In Where There Is A Misunderstanding

Blaire Remmings was beginning to regret taking the late shift. She glanced nervously up and down the alley before quickly stepping out and locking the side door. She shivered as a cold wind lifted the ends of her jacket, drawing her scarf more snuggly against her neck. It was Monday, the most hated day of the week, and all she had to look forward to when she got home was a mug of tea and studying for midterms. Midterms…..

Yes, she was really regretting taking the late shift. But Mr. Schroeder was paying her overtime, so Blaire guessed that sort of made up for it. She jiggled the handle to make sure the door was really locked before putting the keys in her purse. As she turned toward the alley mouth, a shadow blocked out the light from the street. Blaire looked up and took a step back, her hand immediately going to the pepper spray she kept in her purse.

The man blocking her way was at least a foot taller then her average height of five feet and four inches, with a body disguised by a bulky coat. Blaire figured he could take a girl like her out in five seconds. Dark hair shadowed a pale face half-hidden by a dark scarf, save for two glowing eyes. Eyes that were looking at Blaire in a way she usually didn't like to be looked at. She gripped her pepper spray can all the more tightly.

"Hey." The strange man said. Blaire gulped.

"You- you stay away from me." She said in what she hoped was a strong voice. You had to be confident, she remembered from that self-defense lecture in high school. If you are weak you are easier prey.

"Don't be like that. I just want to talk to you." He said quietly, holding up his gloved hands. Dangerous, Blaire thought, he's trying to lull me into a false sense of security. He took a couple of steps forward, causing Blaire to press herself against the shop wall.

"I'm warning you. I'm serious, just leave me alone." She said more forcibly, holding her purse across her body like a shield.

"I just want to talk." The man said slowly, grinning eerily in the glow of the street lamp. He stepped forward again, spreading his arms to block her way. Blaire figured that if she got him right in the face with the pepper spray she could duck under his arms and get on the street. It was only a ten minute walk to her apartment from the shop; she figured she could make it there in four at a dead run. The man continued forward at a slow pace. Blaire waited until she was sure she had a clear shot before she whipped out her can.

"RAPE! SOMEONE, HELP!" She screamed as she hit him full in the face with her spray. She didn't wait to see how he reacted. Blaire bolted onto the street and set out at a sprint down the sidewalk. A cry of anger and pain came from behind her, spurring her on. She hoped she never saw that guy again.

Interested? Intrigued? Review!

This is an idea I've been working on for a bit, but don't be afraid to tell me what you think!