Shadow

Selma’s heart raced, her breath came in gasps, as she quickened her pace. She tried to concentrate on the fog enveloping her, the puffs of air issuing from her mouth every time she exhaled. Her muscles tensed and she shook as she hoofed it down the street, but it wasn’t just the chill winter air causing this.

Listening again, she could hear it, the sound of footsteps that had been pursuing her since she’d stepped out of the restaurant. She didn’t need to turn around to know what she’d see, the vague outline of an androgynous figure. Down every street it had followed her, even when she had gone completely out of her way. There was no doubt left in her mind that it was following someone – following her.

As she passed a phone booth, she contemplated ducking into it to call someone – anyone – but then shot the idea down. She didn’t want to be cornered in such a small area, not with…whoever it was, whoever it was who was stalking her.

Once again, Selma quickened her pace, almost jogging now. The footsteps behind her quickened, as well. She spied an alley, then, and ducked into it, desperation clouding her mind. Pressing her back against the brick wall of the building behind her, she edged her way inward, silently praying for a door while trying to avoid the refuse that littered the ground. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied it. If she could just get there…

Hand inches from the doorknob, she tripped over a beer bottle. She cried out as her wrist twisted the wrong way beneath her.

The figure was standing at the end of the alley. Slowly, menacingly, it moved forward…

Yeah. It kinda went from there.