Hell | Sal Fisher x Reader

Chapter III: Target

[Name] enters the park with her hand still on Sal's. Her palms starts to sweat because of her bubbling anxiety, and her habit of biting her lower lip isn't helping. Her thoughts about the man earlier causes her emotions to waver. With a deep thought, she ponders about her concerns.

     'Do I know him?' She asks herself as she reevaluates the stranger's mask and other features. The man is wearing a brown, skin-like textured mask. A black hoodie worn up to his head, and red ripped jeans. It resembles what her blue-haired friend is wearing tonight and she can't help but glance at him for confirmation. Her eyes trails from his head to toe before gazing at his mask. She imagines his prosthetic mask replacing the one the stranger is wearing.

    'They look exactly alike, except Sal is wearing his usual black sweater.' She notes, scrunching her nose at the thought. 'There's no way, I can mistake that creep for him. I mean, look at him...''

    For years, Sal have grown into a fine man. His small, petite frame is now a fine, slim one. His electric blue hair is now flowing over his shoulder, but shorter than before. His mask seems to be bigger, adjusting to his adult features. Curiosity sprouts in [Name]'s mind and she couldn't help but wonder. An mature image of him flashes in her mind and it causes her to blush.

     "You alright?" Sal's deep voice catches her off-guard, making her face a brighter tint of red. Out of instinct, she covers her face with her free hand. 

     "Y-Yeah..." She is able to mumble out. Her sudden reaction causes his mask to shift. Sal smiles.

     "Look at these lovebirds!" Larry jumps from behind them, grabbing [Name]'s shoulder in surprise. This causes her to scream in response and it attracts attention from the people around them.

     "Stop teasing her, will you, Larry Face?" Sal scoffs as he loops his arm over her shoulder. "She's here to have a great time."

     "Whatever you say, Sally Face." Larry winks before he jogs off to Ashley. He loops his arm around her as they walk. Todd and Neil follow suit. [Name] removes Sal's arm over her shoulder but continues to hold his hand. A small smile forms on her lips as she witness the brunette couple before her. Sal notices this and notes its cause. A sense of jealousy enters inside him, making him frown. Parts of the past starts to haunt him.

    'The past is repeating itself.' A low yet familiar voice taunts onto his ear.

     The past is a sensitive subject and Sal tends to avoid it at most times. Tonight, he can't help but reflect about it. Jealousy, regret, and those in-between fills his mind, causing him to grit his teeth. He grasps onto [Name]'s hand tighter without noticing his strength.

     "Ouch!" She yelps, pulling away her hand from his.

     Sal snap out of his trance, his eyes wide from his action. She holds her hand close to her chest as he stares. The thought of him hurting her again starts to form a storm inside him. His mind is blank as thunders of fear booms against his chest, along with the waves of anxiety. Not knowing what to do, he opens his mouth to reason out or apologize. No words leave his mouth as he witnesses Larry approaching her. The brunet places his hand on her shoulders. His black eyes flashing with worry. "You alright, [Name] Face?"

     The woman in question nods. She glances down at her hand, then to Sal. She gives him a small smile before facing the worried brunet. They starts converse in hush voices and it didn't help with Sal's current situation. His emotions are a mess and the scene is taunting it to grow.

    'What are they talking about?' He couldn't help but wonder. His hand balls into a tight fist as frustration builds inside him. It soon vanishes as he witness his best friend bidding good-bye and giving a smile towards him. 

     Witnessing Larry as he parts from the pair, a set of eyes lands on the [Hair Color]-haired woman. The brown-masked stranger halts from his tracks as he tilts his head to observe her. Hearing her scream earlier makes him yearn for that sound once more. A hidden smile forms on his lips as excitement fills him. Ideas of making her scream pops into his head. 

     He looks at her once more and he couldn't help but admire the woman. The sight of her wearing a sophisticated black dress makes him yearn for her. It is as if the woman is taunting him to approach her and do his dirty deeds. After all, she looks ready for any of her friends' funeral.

     'I can't wait to have you.' He smirks before licking his lips. Taking a few steps close, his expression darkens. Witnessing the blue-haired male as intertwines his hand with his target, a scowl forms. "My plan will have to wait..."

     The stranger unbuckles his brown mask. He tilts it from side-to-side as he notes its details. An idea pops into his head as he remembers the male's mask.  A twisted expression plasters on his face as buckles it back. "...or not."

The Infirmary, a haunted hospital-themed bar, the group's first destination. There, they get their drinks and talk about their plans for the night. Which ride they will go, in what order, and how they'll end the night in the scariest maze in the park is discussed. A smile forms in the stranger's lips as he hears it from afar. Now, his plan with the [Hair Color]-haired woman is easier to achieve. Standing up from his seat, he decides to leave. He gives his target a last glance as he approaches the exit. To his surprise, her eyes locks with his, sending chills to the both of them. One is out of excitement while the other is out of fear. To escalate both these emotions, the stranger lifts his gloved finger and presses it on his lips. He gestures a 'shush' before leaving the bar.

     [Name]'s eyes widen in fear as she grasps onto the nearest thing she can grab for comfort—Sal's arm. The sudden act causes him to wince at her grip and suppress a yelp.

     "[Name]," Todd calls out. "You're hurting him."

     "What?" She asks, snapping out her terrified state. Her hand is still gripping on the blue-haired male.

     "Your hand?"

     "My...?" As she trails off, her eyes lands on her iron grip at Sal's arm. Realizing it, she rips her hand away. "Oh my gosh!"

     "Sal, I'm so sorry. Did it hurt?" She adds in panic.

     "It's fine," Sal replies with a gentle tone. "Did something scare you?"

     Wary fills [Name]'s orbs. She looks away from him and looks at Larry with pleading eyes. The two of them discussed about the masked stranger earlier and the brunet advised her to not tell Sal about it, for the meantime. Knowing his best friend, he will become over protective of her and may not enjoy the night. Plus, she and Sal still have a lot to talk about. She doesn't want to add this to the list of their problems.

     Sal notices her gesture, making him frown. His best friend have been taking up [Name]'s attention twice since they got here and it makes him nauseous. Excusing himself, he exits the bar to get some fresh air. Loosening his mask for a bit, he allows the cold autumn breeze to pass by. The alcohol he consumed is taking a toll on him as the nauseating feeling didn't vanish. His mind fills itself with the thoughts of [Name]. 

     He closes his eyes as a sigh escapes his lips. "I won't lose her again. I won't let the past repeat itself."

     "She's mine," A voice whispers on his ears, making him snap his eyes open. He looks around, frantic. He swings his body from left to right to find the source, only to crash onto someone's shoulder. His prosthetic mask meets with a stranger's brown one. The stranger apologizes at this before giving Sal a pat on the shoulder. He leaves with a smirk on his lips and a mental note in mind.'His mask is a perfect fit.'

     Having no idea what happened, Sal gazes at the stranger as it vanishes into the crowd. An unnerving feeling bubbles inside him. He tightens his mask before entering the bar once more. The voices inside him are here.