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She sighs. “I’m Quinn.”
“Well, Quinn, tell me. How does a-”
“Look man, you aren’t the first and certainly won’t be the last guy to flirt with me tonight. If you aren’t going to order something, I’m going to have to ask you to leave me alone. I have a job to do.”
She won’t even give me an inch in this conversation. Her walls are up and they’re sturdy. How does a normal human get so strong and confident?
“I understand. Goodnight, Quinn.” My hunger hasn’t faded in the slightest. Quinn still intrigues me so. There is still so much I must learn.
3
QUINN
“Goodnight, Claire.”
I wave off the last of my coworkers as I lock the door to the bar behind me. Ultimately, it was just another standard day at work. Though two PEACE officers showing up was something at least a little different.
“Goodnight, Quinn. Are you sure you don’t need a ride home?” Claire flashes me a kind smile. I can tell she’s looking for a way to thank me for helping deal with those college boys. But it’s really not necessary.
“No, I don’t live far. Plus, I like the quiet walk this time of night.”
I watch Claire drive off and step out into the night. Late-night walks home are the one bit of peace and quiet I generally get. After the chaos of a shift at the bar, it’s a great way to calm down and start to relax.
Plus, it’s not like I’m in any rush to get back to my apartment. That crummy old place was just the cheapest option I could find without roommates. I’d much rather live in filth alone than with any roommates trying to be my friend.
As I walk, the hair on the back of my neck starts to stand up. I can’t shake this feeling that I’m being watched. Like there is a pair of eyes somewhere in the night watching my every move. I subtly look around me. I’m alone on this street.
This wouldn’t be the first time someone has tried to follow me home from the bar. I tend to make some enemies, considering how many people I embarrass by easily tossing them out. But those guys are always drunk off their ass. I typically hear them stumbling behind me a block away. But not tonight.
Maybe I’m just being paranoid. That must be it. I should get home and go to bed. I pick up the pace and hurry home. But that feeling of being watched doesn’t fade.
No matter how fast I move down the street. the sense that I’m being stalked persists. Something in the night has chosen me as its next target.
All my self-preservation instincts are on fire. It’s like this threat is in my periphery, always just out of sight. An unseen enemy is coming for me, and it could soon end in a fight.
Suddenly, it dawns on me. I feel alive. Of course, I’m not afraid. I don’t get scared. But I wouldn’t expect to feel this way in a moment like this.
A rush like this is new to me. I like it. My heart is racing at a glorious pace like never before. What is going on?
A startling, sudden banging noise rings out into the night. I jump into a fighting stance with my hands clenched into fists. I look around me and see nothing. A car must have backfired a block over or something.
But still, my heart is going even faster. The rush spreads across every inch of my body. I’ve never felt like this in my life. I think I could take on a whole army right now. I’m so very much alive.
Do… Do I like having this hidden stalker? My brain flashes with images of confronting whoever is hunting me in the night. I can almost already feel my fist against their face.
Yes, that’s what I want. This is why I’m getting so excited now. It’s so thrilling.
I keep walking. Trying to hold in my excitement is harder than I would’ve thought. Getting to knock out a stalker would be a great end to this night.
I need to act like I’m unaware, draw whoever this is out. Then I’ll get my chance to confront them. Oh, I can’t wait. This amazing rush continues to radiate throughout my body.
That feeling that I’m being watched persists. My fists tighten again in giddy anticipation. Soon. I’ll get my chance soon.
Whoever, or whatever, this guy is, they aren’t the standard drunk following me. That’s for sure. Good. That means our fight will be even more fun.
Behind me, I hear footsteps on the pavement. Here they come. I spin around, fists ready for a fight.
But no one is there. I’m still alone on this street. Did I imagine that sound?
