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I was bone tired and starving that snowy night .
The road was a treacherous white blanket and visibility was near 0 .
My hands gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white .
Relief finally washed over me when I saw the neon glow of the McDonald's sign in the snowstorm .
I pulled into the empty parking lot , parked my car , and trudged through the thick snow .
Inside , the fluorescent lights buzzed with an irritating The place was eerily deserted .
Only 2 employees worked quietly in the kitchen .
I shrugged off the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine and walked to the counter .
A young man with greasy hair hair and a vacant expression took my order , and he barely acknowledged me as he punched in my kneel .
I found a seat by the window , the snowstorm raging outside .
The heat inside made me feel slightly drowsy , but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched .
As I waited for my food , my eyes wandered to the corner of the restaurant where a clown statue stood .
It was a typical Ronald McDonald figure grinning eerily with his oversized shoes and bright red hair .
I shivered and looked away .
Minutes later , I heard a sinister laugh echo through the empty restaurant .
I jerked my head up , but the 2 employees continued working as if nothing had happened .
The laugh sounded again , this time closer , more menacing .
I rubbed my arms trying to ward off the chill that had settled over me .
The lights flickered and in the brief darkness , I saw the clown statue in a different position .
Its head tilted towards me .
My heart pounded in my chest .
Did you guys hear that ?
The employees didn't respond .
They moved mechanically almost as if they were in a trance .
I turned back to the clown but it was in its original position .
I took a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart .
My food arrived and I forced myself to eat , but the unease gnawed at me .
Halfway through my meal , I noticed written in ketchup on my tray .
Don't trust Ronald .
My blood ran cold .
I looked around but there was no 1 else in the restaurant .
The employees were still in the kitchen .
I felt a presence behind me and spun around but there was nothing there .
The lights flickered again and in the brief darkness I saw the clown figure standing in the corner watching me .
This isn't real .
It's just in my imagination .
I whispered to myself but the fear was real , tangible .
I glanced at the window and saw the clown's reflection grinning wickedly .
But when I turned to look it wasn't there .
My breathing became shallow .
I was panicking .
I had to get out of there .
I stood up , my legs trembling .
The restaurant seemed to close in on me , the air thick and oppressive .
I stumbled towards the door , but before I could reach it , the employee stepped into my path .
Are you okay , miss ?
You look like you've seen a ghost .
His eyes were dark , almost predatory .
My instincts screamed at me to run but my feet felt like stone .
He smiled but there was something off putting about his smile .
If you'd like to accompany me back to the kitchen , I might have some extra chicken burgers for you on the house .
Something about his tone , his expression sent a jolt of terror through me .
I forced myself to speak .
I don't know .
What's her name ?
Come on .
It'd be a shame to waste good burgers .
I was hungry , so reluctantly I agreed .
You're Theresa .
Right ?
I remember from the order .
Yes .
And you are ?
Ronald .
Sorry .
I forgot my tag today .
My blood turned to ice .
The message in ketchup up flashed in my mind .
I backed away shaking my head .
His smile faded replaced by a cold calculating night air night air hitting me like a slap but I didn't stop running until I reached my car .
I fumbled with the keys , my hands shaking uncontrollably .
I finally managed to unlock the door and threw myself inside locking it behind me .
I drove away as fast as the snow covered roads would allow not daring to look back .
My mind raced replaying the events in a nightmarish loop .
A week later , the news broke .
2 employees at that McDonald's had been arrested for the murder of 3 women .
Their bodies were found preserved in the freezer .
1 of the employees was named Ronald .
The news confirmed my worst fears .
I had been inches away from becoming their next victim .
I like to believe that it was the spirit of 1 of the victims which saved me that day .
Tom was always a bit off .
Working the night shift at McDonald's alongside him , I saw things others didn't .
He was quiet , always muttering to himself under his breath , eyes darting around as if he expected the walls to close in on him .
He had these weird tics , like he'd tap his fingers rhythmically on the counter , almost like Morse code or he'd suddenly start laughing at nothing .
A low creepy chuckle that sent shivers down my spine .
I often wondered what had led him to this point .
I knew his personal life was falling apart .
Parents , divorce , drug abuse , and a mountain of debt .
They lived in a constant state of stress , barely holding it together .
Still , I didn't expect things to unravel the way they did .
That night , it started like any other .
Tom was taking care of the drive thru counter .
It was around 10 when a car pulled up , music blaring , drunk passengers inside .
Welcome to McDonald's .
How can I take your order ?
Their order was a mess of slurred words and giggles .
Tom and I exchanged a look .
This was going to be a long night .
That'll be 2347 .
The driver , a guy with a baseball cap turned backwards , handed him the money , then looked at his friends and spoke something about him .
Tom kept to himself and handed them their burgers and Coke and coffee .
Hey , you got our order wrong , idiot .
Tom's eyes twitched , but he remained courteous that the order was right .
The drunk guy insisted again , and this time threw a cup of hot coffee at him .
The liquids sculpted Tom's face and he recoiled in pain , a guttural scream escaping his lips .
The car erupted in laughter and that is when something in Tom snapped .
He turned on his heel and walked out the back door .
I froze not knowing what to do .
Moments later , I heard the unmistakable clang of the tire iron .
Tom had from the maintenance shed .
He approached the car with a look of pure unadulterated rage .
What the hell , man ?
Before anyone could react , Tom swung the tire iron connecting with the windshield .
The shop driver opened his door but as soon as he walked out the iron rod met his skull .
The sickening crunch of bone echoed through the parking lot .
Blood sprayed across the side of the car as the driver slumped lifeless against it .
Panic erupted .
The second friend , a tall lanky guy tried to run from the other side .
Tom jumped over , caught him by the collar , and smashed him head first into the window .
Tom , stop .
He didn't .
He smashed the man's head in the glass again and again till the crack spread all over it .
The man fell with a bloodied face and then Tom picked the iron rod again and hit his head till it was smashed .
Tom's face was a mask of twisted satisfaction .
The 2 girls who were still in the car now attracted Tom's ire .
He opened the rear door of the car and tried to pull 1 out but she bit him and then proceeded to lock the door .
Tom picked up a brick , his eyes locking onto hers and then threw it twice at the window glass which refused to shatter .
They whimpered tears streaming down their face .
Please don't .
I wanted to run to get help but my legs felt like lead .
I dialed 911 .
Tom walked to the shed and returned with a can of gasoline which he poured over the car throwing the remaining 1 on the driver's seat .
You think you can treat people like trash and get away with it ?
He struck a match and tossed it onto the car .
Flames erupted engulfing the vehicle in a roaring inferno .
The screams from inside the car were cut short as the explosion rocked the parking lot , heat searing my skin even from a distance .
Tom , why ?
But he couldn't hear me .
Sirens wailed in the distance .
Tom dropped the tire iron and got down on his knees laughing maniacally .
The police cars soon surrounded us .
Release , release , release .
He kept on uttering as a policeman handcuffed him while the others tried saving the girls .
I just couldn't stop crying .
My mind was numb upon witnessing the horror that had transpired .
Tom kept laughing like a maniac as they put him under arrest .
The parking lot was a scene from a nightmare , bodies , blood , and the smoldering remains of the car .
I'll never forget the look in Tom's eyes .
The cold calculated fury that had driven him to madness .
It wasn't just the coffee or the insults .
No 1 truly knows what 1 goes through one's mind .
I'd always been cautious about dating apps .
But when Brock's profile popped up , there was something endearing about his awkward smile and honest bio .
We had exchanged messages for weeks , and I felt an inexplicable connection .
That's why when he asked me to dinner at McDonald's , of all places , I found it quirky rather than off putting .
I didn't know then that it would that it would be the worst night of my life .
The evening started normally .
Brock was a tall , lanky guy guy with tousled brown hair and eyes that flickered with a hint of nervous energy .
He seemed pleasant enough , but as we waited in line , I noticed him fidgeting , glancing around like a trapped animal .
I brushed it off as first aid jitters until he saw the clown .
McDonald's had a man dressed as their mascot , Ronald McDonald , moving from table to table , greeting families .
The moment Brock's eyes landed on him , his entire demeanor changed .
He went pale and his breathing became rapid and shallow .
Are you okay , Brock ?
That clown , why did they have moving mascots ?
I I didn't understand what he meant , but I tried to calm him down .
We took our seats , but his eyes never left the clown .
He barely touched his food , mumbling under his breath , his hands trembling .
I could see sweat beads forming on his forehead .
Rock , talk to me .
What's going on ?
He's watching us , Lisa .
He's here to get you .
I have to protect you .
You were kidding .
Right ?
1 of them had me as a child .
Never again .
No .
I thought he was joking , but his voice had a desperate edge .
When the clown approached our table , Brock's reaction was immediate and terrifying .
He lunged across the table , knocking our trays to the floor and grabbed a metal tray stand .
Stay away from her .
The clown bewildered took a step back but it was too late .
Broc swung the tray stand with all of his might striking the man in the head .
Thud .
The clown cried in pain , people screamed and parents shielded their children's eyes , but Broc didn't stop .
That is when I knew that there was something wrong in his head .
Broc , stop .
Please .
He didn't hear me .
Blood poured from the clown's head as he collapsed to the floor but Brok kept hitting him , each blow more savage than the last .
I could see the life draining from the man's eyes and it was horrific .
People tried to intervene but Brock turned on them swinging wildly .
He grabbed a chair and smashed it over a man's back , kicked a woman who tried to pull him away , and even threw scalding hot coffee at a bystander .
2 men grabbed him from behind and offered momentary respite to the clown but Brock was strong .
He pushed his weight on 1 man and crashed him into the wall , setting himself free .
They then punched the other guy in the face knocking him out cold .
Then he looked at the bleeding clown and lunged at him sitting atop his chest and hammering punches on the poor man's face again and again .
You You're hurting people .
I tried to pull him back but his strength in that moment was monstrous .
He shoved me away and I hit the ground hard , my head snapping back .
Pain exploded in my skull and I felt a warm trickle of blood down my neck .
I knew I had to call for help .
My vision blurred as I fumbled for my phone , dialing 911 with trembling fingers .
I didn't really hear what the operator said .
I watched Brock continue his rampage .
He had grabbed a knife and was stabbing the clown's lifeless eyes while yelling out loud .
It was beyond gruesome .
It was a nightmare come to life .
I could hear sirens in the distance , but it felt like they were taking forever .
When the police burst in Brock was still in his frenzy .
They shouted at him to drop his weapon but he didn't listen .
It took several officers to subdue him , wrestle him to the ground as he screamed about the clown coming for us .
They had to tase him twice before he finally fell down .
The aftermath was a blur of flashing lights , paramedics , and police questions .
Newspapers later reported that Brock had been diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child .
He had a profound fear of clowns stemming from a traumatic incident .
The stress of our date and then unexpectedly seeing the mascot there must have triggered a severe psychotic episode .
This was without a doubt the worst first date anyone had ever been to in her life .