Days like today help me remember that life isn’t totally terrible. I’m surprised that I actually had a fun day at work, I mean that’s not supposed to happen right? I just got out of the office, and started to make my way through the parking lot. Even leaving late at night doesn’t do much to dampen my mood. The cold night air makes me shiver, but still feels good against my skin. Since I get in to the office around midday, I always end up having to park at the furthest edge of the lot. Most people would complain, but hey I like the walk, so I don't really mind. There's only a couple of other cars that I can make out in the darkness, just the managers now. The three light posts in the lot don't really provide much light, merely making small pockets directly under them visible. This was a pretty good end to a pretty good week. I still feel so full of energy. I don’t even know what I’m going to do this weekend, but I'm ready to take it on! I make a small fist pump in the air- Judd Nelson style. Thank God no one saw that, I think to myself with a smile. I can have a hard time staying positive, but lately it's been much easier. Why stay focused on the negative when it can just come back to- Wait, what was that?
Right as I was passing the light post in the middle of the parking lot, a figure moved from outside the light, to under to it, to outside it again. I squint my eyes trying to see what it could be, but it’s too dark to make out anything. I can feel my anxiety start to build as I stare at the dark parking lot. I take a couple of breaths trying to calm down. One... then two... I turn around and start to walk a bit faster towards my car.
Eh, come on, don't let this ruin your day, I think to myself as I take out my keys in preparation. I'm pretty sure there's some leftover Chinese food I have to look forward to when I get home. I could also get a couple of hours of video games in before bed. My roommate mentioned something about a new game he bought that sounded pretty fun. That should be a pretty good way to decompress. I’m nearly to my car when I use my remote to unlock it. As the car chirps awake, the lights flash on for just a second, but that's all it takes to illuminate the figure standing just in front of it.
I stop walking and look towards the spot where I’d seen it. I'm just tired, I think to myself, I'm just tired. I slowly clear my throat, and press the unlock button again to flash the light. Nothing. I sigh in relief, "You're so dumb" I say out loud quietly. Giving the area another quick scan, I practically run the rest of the way to my car. I quickly slide in and close the door. Sitting in the comfort within, I start to slowly feel myself calm down. All right, let’s go. I hear the click of the ignition and then the roar of the engine. My headlights cut through the darkness ahead, illuminating the empty parking lot. I was about to turn on the radio, but at the last second, I decide against it. I’m not really in the mood. Normally I'd play the music loud and sing along horribly, but tonight I don't think I have the energy for that anymore.
Even though it was a decent day, it still felt great to be headed home. I mean, work is still work after all. Ahead, the traffic light goes from yellow to red, crap I won’t make it. I slowly come to a stop, my brakes squealing loudly the entire time. I’ve been meaning to get that checked out. It's not really that late yet, but there's not really any other cars out on the road. Good, all to myself. I look to the left and see the other lights turning yellow, almost time to go... Red.... Just about. I begin to apply a bit of pressure to the gas pedal, when I take a glance in my rearview mirror. Right as I do, I see the shadow move from behind the passenger seat, to behind mine.
My foot almost slips off the pedal as I turn around to take a look, but there’s nothing there. I face forward again, but as soon as I do, I notice the shadow just out my range of vision. I need to get going, I think, if a cop sees me parked at a green light he’ll want to know why. I continue my way home, checking the rearview mirror, but every time I take a glimpse it seems to dart away. The only time it stays in place is when I’m looking directly in front, but always just out of range. After nearly swerving into the wrong lane while checking the mirror. I remain facing forward, sitting upright and stiff. I clear my throat to try and say something, but I can’t seem to make any words. What do I even say? I wouldn’t even know who to tell or what to say. I can feel my mind race as I drive through the streets. Unfortunately, the way back is mostly small surface streets with a few red lights in the way so progress is slow. The sense of desperation I feel makes the ride seem even more eternal. I just want to get home. Home. What if it follows me all the way home? I feel a sickening feeling in my stomach as I take a quick look. Like always it moves at the last second. I don't know what to do. Suddenly, I feel slight pressure on my back, almost as if someone was pushing against my seat. No, what is this?
I feel empty inside. It's not going to be okay. It’s hopeless. Whatever it is... it's going to get me. There’s no way out. Wait. That’s it. What if... What if I crash the car? Yes! That would rid me of this... thing, right? I look forward and see a car much further ahead. Yes, that’s it. That’s the only way, I don’t how else to get rid of it. No one can help me. Nearly, there. Come, on! This has to work!
No, this is stupid, what am I thinking? My breath come out short and rapid, nearly hyperventilating. I need to calm down, breathe... just breathe. But all I can manage are a few rapid inhales before I feel my throat seize up. I can't breathe.
Again, the pressure builds behind me, sending me forward. I don't even try to look back, I can't. My arms are locked in place, shaking, with my hands gripping the steering wheel with all my might. My mouth hangs slightly open as the pressure on my back builds, leaving me inches from the steering wheel. Ahead the traffic light turns red and the car in front comes to a stop. I need to do this. It’s the only way out. I press down on the pedal, speeding up. I have to. I... I can't take it anymore. My chin rests atop the steering wheel now, as the pressure push me all the way to the edge. It's... too... much. The traffic light turns green, but the car in front won't move in time. I'm sorry. My headlights flash on the car ahead of me, as I embrace for impact.
What am I doing? I floor the brakes and feel myself losing control of the car. It won’t be enough time to stop. I manage to turn the steering wheel over to the left going into the opposite side of traffic, narrowly avoid hitting driver in front. Luckily there’s no oncoming traffic and I quickly pass to get back in the lane. That was so fucking close. I feel something in the corner of my eyes, hmm odd, seems like I was crying. I wipe away the tears and look around. Nothing. I look forward and check the edge of my eyesight. Nothing. Rearview mirror...nothing. I let out a sigh of relief. It’s gone. I’ll be all right. I’m alone. But... what was it? I try not to think about it too much as I drive the rest of the way home. My movements are automatic, my mind feels somewhere else entirely. Before I know it, I'm in my parking spot.
Although it took me less time than usual to get home, the drive felt ten times as long. I'm exhausted. I get out of the car and make my way up the stairs. I walk through the dark apartment, past the kitchen and the living room. I can hear my roommate playing video games, but I'm not really in the mood anymore. I move by quietly, and slip inside my room. Leaving the lights off, I kick off my shoes and slide headfirst into bed. I lay face down and let out a large sigh into my pillow. What a day. It'd been a good day, right? Yeah, it was. I think.
Suddenly, I feel something heavy cause a depression on both sides of the bed. Before I can move the weight shifts to on top of me, pinning me down. Oh no... it’s here. I feel hollow inside. I can't move, I can't yell. I … can't do anything. All I can do is lay there as I feel a pair of hands grab me on each of my ankles. I feel its icy skeletal fingers slowly slide upwards and inwards, wrapping around me like snakes. They lovingly caress the back of my legs, my back, and then come to rest on my shoulders. As I lay motionless, I can feel my heartbeat pound and pound away in my head. I thought I was safe. I thought I was rid of it, but at the end of the day it was just waiting for me. The only movement I manage to make is a flinch as I feel the long fingers slide against my neck, move up to my head and start to press down. I know it’s over. At my acceptance, the shadow gladly pushes me all the way into the darkness. As the pain starts to go away, I can feel drops of tears forming at the edge of my eyes.
Hello anyone, hope you enjoy my story, let me know what you think.
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from Short Stories https://ift.tt/2BYU4BN
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