Chapter Text
The words start to blur together on the screen, and Dwight knows its about time to take a quick break. He still had a few more pages to go through so maybe he could tough it out., John had dropped him with a draft that was more of an outline than an professional rough draft that was expected of a reporter.. To be fair most people gave him skeleton drafts to edit for the site and paper rather than actual articles. Maybe if he was less of a pushover he wouldn't be writing half the-
"You gonna be okay, Fairfield?"
He jumps, spining in his chair and looking up at Jed with a suprised look.
"Oh shi- shoot. Didn't mean to scare you!" Jed says, with an apologetic shrug.
"It's okay! I'll be fine." Dwight replies, glancing at his watch, "You heading home?"
"Yup! Gonna leave you alone for the night, you'll be okay right?" Jed says walking towards door of their shared cubicle.
"I'll be fine, Olsen." Dwight assures, turning back towards the computer, "I'll be the only one here after all."
"But what about the....Ghostface!" Jed coos, leaning in and whispering in Dwight's ear, "What if he comes looking for ya!"
"I'll direct him to the writer of his articles instead of the editor." Dwight replies dryly, "I'm sure he'll understand."
"Will he though?" Jed whispers, voice dropping to a strange icey meneance that sends a chill down Dwight's spine.
Before Dwight can say anything he sees the head of Jed above the walls as he walks away.
"See you tomorrow Fairfield!"
"S-see you."
Jed was a new guy, just started working here four weeks ago. Had transferred from out of town to be the head writer on articles on the recent Ghostface murders. Dwight had been assigned as the editor, considering he was the senior amongst the other two. Thankfully in being transferred to the Ghostface section he was tasked with only editing Jed and a few others writers. His saving grace was that Jed actual wrote good drafts unlike his other two charges.
He adjusts his glasses and sits up. That was enough of a break, he had to get this done before going home. Dwight saves his progress and starts typing again, filling in more for John than the man had even written. Dwight takes a sip of his coffee, pondering over commas when the lights above him flicker. He looks up curiously before being plunged into darkness. Loosing all his progress.
"Oh fuck me."
The backup generators kick on after a few moments and he's bathed in dull red light. Dwight stands and looks out the nearby window, confirming that this was most likely the only building with the power out. He drops back on his seat and sighs, they were having trouble with fuses and brownouts for a while now. Figures he would be here when the things finally blew. What was he supposed to do in this situation? He was the only one left in the building, was he supposed to call someone for this? Probably. The real question was to who. Dwight picks his phone up off the table and unlocks it. He stares at the homescreen, trying to come up with manager name when the decvice starts ringing in his hands.
Uknown Number, with a 352 area code. He considers declining the call, but then again its not like he was able to work anyway. The strange area code did spark a bit of interest, probably just a wrong number. He hits accept and lifts the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" Dwight asks, leaning back in the chair and staring at the red emergency lights above him.
"Hello? Who's this?" A deep oil slick voice asks.
"I- who are you calling for?"
"Depends...who are you?"
Dwight opens his mouth to reply but finds himself unsure of what to say. He wasn't exactly comfortable with giving out a bunch of informatuon on himself to a wrong number.
"I'm sorry, that's a bit rude of me." The voice says, voice smooth and oddly soothing, "What's your name."
"I uh, have you dialed the wrong number?"
"No, I don't think so. Are you busy, Dwight? I can call back."
Did he give the man his name? He was sure he didn't. Wait the man wants to call back?
"I'm not busy! I mean I-I kinda am but not like...right now?" Dwight says, then realizes he was sitting alone in the dark and hadn't gotten that situation figured out yet.
"Oh thats good, we can talk for a bit now can't we." The voice coos, Dwight swears he can hear a smile in the voice.
"Uh, sure?" Dwight says, "Wait no I actually should be doing sonething right now."
"Don't lead me on like that, Dwight." The voice scolds playfully, "But I guess you gotta get your lights on, huh?"
Dwight stands up, angrily glaring around the offce, "Jed are you messing with me?"
Of course it was Jed, the other guys set him up to bully him. Dwight was just thinking that the man was being far to nice to him anyway. He was the doormat of the company, only a matter of time before the new guy started bullying him.
'Hmm, who's Jed? Your boyfriend?"
"Cut it out man You're going to get in a lot of trouble for messing with the fuse box."
"Dwight. I'm not fucking Jed." The voice hisses, becoming dark and monsterous so quickly it takes a moment for fear to set in. His shift is so severe Dwight pulls the phone away and looks at the device in shock.
"I'm sorry, that was mean, huh? I'm not your boy toy Dwight. I promise." The voice says, sounding smooth as silk again. It makes his stomach twist and his finger hovers over the end call button.
"I well, that's...good. Sorry for misleading you on my availability sir, but I do have a pressing issue to attend to." Dwight says carefully, putting on his best customer service voice, "You're free to call back later."
Dwight realizes that he was on his personal phone and had no obligation to let this guy- Jed, mess with him further.
"I think I will." The man says softly.
He listens to the man breathing on the phone for a moment before hanging up. Dwight sits back and let's out a sigh of relief. That was weird. He couldn't help but feel a bit dissapointed that Jed had started teasing him as well. Especially in such a weird roundabout-
"Dwight? You still here?" Jed calls from the front. He can see the vauge red outline of him making his way towards him.
Was it worth it to confront him about the call? Probably not, guy was mostly likely here to see how freaked out he was.
"Yes, I am!" He calls, deciding to pretend that call didn't happen.
"Sittin' here in the dark?" Jed asks, entering the cubicle and grabbing something off his desk, "Good thing you're here, forgot my bag!"
Dwight watches Jed pull his phone out of his bag and fiddle with it for a moment. A new sense of worry hits him, making his stomach churn.
"Uh, hey Jed..."
"Hmm?"
"What's your number?"
He watchs a smirk appear on Jed's face, the red lights reflect oddly on his round glasses and obscure his eyes.
"Oh? Its 267-" Jed starts excitedly. Dwight frowns, not paying attetion to the rest of the number. Different area code, maybe the guy who called wasn't Jed. He would look up the area code later.
"Are you gonna put it in?" Jed asks, tilting his head curiously. He can hear dissapoint in his voice.
"Huh? No. I mean yes!" Dwight grabs his phone, almost dropping it in the process, "Sorry I got a weird call a few minutes ago from a different area code and-"
"Weird how?" Jed interrupts, taking a step closer to Dwight, "What's the number?"
"Oh it was just a wrong number I guess."
Jed sidles up next to Dwight and takes his phone, looking over the number.
"That's a weird area code alright. Wonder why its calling you." Jed muses, starting to type something into Dwight's phone.
"Yeah...guy was kinda creepy. Said he was gonna call back." Dwight admits with an awkward laugh, "I'm really glad you showed up when you did!"
Jed smiles at him and passes his phone back. He looks down and notices that the man had put in his number and name, followed by a sparkly heart. The sight makes Dwight blush a bit.
"Can't let uknown numbers freak out my editor now can!" Jed teases, "Hey since the powers out lets get going. Pretend we weren't even here when the power went out!"
"Oh sure!" Dwight grabs his backpack, slinging it over one shoulder and following Jed out of the office and down the steps.
He does feel better knowing someone else was with him. Something about that call was nagging at him. How the guy seemed to know his name and where he was. Dwight types the area code into Google.
"Hey, that caller is from Florida." Dwight says, causing Jed to glance back.
"Oh really? That's where Ghostface was last." Jed muses, scratching the stubble on his chin, "What are the odds."
Dwight remains silent, turning towards the garage and digging out his keys. What...were the odds that it was...Ghostface who called him?
"Hey Dwight..." Jed says, stopping before the entrance of the parking garage, "If that guy calls again don't answer."
The genuine concern in Jed's voice made his fingertips tingle. It's not often people are worried for his well being, or for him in general. It made him very happy.
"I won't!"
Jed rests a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezes. The action calms every single nerve in Dwight's body. The man leans in a bit, entering his personal space more than a new coworker should.
"Take care of yourself." Jed says, voice barely above a whisper. The man pulls away before the moment can become awkward and waves, "See you tomorrow! Text me when you get home!"
Dwight nods in a bit of a daze and turns away. Finding his car and driving home with little fanfare. Pulling into his duplex and going through his evening motions. Stripping to casual clothes, eating a sandwhich for dinner before laying in bed. He finds his thoughts drifting to the call, and to Jed. As flattered as he was that Jed worried for him Dwight knew that if the man on the phone called again he would answer. He desperately craved conversation and attention, even if it was from a unknown number.
Speaking of he should text Jed. He grabs his phone off his nightstand and types a quick message to his coworker.
D: hey jed its dwight, i made it home safe.
The reply comes almost instantly
J: Good! You lock your doors?
That brings a small snort from Dwight. He didn't realize Jed was that paranoid. Then agaim the guy did specialize in murder journalism.
D: no i havent. guess i should huh?
J: ):
J: You worry me.
Dwight pushes himself out of bed and for the first time since he moved into his meager one bedroom home he locks his doors.
D: alright i locked my doors. Will you sleep easy now?
J: Aw, you locked them just for me? I'm flattered. (:
Dwight rolls his eyes, starting to type out a response when he receives another text from Jed.
J: Are you busy Friday?
D: no im not! Do you need me to cover a shift?
J: No, do you wanna get dinner with me?
He stares at his phone in suprise, and feels his face become hot. That was far to forward than Dwight had the stomach for. He sets the phone down and lays back in bed, deciding to respond in the morning. Or never. He was too embarassed for either really. Not like he never had a date before, but Jed was way out of his league. The phone vibrates on the nightstand and dutifully ignores it. Trying his best to sleep.