(prompt: 'order' 11/10/2019)

At first I didn't realise he was any different from the others rushing along the pavement in order to get home at the end of their day. Many were going in my direction - some ahead, others behind. When I slowed to check a shop window or two, several brushed past. Some with eyes glued to their mobile phones crashed into me. Only a few apologised. Gradually, as darkness descended - particularly early on this wintry night - and the street lights blinked off/on a couple of times before settling into their glowing and strangely comforting presence, the number of other pedestrians thinned as some chose their bus stops and others peeled off into homes closer to work. It seemed I had a longer journey than most.

Later, on reflection, I realised I HAD become aware of a persistent presence behind me, even before I turned into that narrow alleyway, a shortcut linking the two well-lit thoroughfares. But my head was filled with other distractions. It had been that kind of day - at work, and even before I'd left home. At breakfast, Scott had a serious, thoughtful expression on his face, and his voice was slow. And sad... as he told me we must talk tonight. It almost sounded like an order. Things had been strained between us recently. I anticipated nothing good coming out of the planned conversation.

The first inkling of the current approaching disaster came when the figures at the other end of the alley became suddenly distant,shadowy... too far away to help me. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed the footsteps I'd thought I heard were real... closer, definitely following me and approaching faster with every step. Even worse... there were two pair of them. The acrid smell and jarring sounds of traffic fell away when confined to each end of that cold, dark alleyway. The emptiness fairly reeked the threat of danger with its few barred windows and little-used doors. Why-ohh-why had I chosen THIS shortcut, THIS night? I walked faster. And so did they. And faster. And so did they.

It wasn't just the speeding up of my pace that caused the sudden wetness and crawling sensation over my scalp, the trickle down my spine, the sudden discomfort of my clothes as though fine body hairs had turned brittle, prickly. And found my heart suddenly racing. When I realised I was seemingly never moving forward, but running on the spot on the cobblestones with my potential assailants gaining by the moment, I knew I was never going to make the other end... and safety. And then—

I awoke. In a bath of sweat, heart pounding painfully, breathing fast and laboured - but ALIVE... blessedly ALIVE.

All tension and fear whooshed out of me in a great quivering sigh. It was only a dream. Well, nightmare, actually.

That same one again.

But WHY??