Chapter Text
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2019, May 4th, 15:52, L.A, America
Alfred gaped at the doctor, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What?!" he exclaimed. "How is that possible? I thought it was impossible to recover from something like what I had!"
The doctor's smile was strained, not reaching his eyes. "Truly, it is a Christmas miracle, Mr. Jones," he said. "But now, would you like to hear the bad news?" Alfred's smile faded, replaced by a growing sense of unease. "There's always a catch, isn't there?" he muttered under his breath. "Alright, dude. What's the damage?"
With a sigh, the doctor glanced up from his clipboard. "You see, one of the other victims, Kimberly Jenkins, is demanding compensation and threatening to sue," he began. Alfred's brow furrowed in confusion. "Okay, and? I fully support suing that man who tried to kill me," he replied. The doctor's gaze met Alfred's, and his voice turned somber.
"She's threatening to sue you."
Alfred's jaw dropped. "Wait—what?" he exclaimed, disbelief and anger coursing through his veins. "Why the hell would she try to sue me? I didn't do anything! I wasn't the one trying to kill her! Damn it, I'm a victim just like her!”
Just then, the hospital room door swung open, and a police officer stepped inside. The officer approached Alfred's bed, a pair of handcuffs dangling from her grip.
"What's happening?!" Alfred's voice rose in panic as the officer fastened the cold metal around his wrists and secured the other end to a pole on the side of the bed.
"Mr. Jones, you are under arrest for conspiracy, assault, and third-degree murder," the officer said, her voice stern and unwavering. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you."
Alfred's mind reeled; disbelief mixed with a simmering anger. He glanced toward the door where Kimberly Jenkins stood, her eyes filled with accusation. "I tell ya,"She sneered. "This man was whispering with the robber the whole frickin' time! there's nah effing way he wasn't one of those fudgin' criminals!"
Alfred's eyes rolled in frustration. He had been on the other side of the bank, for crying out loud. How the hell could he have done anything? And in the end, he was literally pushed out of the fucking windows! For god’s sake, he was also being threatened by another robber, who was whispering obscenities in his ear... wait. Fuck. Oh gods, is that how they got the idea? Shit, how are the cops in America so dumb?
—
2019, May 23rd, 12:58, L.A, America
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, based on your deliberations, we have found the defendant guilty of bank robbery. In light of the evidence presented and recognizing the severity of the offense and the consequences it had on the affected parties, the court has determined that a significant fine is warranted. Therefore, the defendant is ordered to pay a fine of $50,000, as restitution for the damage caused and as a deterrent for such criminal behavior. This substantial fine is intended to reflect the gravity of the offense and to serve as a form of punishment for the defendant's actions."
—
17:44
...Fucking shit. Alfred stood there, staring at the court document in disbelief. How was he supposed to pay off something like that? He had been struggling with student debts, and now he was burdened with a hefty fine for a crime he didn't even commit. This must be a fucking dream-
Lost in his thoughts, Alfred failed to notice the metal beam inching closer until he smacked head-first into it. He stumbled backward, groaning while rubbing his forehead. "Okay, so not a dream," he muttered, his frustration mounting.
As Alfred examined the pole he walked into, a flyer caught his eye. I advertised a babysitting job with the words, ‘PAYS WELL’.
Alfred weighed his options. The flyer seemed pretty legit, and if it was a trap and the person who put this flyer up was actually a serial killer, that might be better than living his now broke college life.
Alfred tore off one of the pieces of paper, tucking it into his pocket and walked off. Into another pole.
Looking up at the pinkish orange sky, Alfred let out a sigh of resignation.
"Thanks a lot, big man," he muttered sarcastically.
—
2019, May 24th, 9:10, L.A, America
Alfred smoothed out the front of his tight turtleneck and readjusted his bomber jacket as he stopped in front of the largest mansion he had seen in his entire life- was that a diamond on the doors? He peered down at the small, pitiful, pink piece of paper in his hands. He looked back up and took a deep breath.
As he prepared to knock, the door swung open, revealing a man with white hair and brown colored eyebrows, grey eyes, and a mustache. He wore a rather tattered military coat, which didn’t give off the best first impression.
Fuck. He was having second thoughts, and Alfred had come to recognize that his gut was never wrong. Like, literally. Over his whole life, he could remember many memories with him both trusting and not trusting his gut feeling, and where it got him. Seriously, his gut was never wrong.
...
Whatever. For the right price, he thought. For the money, he would do anything.
...
Maybe not everything.
Alfred snapped back to reality and extended his hand out for the man to shake.
The man firmly grasped Alfred's hand. "Hello, I'm here for the babysitting job," Alfred said. "Mind if I come in?" The man smiled warmly.
"Of course, of course! Please, come in," the man replied, his voice monotone and laced with a subtle Russian accent as he rolled his r's. Stepping aside, he gestured for Alfred to enter. "Thank you, Mr...?" Alfred prompted.
"Winters," Mr. Winters responded. Alfred flashed his most charming smile. "Alright, Mr. Winters. My name’s Alfred."
Alfred lingered at the doorway, maintaining his smile while Mr. Winters remained silent. The seconds stretched, and Alfred's nerves began to fray.
"So, about the job," Alfred started, his voice betraying his unease.
"You are hired," Mr. Winters interrupted, his smile unwavering.
Alfred blinked; confusion etched on his face. "W-what?" he stammered. "But I haven't done anything yet." His jaw hung open.
Mr. Winter’s chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. “My dear Alfred, I have a proposition.” Alfred didn’t like the way he said his name and started to regret his decision to come there, but god, if he wasn’t an impulsive person, then that would be the day pigs could finally fly.
Mr. Winter started walking towards some giant couches beside a coffee table. Alfred looked around as he followed. Damn, his living room’s bigger than my entire apartment.
Mr. Winter took a seat behind the coffee table as Alfred sat opposite him. “Alfred, are you currently in school?”
Alfred blinked. “Yes, actually. I’m in the University of —————.” He responded.
“Will you have time on ——— and ———?” Mr. Winters asked. Alfred blinked, and straightened up.
Huh, Alfred thought. Those days were the only days he was free. Such a funny and weird coincidence. Alfred confirmed, and Mr. Winter relaxed.
“I’ll pay you $500 for a full day of babysitting.”
HUH???
Alfred openly gaped at the peculiar man in front of him.
“I—I’m sorry Mr. Winters, but I think I misheard what you said...Mr. Winters?” He started.
“No, you did not.” Mr. Winters said, but Alfred was too busy thinking about how quickly he could pay off his fine with the money.
“As I was saying, I will pay you $500 for a full day of babysitting—” Mr. Winters continued, but Alfred had already made up his decision to accept. What kind of idiot wouldn’t accept a deal like that!?
“When do I start?” Alfred interrupted, which, wasn’t the best idea to interrupt an intimidating Russian man with alotta money, but it was either babysit and be rich, or work at KFC, and Alfred did not look forward to the latter.
Mr. Winter smiled.