Thursday, June 7, 2007

Hunted

“I still don’t see anyone out there.” Jenny said as she walked into the back room of the shoe store. “Are you ready to go yet?”

“Yeah, just – ah – just give me a second. And thanks for waiting for me.”

She didn’t see him, but I knew he was out there. He said he would be when he called the store earlier. I lied about what time we closed, but he knew I was lying. And he had no problem waiting. He did it all the time.

The rain was pouring down when we made our move to lock up the store and get to our cars.

“Good luck – is that him?” Jenny asked before she got in her car.

“Shit – yeah – I gotta go, thanks!!” I yelled as I jumped in my Celebrity and raced out of the parking lot. He saw me. He followed me. It was only a short drive to the apartment building, but how was I supposed to park and get in? I had to lose him.

With shaking hands, I reached for my seatbelt – doing 75 mph – it was raining so hard all I could see was his truck in my rear view. I lit a cigarette.

I ran a red light, cut off a couple cars and managed to catch a small break – so small he still saw me turn into the complex. I sped through the parking lot, praying to God nobody walked out in front of me.

I found a spot in the back, where it would be harder to find. I ran halfway to the door. There, I crouched down next to a truck, soaking wet, and waited for him to see my car. Once he noticed it and made his way to the back, I ran for the door. The security lock was broken – good for me, but good for him, too. I ran up the two flights of stairs as fast as I could. When I reached the top, I heard the main door open.

I ran down the long hallway and pounded on the apartment door. The Man opened it to find me drenched, shaking.

“What’s going on?” He asked.

I pushed my way into the apartment and quickly closed the door.

“He was waiting for me after work.” I answered.

He didn’t ask any more questions.

He just took me in his arms and held me as I started to sob.

14 comments:

lady macleod said...

pardon me? What is going on? this is frightening.

Butrfly Garden said...

sorry lady macleod...I knew this was going to be confusing and yet, still didn't signify that at all.

This is a repost - it was how I began the Punjabi story. I originally meant for it to just be that but the response told me I should finish the story out. This, however, took place during my completely oversimplified ending post. I linked to it, but during the wrong period of time. Let me just make one big fat excuse for myself and say I really wanted to rewrite my ending before I posted it but was just too swamped and I made a promise.

Brillig said...

I'm SO glad you reposted this. I've now read this several times (when you first wrote it, when you linked to it yesterday, and then again today) and every time, my heart races and I'm at the edge of my seat!

(And I'm glad you decided to tell the whole story. This post was so awesome in its simplicity, but it left us all DYING to know the rest!)

Anonymous said...

Was it after this that you moved?

Butrfly Garden said...

Thanks, Brill! I think I just confused everyone else.

Goldy - this was AFTER I'd told him to stop calling me, but BEFORE I moved and switches stores. It was what made me decide that "he'd see me dead if he could."

Pollyanna said...

oh my word...when did this story start? so I can start at the very very beginning? Did you link it for us? I don't know...you need to write mystery novels. You'd make a mint.

Pollyanna said...

and where is he now? Your stalker? Do you know?

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm new here--I linked from Brillig's blog This post is great. You should consider turning it into a short story if you haven't already. You do a fantastic job capturing the terror of a person being stalked.

Congratulations on your Indieblogger award! You deserve it.

Jenn in Holland said...

Came by way of Brillig's today. She made a stellar choice, this is indeed an excellent piece. But the thing is, I kinda got stuck here reading the whole story. And then more stuff. And then other stuff. And then I bookmarked your site.

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'm new, so I'm confused. Is this a short story you're writing or is this something that really happened to you?

Carla said...

OOOOOOOOOOOH! Me likey!

lady macleod said...

so good I had to read it again in honor of your award. Much better this time as I was not fearing for your life, dialing the airline to get a ticket, packing my bag...I have as Q calls it a "real rescue complex"!

congratulations dear.

Daisy said...

The post was stunning.
I like your "green butterfly" logo! I'll let you know if I find any goodies for you to test -- or if I test any myself. Right now, 'tis the season that all is compost.

Lawyer Mama said...

Here by way of Brillig. I think I held my breath through the whole thing.