Wherein a girl walks home at night and questions if the shifting shadows around her are real.

-

The night had finally stained the horizon in its coating of darkness, nothing but city lights and the celestial setting up above to stop it from taking over all at once.

Then again, I never felt all that comforted while in the lights. It gave more attention to me; it allowed them to see me more. It brought a chill to my spine and a tremble throughout my hands as I walked through the city. I could feel the stares burning through my body from every angle, from every place. Whispers across the street echoed all around. The cold crept up again and my body wanted to freeze the longer it went on. The feeling just wouldn't stop the staring got worse the whispering got louder-

Breathe, just breathe.

Home was about fifteen minutes away. I deeply can't express how overjoyed I would be if I could get a car sooner rather than later. Then I would be home quicker, I would be at home with my dog nestled by my side, ears up and alert to tell me if we weren't alone.

I clenched my hands. The walk seemed to go on for far too long. The sound of my footsteps echoed noisily, drawing attention from all sides. In the corner of my eye, a shadowed figure crept closer. What are they holding? They're looking directly at me, what are they planning? Who is it? Am I drawing too much attention to myself? Am I going to die tonight?-

Breathe, just breathe.

The shadow was gone in a flash. It was right there-it had been right there! I swear it was there, it had to have been there. I'm not crazy-I'm not. Was it a trick of the eyes? We're the late hours getting to me. No, it was never that simple was it? It's what everyone thinks and then they die and they're never heard from again.

What if I'm never heard from again? Will anyone know what killed me? Will I be remembered? Will I disappear and fade into nothingness like how I think I will? I don't even have any family nor friends, who's going to know? What if they know that? They know. Oh god, it knows. That's why it was there-it's back! It's back! And it's so much closer.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I tried my hardest not to turn my full attention to the shadowed figure. I didn't want it to know that I knew. I just hope it couldn't hear my rapid breathing and that it didn't notice the shakiness in my walk. Home was just five minutes away.

I could make, I could definitely make it. Right? The shadow is getting closer every time I blink. I swallowed the lump in my throat. The figure doesn't seem to have a face or anything, just a shadow looking in my direction. Please, don't let this be it. That can't be it, it just can't.

Breathe, just breathe.

My home was in sight. A couple more paces and I'll be there, safe and sound with my dog. From my pocket I got my keys ready, trying not to cringe at the noise it made. The stare from the figure was getting intense as it grew closer. I tried my best to get the right key in my hand, but my hands were shaking sporadically.

What if I didn't make it in time to put the key to the door? Is that how it ends? My scream piercing the night air as I die through whatever means the figure has in mind?

The shadow was just a couple feet away, and I was just on the steps of my door. It was now or never. I sprung up, jammed the key into the lock, moved it this way and that, took the key, threw the door open, and slammed it. My dog came up happily to greet me. A weight was off my chest, and I couldn't help but chuckle as I went down and petted my dog. He wagged his tail at me. I'm safe, I'm home, I'm okay.

A hand settled on my shoulder. Then it came to me-I hadn't locked the door.

I can't breathe.