Meet ⌠BENNY HELLSTRĂM! ... He is best known for [ his height, standing at 6'4'' ] and [ that he carries a deep secret that haunts him every day, preventing him from experiencing true peace ]. What is really important to know is that [ he moved to Briar Ridge seven years ago to reunite with family and has been here ever since ].
ABUSE, DEATH, MURDER, BLOOD, ILLNESS, DRUGS TW
Benny grew up on a humble farm in Suffolk, Virginia, with his younger sister, mother, and father. It wasn't very lively, as they only had a handful of animals, their crops barren, and land unkempt. His younger years were spent walking to and from their large piece of land, trudging through unpaved roads just to get to town. His entire life was on that farm, and he never thought about anything beyond the forest that surrounded them.
The only version of his father that Benny knew was the distant drunk who couldn't bear to spend any real time with his own family. Hank Parker was always off doing his own thing, known to never be without a beer in his hand, mumbling things to himself whenever he thought no one was around. Benny learned very quickly to steer clear of his father and to never bother him. He was always a better father when he wasn't in the room.
In the summer of 1999, Benny discovered he had more familyâ most importantly, cousins. Learning this marked a pivotal shift within him, the void inside him filling the more he was around them. They played games on the farm, hiding in spaces Benny never thought he'd be playing in. It was the first time he felt happy in their home of a wasteland. What he failed to realize, however, was the absolute torment his father had stirred within him.
The Parker brothers' relationship could be described as a one-sided rivalry, which greatly influenced Hank's life. It seemed as though every decision he made was in response to his younger brother's accomplishments, even starting a family. Despite not seeing each other in over two decades, Hank was riddled with the fact that his younger brother was doing better than him. His kids had clothes on them that seemed to have been bought within the year, and it reawakened a sense of competitiveness he kept buried for a long time.
When the Parkers left, Hank changed. The awful aura around him seemed to turn up a notch, and the next four years were hell on earth for everyone. Ulla, however, had a plan. Benny is still haunted by his mother's promise, but he always believed in her, even if her promise was as ominous as "taking care of it." Unfortunately, her idea of "taking care of it" involved poisoning his food, but she didn't consider the correct dosage, and Hank woke up in a fit of rage. His zombie of a father tore through the living room to get to her, and Benny had to take matters into his own hands.
Blacking out was a new experience for Benny, happening for the first time at the age of 16. He remembers waking up, kneeling over his father's lifeless body, covered in blood. The first thing that came to mind was not the people around him or how scared his younger sister and mother might've been, but that his best friend was supposed to come over that nightâ they had planned a sleepover. In a fit of panic, Benny started to spiral until his mother gave him some money, a backpack, and an order. "You leave and never come back. I'll take care of it now, and I'm so sorry you had to do that. I'll find you when everything's done."
Benny dashed out of the house, encountering Gabe outside, who was completely oblivious to the monumental shift about to unfold in their lives. Their bond resulted in a commitment to stick together, and within a few days, they found themselves in Chicago, where they remained for the next decade.
In Chicago, Benny made a living by working in various kitchens. He began at the bottom, cleaning bathrooms and floors, and eventually progressed to washing dishes and clearing tables. It wasn't until one of the head chefs took Benny under their wing and taught him how to cookâa skill that transformed everything for him. Benny learned quickly and proficiently enough to get behind a stove, and he began to make a decent living for himself. Life started to feel stable until his mother/younger sister managed to find him.
After learning that his mother was ill, Benny decided it was time to reunite with his family. Despite the bittersweet and extremely painful decision, he had to leave Chicago behind, even if he didn't want to. He had to make it home to see her. After doing his best to tie up loose ends, Benny made his way to Briar Ridge, where he learned his younger sister and mother were staying.
Over the next seven years, Benny does his best to make Briar Ridge his home. However, the longer he stays, the more he realizes how hard it is to bear the weight of what he did while being around the ones he loves. In Chicago, he had left everything behind, and it was easier then. Now, he has to face them all, unsure if anyone knows the truth.
*character inspiration: Sirius Black (Harry Potter), Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead), Steven Hyde (That 70s Show), Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop), Patrick Verona (10 Things I Hate About You)
HEADCANNONS:
Benny has always loved reading. Escaping into books was his saving grace. He would read any genre, but you will most likely find him reading high fantasy. He is a huge nerd about kings, knights, and the like, and he even has a sword tattoo that runs down the center of his back, along with a dragon tattoo on his left thigh.
Born in Suffolk, Virginia, 1990
The Parkers visit for the first time, and Benny learns he has cousins, 1999
Benny's mother fulfills her promise and drugs her husband, but the attempt was futile, and Benny had to take matters into his own hands, 2006 (Benny flees Virginia)
Benny finds residence in Chicago for the next 11 years and leaves in 2017 after getting back in touch with his younger sister.
Seven years later, Benny is now residing in Downtown.
CORE CONNECTIONS :
BLANK HellstrĂśm (Younger Sister)âBenny had spent his entire life trying to protect his younger sister from their father. He believed that staying away for as long as he did would be better than being around, but their reunion has not gone smoothly. Now, Benny is determined to regain his sister's trust and fulfill the role of protector that he had abandoned so long ago.
Reina SatĹ (Ex-Girlfriend)âReina had been instrumental in Benny surviving his first few years in Chicago. He viewed her as his saving grace, and with her support, though she was unaware of it, he managed to escape the depths and horrors of his past. However, when he received a call from his mother about reuniting the family, Benny felt unprepared to involve Reina in his family's trauma. Without providing much explanation, he broke up with Reina and moved to Briar Ridge.
Leyla Yilmaz (ONS turned Coworker, turned Boss)âAfter Benny's first year in Briar Ridge, he unexpectedly ran into Leyla at a bar on the outskirts of town. They hit it off and ended up having a one-night stand. Although Benny promised to keep in touch, he never reached out to her. A week later, they discovered they were coworkers. Eight years later, Benny has become a father figure to Leyla's six-year-old daughter, all while carrying the weight of his true feelings for Leyla in order to maintain their current relationship.
Chicago Connectionsâ During his time in Chicago, Benny had run into Sahra Demir and Sonny Solis. He developed a close friendship with them when they worked together, separately, at different diners. Benny has yet to learn that Sonny is a lot more connected to him than he realizes.
WANTED CONNECTIONS :
YOUNGER SISTER WC Protective Older Brother Who Abandoned Little Sister đ¤ Little Sister With Abandonment Issues
BEST FRIEND WC Ride or Dies đ¤ Trauma Bond Secret đ¤ Resentment?
Everything Goes (Regulars, Order Gone Wrong, Benny Judging The Book Your Character's Buying / Your Character Is Judging A Book He's Reading, WHO MADE THIS CROSSIANT?!)
Mutuals (Characters that are close to the Parkers, his younger sister, maybe his mother, in some way? Characters that know the owner of Everything Goes, or the previous owner *8 years ago)
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&. â open starter: sugar rush scoops, afternoon, with anyone!
The sounds that came alive from Lola after her first spoonful of the sweet, creamy goodness could've rivaled that scene in When Harry Met Sally. Absolute enjoyment of the frozen treat was easily visible on her expression, even her eyes fell closed. One would think she hadn't just been here days ago enjoying a completely different flavor Lola claimed to be her favorite.
"Mhm. Yep. Damn, that is so good." Another spoonful was shoveled into her mouth and Lola still vocalized her pleasure. Even in the dead of winter she was the type of person to enjoy ice cream and iced coffee. It was just extra special on these hot and humid days. There was no way to explain, it just hit different. Before she scooped up another load Lola leaned forward to peek into their cup, spoon ready. "Mmm and what did you get?"
Benny, who usually liked to enjoy his ice cream on the go, decided it was too hot to risk letting the sweet treat melt down his hand before he got home. Instead, he chose to sit inside the cool ice cream shop at one of the few available tables. Halfway through his treat, Benny, absorbed in something he was reading on his phone, was interrupted by a stranger asking if she could share his table. He didn't mind; it was sweltering outside, and the shop was busy. Benny nodded silently and moved his belongings to make room for her. However, he was not prepared for how... vocal she was.
He nearly chokes on his ice cream at the first sound to come out of her mouth, the whole shop nearly pausing in time. But still, she goes on, and Benny's brows knit as he's stunned to think someone so brazen as her existed. When she asks what he got, he snaps out of it, looking down at his treat. "âChip," he struggles to get out, clearing his throat. "Mint chocolate chip." He then looks up, eyes falling to hers. He can't help but break into a grin. "I'm guessing yours isn't what I got." Otherwise, I'd be making those sounds, he implies.
Leyla caught the flicker in his expression at the brief brush of their hands, a faint heat creeping up her neck before she quickly looked away, pretending to fuss with her sleeve. Her lips twitched in response to his admission, a laugh threatening to break free. "Oh, I was absolutely dying to say I told you so," she remarked, brushing flour from her arm and letting her eyes linger on the fine white layer clinging to his shirt before meeting his gaze again.. "But I'll let you off the hook. This time."
She was about to nudge him again when she noticed the way his focus shifted past her, and her expression shifted instantly. "What?" she asked, stepping aside as he moved around her as realisation struck â the door had closed behind her. She must have knocked whatever was holding it open on her way in. Turning to follow his line of sight, just in time to see him grip the freezer door handle and yank at it unsuccessfully, her stomach sank. "Oh no." The chill was already biting at her fingers.
Leyla rubbed her hands together, the chill creeping through her sweater doing little to help her focus. Her mind raced through every possible way out as she motioned around him to try and pull the handle herself. Not that she didn't trust him, of course she did. But surely... shit. She patted at her pockets. Empty. Great. Swallowing, Leyla tried not to let the rising panic show as she turned to face Benny, lifting her gaze up to meet his own. She forced a steady calm into her expression as hope flickered in her eyes. "Please tell me you have your phone on you.."
Benny's mind went blank as he stepped back, suddenly aware of the cold air escaping from his breath while Leyla struggled to open the door. His eyes frantically searched the surroundings, but the small yellow bin that had been used to prop the door open was nowhere to be seen. He closed his eyes slowly, trying to contain the irritation that threatened to bubble up from his chest and into his fists.
The door stopper he had bought to keep the walk-in open was tucked away in a drawer in Leyla's office, saved for the next time Benny was supposed to do inventory. That was supposed to be nowâexcept it wasn't, because Benny had thought it would be fine to skip the task and no harm would be done. He had been too preoccupied with other things to stop and get the door stopper he hadn't touched in weeks.
He knew it was his fault. Failing to fix the handle and not using the proper tools to ensure safety for himself, and now for Leyla, was a hard pill to swallow, especially in the cold.
He snaps out of it when she turns to him. Benny responds by sliding his hands down to his sides and to his pockets, only to find them empty. And then, the soft, muffled sounds of music filter through the heavy door, confirming her question. He winces. "âShit," he mutters.
Benny turned away from her, an annoyed, long "Fuuuuck" escaping him as he walked deeper into the freezer, running his hands through his hair in frustration. What was he going to do? They were closed, so everyone went home. The best they could rely on was someone coming back because they forgot something, or Benny and Leyla were going to freeze to death.
Freeze to death.
Benny turns back to note Leyla's garments, a sigh of relief escaping him to see that she was wearing a sweater, despite sporting a white tee in this freezing den. Maybe it was adrenaline, but the chill hadn't exactly hit Benny just yet. "Okay," he suddenly says, moving about the enclosed space to fetch cardboard boxes left inside. "We have to insulate." He was focused and determined, but Benny did not want to look Leyla directly in the eye. Suddenly, he felt himself growing flushed, ashamed that the little things he had glossed over had resulted in them getting stuck like this.
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Her umber eyes narrowed to slits, pensively racking her brain for a long moment. She'd been pretty drunk New Years Eve, tipsy even by the time Benny found her, so it was fuzzy and difficult to recall any smidgen of information he'd let slip that night. Didn't he say that he worked with the person he was interested in just like Nia did? "Okay...okay..." she hummed, "I think the business part is true?" Which meant, she very very likely knew exactly who Benny was talking about. Comically, if so, Nia had a conversation that same night with the woman in question where she'd mentioned Benny. "I won't lie, I'm here for the petty so I kinda... want you to have sabotaged someone but I also feel like you might be too nice for that." She tipped her head aside, contemplating. "So I am picking that as the lie."
Benny studies Nia as she tries to piece together the information he's given her, the look in his eye preparing for that knowing glint. Not making it hard was part of the fun, and he knew sooner or later Nia would figure it out, but that didn't make the reveal any easier. He then erupted into a laugh, grinning from ear to ear. "You think I might be too nice for something like that?" He couldn't help but ask for confirmation, surprised to find himself otherwise pleased by her statement. "That's nice of you to say," he says with another chuckle before taking another drink. Then, with a shrug, he nods. "Okay, so I practically gave you that one," he rolls his eyes, leaning back. "Do I give off 'Karma'?" he says, with air quotes. "âAnyway, what, now I have to down this whole thing?" he says, lifting the wrong drink. "Ride the bull?" Benny shakes his head, resting his head on the palm of his hand. "Admit with my full chest that the person I like..." Benny trails, shaking his head. He groans. "Never mind."
Benny isn't really the karaoke type, but he does love a good group song. He'll get up and sing along (badly) to Don't Stop Believin' by Journey, almost always.
Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners is definitely a song that cheers up Benny. Those beginning chords instantly bring a smile to his face. He finds it silly, but it does do the trick!
Send a đ for my muse to explain what their favorite music genre is
for my muse to explain what their favorite music genre is
"Favorite music genre?" Benny's brows knit, his eyes searching the sky as if his answer was written in the clouds. "I guess I lean more alternative... or rock. Indie, maybe? I like bands like Emarosa and Greta Van Fleet. But I like Kendrick Lamar, too. So, you know ...anything good, I guess."
While this isn't necessarily a song Benny may or may not have heard, Say My Name by Prince of Eden is from his 'musical timeline' playlist, and it embodies his feelings for Leyla when he first realized he started falling for her.
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Under Pressure by Queen, featuring David Bowie, is definitely a morning song for Benny. It's the kind of song thatâs helped him become a morning person. The first few seconds instantly ease the tension in his shoulders, and it's exactly what he needs when he has a long day of baking ahead.
Here's a music related ask meme to hopefully get the creative juices flowing!
Please ensure to send at least one ask to everyone who is participating for each of their characters!
Send a đľ for a song about a specific time in my muse's life (specify the incident)
Send a đź for a random song from my muse's playlist
Send a đ for a party song from my muse's playlist
Send a đ for a song my muse likes to have sex to
Send a đ for a song that makes me think of our characters (specify who)
Send a đĽ for a song that always gets them motivated
Send a â¤ď¸ for a love song from my muse's playlist
Send a đ for a breakup song from my muse's playlist
Send a ⨠for a song that reminds my muse of someone
Send a đş for a song that is guaranteed to make my muse get up and dance
Send a đ for a song that always cheers my muse up
Send a đ˘ for a song my muse listens to when they're sad
Send a đ for my muse to explain what their favorite music genre is
Send a đ¤ for my muse's go to karaoke song
Send a đď¸ââď¸ for a song my muse loves to listen to at the gym
Send a đ for my muse's guilty pleasure song
Send a đ for my muse's favorite/most played song
starter for: anyone (capping at 0/3)
location: rusty spur
Coming to the Rusty Spur on a Thursday night probably wasn't the brightest idea the deaf yoga instructor had had lately. Thursday was very clearly the new Friday, and the country bar was packed to the brim. She had to weave her way through the chaos, shoulder to shoulder with strangers in boots and flannel. The din of the crowd so loud it made even hearing the country twang that played over the loud speakers inaudible for the brunette. She was scanning the sea of bodies for an empty table when she cut around a corner and walked straight into the path of a dart board she hadnât noticed.
She didnât hear the sharp warning from somewhere behind her, only the muted shuffle of boots and laughter. What she did notice was the sudden thunk against her glass. She froze, staring down at the offending dart now sticking out of her drink like a bizarre garnish. Lifting it out by the tail, she turned toward the general direction it had come from, one brow arched. ââŚNot sure if I should offer to buy you a drink or ask if Iâm next.â
The metal dart felt heavy between Benny's fingertips as he focused on the bullseye from his position. He was usually quite good at this; playing darts was a common pastime for him. Sure, he had a bit of an advantage given his reach, but Benny once spent a full twelve hours testing those limits. At 22, he never backed down from a challenge.
However, tonight wasn't about reliving any particular memories. Although one memory lingered in his mind, he simply wanted to keep himself occupied until his friend arrived. He let out a sigh, contemplating whether to throw the dart. Rolling his shoulders back, he decided he wouldnât let a bittersweet memory taint his enjoyment of the game.
He tossed the dart, but as it flew through the air, someone walked right into its path. Benny winced, expecting the worstâuntil it landed perfectly in her cup. Relief washed over him when he realized it was Val. He approached her with an easy grin. "Holy shit, I almost gave you a cheek piercing," he joked, poking her cheek playfully. "Boop."
He smiled and took her cup, the dart sticking out of it. "You're kidding, right? I have to buy you one." He shook his head, then took a drink from her cup. Benny grimaces, the taste of metal tainting his tongue. "Yeah, see? This one is no good." He nodded toward the bar. "Câmon."
Kit was standing in front of Ulla, briefly pausing from taking photos to switch out the lenses on his camera. His lips stayed permanently in this little grin. It was welcoming, making it obvious that he was listening to everything Ulla had to say, and making it even more obvious that he was intrigued by what she was saying.
"Oh, man. If you look this good at this age, I can only imagine how much more beautiful you were in your thirties," Kit spoke, sending Ulla a little tiny wink, a mutual understanding that he was being generous with it. Nothing weird about making sure his model was comfortable with herself and was confident with herself.
Kit began snapping photos again, pausing between every few to show Ulla on his computer. They were just little glimpses, photos before being edited, but he liked cheering her on.
"So how far does the Hellstrom lineage go in Briar Ridge?" he asked, positioning himself behind the viewfinder, waiting for just the right moment to snap the next photo of his model.
Benny rolled his eyes with a grin at Kit's comment about his mother, knowing she would revel in it. She was the type of person who cherished compliments and showcased them like badges of honor. "Oh," she cooed, grinning as she waved her hand dismissively while fixing her hair in an effort to appear humble. Benny wanted to laugh, realizing that as soon as Kit left, his mother would begin recalling every single compliment he had given her.
His next question prompts a pause. Benny and his mother exchange a glance, as if waiting to see who will speak first. The word "lineage" lingers in the air, feeling strange and heavy. "I have a daughter," Ulla says, momentarily changing her posture. "Benny's younger sister." Benny tilts his head, his eyes observing them closely. "And that's itâjust us." A chill runs down his spine, and he feels his fingers starting to numb from the tension. "We have some other family in town too," Benny adds, clearing his throat as if trying to ease his discomfort. "Cousins, mostly."
The awkwardness of discussing their families became palpable. Benny's discomfort was evident; if you looked closely, you could see the way his brow furrowed and how he hunched over, as if he were trying to protect himself. Ulla noticed his unease, her expression softening as she took a deep breath and nodded in Kit's direction. "How about you, dear? Are you from Brair Ridge? Do you have family here?"
The door to Briar Ridgeâs little corner bakery swung shut behind her, muffling the early-morning street noise. It was barely eight, but the place was already warm with the smell of coffee and fresh bread, the kind of scent that made you forget youâd meant to skip breakfast.
Elena shrugged out of her coat and scanned the display case, eyes drifting over neat rows of croissants and muffins. She didnât come in often, mornings usually meant coffee at home, files in her bag, and straight to the courthouse, but the early hearing had been pushed back, and sheâd found herself with ten extra minutes and a craving she couldnât talk herself out of.
When she spotted Benny behind the counter, she gave a faint smile and a lift of her chin. âMorning. Please tell me youâve still got one of those cinnamon twists left and didnât let the early crowd take them all.â
She stepped closer, lowering her voice just enough to make it feel more personal. âAlso,â she paused, âhowâs your mom? Mine keeps insisting she doesnât need anything, which usually means sheâs been dodging help. I know your momâs been checking in, but I figured youâd have the more honest version.â
Benny called upon a few young baristas, barely out of their teens, to help him wrestle a heavy tub of flour off the top shelf. With a grateful wave, he acknowledged their weary smiles as they trudged out of the walk-in freezer. Flour dust clung to his shirt and pants, creating a ghostly white pattern as he brushed himself off. After pushing the cumbersome bin back onto the bottom rack, he locked the freezer door with a sigh, shaking off the lingering chill that enveloped him.
Stepping out onto the shop floor, he spotted Elena by the display case. "Morning," he greeted her, a genuine grin spreading across his face. At her request, he moved back to the pastry selection, carefully retrieving a generous portion of golden cinnamon twists. âYouâre just in luck,â he chuckled.
His expression softened at the mention of their mothers, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Aside from his sister, Elena was the only one who truly understood the weight he carried, despite their differing circumstances. "Well, Iâm sure my mom wasnât listening to your mom and is helping her out anyway," he chuckled, a playful glint in his eye as he approached the register. "Sheâs doing wellâtoo well?" he added, tilting his head slightly, sharing a moment of concern with her.
Benny shook his head, breaking the moment with a pause as he cleared his throat. "I don't like to think about it." He let out a small sigh, thoughts heavy. "Anything else?" he asked. "Nothing to drink?"
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"What?" Nia held up a hand, "No, no, no. I remember all too well a certain someone poking me for information on New Years Eve about my... er, situationship. So it's my turn!" A hint of tipsy mirth colored the woman's tone. Admittedly, getting information out of her had also been like pulling teeth. Slow, reluctant, colored with a degree of her being sheepish. "You can't say that and just... merrily skip along back to drinking games, Sir." Not that there was anything wrong with someone having a child, obviously, but Benny's attempt to brush it off only served to feed into her curiosity. "Actually, okay... I'll throw you a bone. We can do Two Truths and Lie, but I want the facts to be about your mystery date. Partner. Whatever term fits."
Benny knew being nosy was going to bite him in the ass later. He knocked his head back with a laugh as Nia gave him a taste of his own medicine, deciding that it didn't matter what the details were. She was right. If he had the right to pry, Nia should have the right as well. Benny decides he's not going to make her try too hard, but he is interested in playing her proposed game. He hums and nods as he adjusts himself in his seat to get comfortable. "Okay... I can do that," he chuckles, his gaze lifting as he tries to think of facts that will satisfy them both. "She owns a business," he starts, tilting his head as he quickly realizes how obvious that might be. "Brunette." Good, that's a vague one. "And I may have sabotaged someone's chances in trying to get close to her."
Leyla startled at the sound of her name, the urgency in Benny's voice slicing clean through the soft hum of music and the quiet rustle of pages. She'd been sitting on the floor in the back corner of the store, halfway through re-categorising the romantasy shelf, blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. Benny never shouted â not unless something was genuinely on fire or about to be. She sprang up and jogged toward the sound of his voice within an insant, the cold air hitting her face before she even stepped inside. "What's uâ" she started, before her eyes landed on him, arms raised like he was bracing for impact, white dust already blooming in the air like a warning. She didn't laughâyet. Instead, she lunged forward, grabbing the edge of the bin just as it tilted, helping him steady it back onto the rack. Her fingers brushed his, cold from the freezer air.
Once the bin was safely back in place, Leyla let out a breath she hadnât realised sheâd been holding. Her eyes flicked down to the thin layer of flour dusting Bennyâs shirt and chest, her mouth tugging into something of a smile. She pulled her hand back, swiping some flour from her arm, then gave a quick glance around the freezer. The cold crept under her sleeves, prompting a small shiver. âAre you okay?" she asked, eyes scanning him in a once overâchecking for bruises or injuries. Behind them, a soft click echoed, muffled by the thick insulation of the freezer walls. Leyla barely registered the sound, her focus still on Benny as she waited for his answer, unaware that anything had changed.
Benny turned and felt the tension in his shoulders ease at the sound of Leyla's hurried footsteps. He noticed her trying not to break into a smile as she approached, clearly amused by the sight before her. He shook his head but managed to return her smile, adding a pleading look as she came to his rescue. The scent of her perfume briefly caught his attention while she helped him with the lid of the bin.
His eyes flickered toward their hands as they briefly touchedâa habit Benny had struggled to hide ever since they started working together. He managed to try to cover it by overdoing it with the blinking and looking elsewhere, but he wasn't always so lucky. "Thanks," he breathed in relief, turning to face her after pushing the bin a bit further back.
He turns at the sound of her brushing flour off her arm. He clears his throat, trying to brush off his momentary embarrassment. "Yeah, well, I definitely regret putting it up there now," he rubs the back of his neck, flashing his teeth at her, knowing she was dying to say that she told him so.
Benny used to play pranks on Leyla by placing items she couldn't reach on shelves. One of the pranks he pulled was putting the flour bin so high that he nearly forgot about it. Leyla had warned him that he would regret it later, and now, considering he was the only one who could reach the bin, he was also the only one responsible for retrieving flour from it. It was truly a double-edged sword, as some might say. "It was funnier back then."
For a brief moment, Benny thinks he should try to do it now while Leyla is still there to help him. However, he freezes when he sees the freezer door closed behind her. He leans out to look past her, his brow furrowed and panic beginning to churn in his stomach. He flashes an alarmed look at Leyla before moving towards the door, shaking the good-for-nothing handle vigorously. He pauses, heaving a deep breath before he turns to face her. "We're locked in."