I turned the corner and stood in front of the mirrored windows on the building. I looked at myself: my once cleanly-shaven chin now had stubble on it, my hair had some stray hairs sticking out, and my eyes were bloodshot. “No one will notice, no one will say anything.” That’s what I said to myself. I’ve always been a horrible liar. I continued walking; passing by countless other strangers, but none made the impact that that first one made. His face still floated in my mind. Why is he so memorable when every other person here is so…not memorable? I shook the thought that came in mind out and continued to soldier on. I knew that couldn’t be the reason; there’s no way that could be the reason. I heard footsteps behind me, but ignored them. Countless other people walked by me.

I ignored the hairs that stood on the back of my neck as the footsteps became closer; I ignored the urge to run, because I knew that if I ran he would get me. Whoever he was, I knew he wasn’t just anyone. He was…no, is…someone very dangerous. I got tired of ignoring my instincts and turned around. My heart-beat became faster when I saw him, acting nonchalantly. “I’m not following you,” his manner said, “I just happen to be behind you.” His entire body’s a horrible liar. I stood there; just stood there as he walked up to me and gave me that same thin smile he gave me just minutes ago. He started to walk by me, but I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “Who are you?” I tried to sound commanding, but I’m sure I sounded frightened; my voice doesn’t lie.

He smiled and held his hand out, “Just call me ‘Friend’.” I gave him an odd look and slowly, hesitantly moved my hand toward his. He may have seemed dangerous, but his eyes shone kindly; I hope they weren’t lying. I shook his hand and it strongly squeezed my hand. “Ok, Fred..” “Friend.” I froze. Friend? His name was “Friend”? This guy was no crazed maniac like I thought; just a weirdo. “Ok, ‘Friend,’ ” I thought, “why the heck are you following me?” He laughed as though he had heard my question and thought it was the Joke of the Day. He brushed his hair out of his face and reached into his pocket; I heard the sound of change jingling and watched as he slowly pulled his hand out of his pocket. I saw the thing he pulled out: a bobby pin. He put it in his hair and smiled. Like I said…weirdo.