smile, stepping over to (Y/n) and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Wait for me and we'll go home together. I don't want you roaming the streets on your own at this hour."

(Y/n)'s eyes flitted over to one of the windows, the sun had set an hour ago, leaving place to heavy brooding clouds and an all-consuming darkness. It went without saying that she wasn't really keen on the idea of stepping out there on her own either. And her apprehensions had very little to do with the seemingly fast approaching thunder.

"Neither do I." She said with a nervous chuckle and Lupita offered her a compassionate look. "Do you think you could buy an umbrella too? I don't think we've got one here."

"Yes, I will." Lupita answered, and that was the last words she spoke before she stepped outside of the shop and (Y/n) lost sight of her.

Now that it was only her in the shop, (Y/n) slumped over the counter, holding her head in her hands and heaving an exhausted sigh, the accumulated tension in her shoulders finally easing up. She really couldn't wait to be back home and put an end to this excruciatingly long day. It wouldn't put an end to her overthinking and anxiety, but it would at least grant her some peace and much needed rest.

Come on, (Y/n). Let's get this over with.

Fortunately, she didn't have much left to do before closing the shop. She had already sweeped and mopped the floors after Artty had left and had done the dishes. So all she needed to do now was close the cash register, put the chairs over the tables, put the baked goods away and close the front door. If she was fast enough, she'd probably be done with it way before Lupita came back.

But in the middle of her closing the cash register session, the front door's bell chimed.

(Y/n) whipped her head towards the door, her heart plummeting down to the pit of her stomach at the sight of the same man who had left an hour ago. Much like before, his lips were stretched in an unsettling grin.

(Y/n) wanted to jump out of her skin and run. But something about the way he looked at her, pinning her down like she was nothing more than a thing made for his amusement, made it impossible for her to move. And in this moment, she felt eerily similar to the butterflies Grey liked to keep and frame above her bed, their wings fixed in place by pointed needles.

Fuck.

She had no idea why he had come back, but she knew it couldn't be good.

"Did you forget something?" She asked, trying to keep her voice level and her tone even as to not betray the fear brewing just beneath her skin. Unfortunately, Artty's eyes fell to her trembling fingers, still holding the register's keys.

He chuckled, like her fear of him was the funniest thing, like there was a sick enjoyment in seeing her cower before him-

Oh.

Oh.

That's when it crossed (Y/n), a realization that trapped the air in her lungs.

The man standing in front of her wasn't just any Infected. No, he was the worst kind, the most terrifying an Uninfected could ever be face to face with. He was a Sadistic. This was made abundantly clear by his reactions to her instincts kicking in.

In his eyes, she was the perfect prey, the kind that was hyper aware of just how much of a threat he posed. And to him, this only made things that much more enjoyable, a sick kind of ego boost injected by her acknowledgement of the power he had over her.

Artty stopped right in front of the cash register, the same imperturbable smile on his lips as he plunged his gaze in hers.

"Yes, I'm afraid I forgot my wallet at my table." He said, and his voice made every hair on (Y/n)'s skin rise.

Before she could answer he was already turning on his heels and strolling over to the table he had been sitting at just an hour ago, light and agile on his legs like a panther. The comparison had a shudder wracking through (Y/n)'s system.

Still, Artty gave no further sign of being interested in her, seemingly truly searching for his wallet on the ground and around the table.

Okay, he's just here for his wallet. He's just here for his wallet. (Y/n) closed her eyes, giving a quiet sigh to ease the tangled nerves in her stomach. She could spare two minutes to let a poor man find his wallet, right?

"Found it!" He exclaimed, standing up and holding his wallet up in the air triumphantly. "I knew I had lost it here."

Of course he did, he had left it here on purpose, just so that he could see (Y/n) again and have some more fun with her before going back home. And originally he had only planned on giving her a brief visit and then leaving.

But something about her fear gave him a pause.

"Perfect. Now I'll ask you to leave, please. We're closed." (Y/n) said, desperately trying to keep the tremble in her voice at bay.

But it was useless, Sadistics were living fear detectors and Artty could taste (Y/n)'s from a mile away, thick and sweet on his tongue. So palpable, shivers of pleasure coursed up his spine at the smell of it. (Y/n) wasn't scared of him like others were, like society was. She wasn't scared of him like he was simply unhinged and disgusting for his sadism. No, she was scared of him like her life actually depended on it.

It was... exhilarating. And suddenly, Artty wasn't so sure he wanted to leave anymore. There was just something addictive about the way (Y/n)'s fear pulled him in, the way it wrapped around him and coated every one of his senses in a thick layer.

He hummed, closing his eyes and tilting his head to the side, leaning into the feeling and palpable anxiety pulsing through (Y/n)'s veins.

Penelope would hate what he was about to do. She would hate it with a burning passion. And in Artty's mind, that made his next actions all the more valuable.

"Excuse me-"

(Y/n) didn't have time to finish her sentence before the air was strongly pushed out of her lungs, her back harshly meeting the wall behind her. Or was it the floor? She couldn't really tell, the world tilting off its axis in a blur of colours and sounds as pain radiated through her head. But judging by the turned off light bulbs dangling above her head she must have landed on the floor.

"Sorry, did it hurt?" He asked, intrigue and amusement laced in equal parts in his voice. "I really didn't mean to trip you up like that." The man above her apologised, extending his hand out to her. But there was no hint of sympathy in his voice, no hint of regret or guilt.

No, he looked awfully pleased with himself.

What the hell is wrong with this guy?! (Y/n) thought, hoisting herself up on her hands before standing up by herself. She was pretty sure this hadn't been an accident, in fact she could swear he had swept her off her feet, quite literally.

What was she supposed to do now? Scream? Run? Fight? (Y/n) didn't know much about Sadistics, but she knew they thrived off of fear and pain. If she gave this man any sign that what he had done had set her off in any way, that would only trigger his sadism and push him to torment her further.

Breathe. (Y/n), breathe.

So with great difficulty and relative success, (Y/n) steeled her spine and met his gaze with made up assurance.

"I'm fine." She said, "Is there anything else I can-"

Once again she couldn't finish her sentence, the words dying in her throat as she met the floor. The hot metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, sharp blinding pain slashing through her senses as her teeth sunk in her tongue on impact.

She grunted, trying to get herself up on her elbows, only to be slammed back down by a foot on her chest, the man above her grinning from ear to ear.

This was bad. Very bad.

Cold dread etched its claws through (Y/n)'s core, all the alarms ringing in her head for her to run. But she couldn't, not with the man's foot pushing her down on the floor, barely giving her room to breathe. There was no way she could fight him either, not like this anyway, his Infected strength giving him the advantage by a landslide.

"Oopsie!" Artty exclaimed, bringing his hand to his mouth in a faux display of guilt and concern. "I'm really sorry. Guess I'm just very clumsy today. Here, take my hand, I'll help you up."

(Y/n) scrutinised him silently, looking for any traces of an escape from this situation, her eyes slowly falling to her right hand on the floor. Still holding the keys to the cash register, their metallic edge catching the ominous light of the moon outside. This was a terrible idea, but it's not like (Y/n) had any other option.

Her fingers tightened their hold on the keys.

"What? Don't you want to get off the floor?" Artty asked with an amused lilt to his voice, taunting her.

(Y/n) didn't bother answering his question though, hoisting her arm up and plunging the sharp pointed key in his thigh with as much strength as she could muster. The effect was instant, a sharp hiss filled her ears and Artty flinched, reflexively pulling his leg back. Giving (Y/n) just enough time and space for her to hastily crawl away from him and stand back up on her feet.

The relief was short lived though, searing pain spreading over her scalp as Artty grabbed her by the hair and tugged her back towards him, uncaring for her cries. Hot tears gathered in her eyes, blurring her vision.

"Where do you think you're going, little mouse?" Artty chuckled behind her, his previous playful tone tainted by irritation. It was clear he hadn't liked her little act of rebellion. "We're not done here."

"Let me go!" (Y/n) screamed, hands trying to pry Artty's off of her hair by scratching and digging her nails deep into his skin. But fighting against him was useless. He overpowered her with ease, taking a hold of her arm and throwing her against the wall like a rag doll, (Y/n) falling in a heap on the floor.

She couldn't stand up, her limbs too heavy and too painful. Her eyes strayed to her left ankle that lay on the floor twisted at an unnatural angle. She couldn't run anymore, and had nowhere to go as Artty leisurely stalked over to her.

Despair churned in her stomach as he stopped right in front of her.

"I said, we're not done here." He repeated, towering over her.

Tears ran down her cheeks freely now, their salty taste mixing with the blood in her mouth. Was this how she was going to die? Was this really it? What had she done to deserve this?

"What-what do you want?" She asked desperately, voice breaking in the middle.

"You know, I thought you'd put up more of a fight." Artty said with a thoughtful expression, squatting down in front of her to take in her tear stricken face. "But turns out you're really weak."

(Y/n) shot him a glare, which only tore another haunting chuckle from him.

"Aw, you're no fun, (Y/n)." He said, patting her on the shoulder. She flinched at the touch, recoiling into herself. But it was no use, Artty still tightened his grip until pain shot through her shoulder from the pressure. "But I have to admit," He leaned in, his face so close she could feel his hot breath on her features. "Your fear tastes incredible."

"Why are you doing this?" (Y/n) insisted, glaring up at him with all the defiance she could muster. But it was useless, she knew it. Artty could feel her fear regardless.

"I don't think you're in a position to ask questions, sugar." He said in a syrupy sweet tone that dripped of condescension. "Now, beg me not to hurt you."

(Y/n) froze, eyes landing to his hand still on her shoulder, dread washing over her as his words sunk in. And although (Y/n) hated begging, it turned out that when her life was on the line, pleading came easy to her.

"Please, you don't have to do this. I don't know what you want but-"

Artty shook his head in disapproval and heaved a bored sigh, placing his other hand on (Y/n)'s mouth to silence her. Pleasure swirled inside of his chest at the sight of the palpable terror in (e/c) eyes.

"I'm sorry, sugar." He started, "But you'll have to do better than that."

Artty gave no warning as he stepped on (Y/n)'s broken ankle, tearing yet another blood curdling scream from her, the pain so blinding it obliterated everything else. She kicked and punched and scratched, but nothing worked, if anything it only motivated Artty to slap her, the warm sting of his hand remaining long after the impact.

"Wanna try again?" Artty asked, satisfied when only cries and sobs tore from (Y/n)'s throat, too overwhelmed by the pain radiating off her ankle for her to answer. "Guess not."

(Y/n) couldn't remember what he did next, only the all-consuming, blinding pain that consumed every fibre of her being, only the burn in her throat as she screamed and screamed again. Until eventually she couldn't take it anymore, and everything went dark.

The last thing she heard being Tobias's voice.