William's P.O.V

"That'll be fifteen seventy five." I say after checking the attached screen to the cashier. The numbers came up big and bold everytime thanks to Blue, there was no way I could mistake it.

The person hands me a twenty and I make it through putting it through the machine and giving him the right change back. Blue had labeled the spaces for the bills, making this task essentially effortless.

I do a little dance the minute the door closes behind the customer, jumping happily at making it through my fifth sale without fucking it up.

I'd only been working at Blue's for a few days but it'd been easy so far, just like he said. He'd made working here a safe haven for me, somewhere were I felt normal and independent.

I slip into the back room to label the box of records that came in with their prices. I grab the label gun and press away, Blue had preset the prices this morning for me knowing they were too small for me.

I worried sometimes that these tedious little tasks Blue had to do for me to work here was more trouble than doing it himself. He was quick to shut that thought down when I voiced it to him, telling me that I was the angel his wife was praying for.

I wasn't the only one loving it here, Sassy was obsessed with the store. Well the backyard more than the store itself, I left the back door open at all times allowing her to go out whenever she wanted to. I tried to get here a little earlier than opening time so that I could play fetch with her.

By the time we left at three in the afternoon, we were both exhausted and enjoyed dinner with a show running in the background. Not that either of us paid much attention to it, I sort of just ate lazily before dragging myself into bed.

Today was supposed to be no different, but when did things ever go to plan.

The sound of the store phone grasps my full attention within an instant, I drop the label gun before going back to the counter where the phone sat underneath the register. My hand hovers over the phone as I contemplate how to answer it in the best possible way.

"Hello, how are you?" No, that's a little personal right.

"William speaking," Why the hell would I give them my name.

I grab the phone afraid they'd hang up and cross my fingers for the best.

"Blue's, how may I help you?" I say into the phone with more politeness and kindness in my tone than I could ever muster up in person.

"Is this how you're answering my phone?" Blue's heavy voice rasps in response. My shoulder sag and I slip into the comfortable chair in wait. "Not bad kid."

"Thanks," I reply as I twirl the curly cord between my fingers, wrapping it enough times to cut off the circulation there.

"Something's come up, I'll be a little late to close the shop." He says, the hesitance in his voice clear as day.

Panic is the first to knock on my door. A little late, what counts as a little late? If he's not here by six and it gets dark, I'd be stuck outside at night. I couldn't be outside at night.

"I know you need to get back before it gets dark, I'll be there way before." Blue continues, sympathy shining through his tone. I almost want to tell him it's fine and that I'd close up shop today, but I was a selfish person. I didn't want to risk not making it home when I could avoid it.

"Okay," I reply instead of voicing my stresses. 

I usually left at three, the sun went down after six. A little late couldn't possibly mean three hours, and besides, I lived less than ten minutes away. I knew the route by heart now, I should be fine with my phone's flashlight. I even had Sassy, I didn't have to worry about anything.

"Okay, yeah. That's fine." I say plastering on some confidence. This job was my first job and I highly doubted people got jobs this nice which they enjoyed this much, I was not jeopardizing it because I was afraid of the dark. 

"Thanks so much, William. I'll see you later."

--

I, in fact, did not see Blue later. 

Blue did not come at four or five, Blue didn't come back at all. He didn't answer his phone, didn't send a text, didn't make a call - absolutely nothing. I partially worried that something had happened, maybe he had a stroke or maybe he got in an accident, plausible reasons for leaving me hanging. Plausible reasons I couldn't bring myself to care about as I watch the sun go down behind the front door window.

I wanted to close up shop and go right home, but Blue closed his shop later than most. He made good business too in the evenings when teens were free. But I didn't really give a damn about business when all I could do was think about the last time I'd been out at night.

My mind flashes between the present and the past, figures appearing where they weren't, laughter echoing from my memories, bringing the cold touch of terror with it. I back away from the door and went to the back door to make sure it was locked. I was safe in the store, I could sleep here tonight with Sassy worst-case scenario.

But anyone could see into the store, there were so many display windows from the front, the wrong person just had to look through and spot me. The thought makes me shiver as I desperately call for Blue again. He was the only number on my phone beside Francis and my mother, but he wasn't answering.

Time passed as my anxiety climbed in leaps and bounds until outside the shop became pitch black as night took its turn. Beyond the blur of illuminated shelves in the store, I couldn't see much else but small clumps of what I assumed to be shop lights along the road. I put the phone down after the thousandth attempt and look down at Sassy. She was at my feet, her black collar camouflages with her fur as she lays in wait. 

I had to go home.

I wouldn't make it through the night if I stayed here. Even if I locked it all up and hid in the furthest corner in the back room, I wouldn't make it. Not with the way my hands had already begun to shake with nerves, my heart racing forward with the need to escape.

I lock the shop up and turn the sign to signal we were closed before retaking my position behind the counter. I lock the register with my key and stash away the small things hoping this was enough. Blue had never taught me how to lock up properly because when I'd started working here, that was never an option. I'd made it clear to Blue that I never wanted to work late into the evening, but I didn't have much choice now.

The fear of being fired after this not helping much with the already explosive dread that was building inside of me. Once everything is done, I take a moment to map out my route home in my head. Along my route, there were three crossings and two traffic lights, all illuminated well enough by street lights that I could use them as checkpoints. I would have to keep to the street lights and hope they were enough, I decide against using the flashlight on my phone, that would attract unnecessary attention. After all, it was only a little after seven and though it was my worse nightmare, to the average person it was just a Tuesday night.

 "Sassy, I know that you basically loss the lottery when it came to getting me as your owner," I say bending down to pet her as I attach her leash to her collar. "But I really need you tonight, if you know the way home, I'm begging you to take the lead."

Sassy doesn't reply, I half expected her to. But she just laid there on the floor, bored and waiting for us to go home. For some reason, seeing her so relaxed, unphased while I was on the brink of having a panic attack, it calmed me. Her lack of anxiety eradicated some of my own, I prayed she didn't get panicked out there or I'd truly lose my shit.

"Alright, let's go," I say slipping my small bag over my shoulders and wrapped my fists around the leash. Sassy follows easily as we leave the store, I take off all the lights exposing me to the true darkness which laid outside the doors. It takes longer than it should, for me to find the keyhole, I lock the door and attach the heavy bolt lock to the gate in front before turning around.

I keep my back close to the gate, not willing to lose my bearings for a single moment. I look around release an audible sigh of relief when I find the street illuminated by shop lights, street lights everywhere. I couldn't make out the names on buildings, but I could make out their shapes. I could see the road I usually came down and could make out the sidewalk fine enough.

I don't waste any more time, not wanting to chance a light blowing or the true dark of night falling with me still trying to find my way out of it. Sassy walks lightly in front of me, her nose to the ground as she walked with eagerness. I keep my eyes up and alert, listening for the sound of steps behind me or unwelcomed voices, my chest eases a bit when I find neither. 

I look up to see three circles of green which change to amber and then red. The first traffic light, my first checkpoint. I bury the scream of joy which wanted to escape and settle for a mental cheer of joy instead as Sassy and I pass it. I keep an eye for the crossing which was not too far off, hoping and praying it would be visible somehow.

It was.

I catch the faded white block in the road from my peripheral vision and Sassy turns in that direction a second later, confirming my thoughts. I smile down at her as I press the small button and wait for the sign across the road to change and the sequential beep to follow. The roads were clear and others were crossing, but I wasn't risking my luck. I would cross when I was told to, and so I did. I crossed with Sassy in front, meeting the other side with nothing but happiness.

 I was doing this. I was actually doing this. I was outside at night, with no one's help besides my own and Sassy's serene behavior and I was doing just fine. I smile at the thought of calling Francis tonight to tell him about this, tell him about how I'd gone out on my own and made it back safely. 

We make it past two more of my mental checkpoints, with only three more left before my apartment complex. I turn a familiar corner but stop immediately when the shadows completely swallow my vision, taking out any spec of light and leaving nothing but blackness in its wake. Sassy tugs at the leash but I don't move, my heart plummetting to the bottom of my chest within an instant. Horror blooming inside at not being able to tell whether my eyes were open or closed. 

I turn quickly and Sassy follows, I round the corner and light fills in a few spots of the darkness, retaking it's placed as shops and small homes come into sight. I lean against the wall, shielding myself from an attack from behind as my lungs fill themselves once more with the air they'd been deprived of in that moment. I look around, desperate to reassure myself that I could see things around me, there was light here, it was okay to be here.

But there was none around the corner, not a single blub in sight, leaving me completely blind, something I hadn't experienced since I was in this hospital. I couldn't go home, even with Sassy leading the way, I couldn't bring myself to a point where I'd be completely helpless.

What the hell was I going to do?

"Hey, are you okay?" A voice says suddenly as a man approaches. 

I push away from the wall instantly, backing away to create as much distance as I possibly could. The man stops his movements but I don't, my voice escaping me as the loud thump of my overworked heart fills my ears. I turn to the corner but immediately pull back the moment darkness comes to greet me once more. When my eyes catch the man again, I stumble back into the road with the desperate need to escape.

You okay beautiful?

Tears fill my eyes as my subconscious redelivers me to a night similar to this one, a man standing before me just as this man had. I stumble back, my legs pulling me away from danger as my mouth ran dry, my face wet with tears as my lips shook in place.

Suddenly there's too much light as the headlights of a car shines on me, the horn blaring as the owner yells from their seat. I tighten my grip on the leash when I hear Sassy barking in front of me. My feet move me out of the road and to the other side. Darkness pulls itself over the light from the car and my eyes sting with the sudden changes, my had pounding as I struggled to gather my barings.

I look around, desperate to make my way towards the lights but then there were more people. There were people coming towards me and when I looked across, the man was crossing as well. They were coming towards me and I couldn't help the sob of pure angst which pulled its way through my lips as I saw their faces again. Saw their faces on these people, saw the look in their eyes as they surrounded me.

I turn and run. 

I run as fast as I can, pushing my legs to take me faster than they had that night, begging them to take me away from this pain again. Sassy ran at my side, struggling to keep up with me as I ran blindly. Only a few lights to be found in the distance, but nothing more than a spec from where I was, not nearly enough to lead me. But I had no other choice but to run, nothing I could do but escape. 

My feet catch over loose rocks and I crash to the floor my head hitting the concrete so hard my vision went completely black. A chocked sobbed pulls from my lips as I try to sit up, my body aching with the pain while my heart raced with past fears still blooming. Sassy rubs herself against me, letting me know she's still here while I cried quietly. My hand shakes as I bring it to my temple, the touch doubling the pain there, I quickly pull away, my fingers trembling at the blood left on my fingertips. I try to stand but stop the moment my ankle screams in protest.

"No, no," I whisper shakily when I try again only to scream out at the pain.

I settle back on the floor, chest tight and body aching all over as I look around, the quick motion like a hammer to my head as my vision fills with blackness once more. The sound of approaching steps, makes the tears fall harder. 

I ignore the pain and pull myself away from the pavement, praying to God that they wouldn't see me. I bite my lip to quiet my muffled screams as I drag my body along the ground, the movement causing the pain in my ankle to double. I pull myself until I reach a wall and stay still, Sassy tucks herself against my arm and I pull her into my chest and close my eyes.

The steps continue to get closer and closer until they pass by and the sound gets softer and softer, leaving me alone in the darkness. I open my eyes and look around, I couldn't see a thing. I didn't even know where I was, I lost myself a long time ago and couldn't even begin to retrace my steps if I could stand.

Don't be scared.

A shiver runs down my spine at the voice which brushes the tips of ears, I shut my eyes and hold Sassy closer to me.

Tears pouring past my eyes as I cried helplessly in the darkness, my mind repositioning me in that dark alley and I couldn't escape it, no matter how hard I tried.

This is what you deserve.

I hear another set of steps approaching, these rushed as if the person was running. I curl into myself tighter, waiting with my breathe held for them to pass me by.

But they don't.

They instead begin making their way towards me and I scream hoping this time my screams would be heard.

-----------------

Oooooo, cliffhangerrrrr.

Thoughts?
How are we feeling?
What are we thinking?

We'll see in the next update,
Hope you guys enjoyed this little double update, the real drama starts next chapter.

Until next time,
Byeeeeeee Humansssssssss