Monday morning was the bane of most people’s weeks, but not for Rebecca Walsh.She walked from the train station to her work with a spring in her step.Monday morning meant another chance to help the world by doing work that was more important than almost anything else.Keeping criminals off the street.
Of course, she wasn’t directly responsible for that, but if she put in the time and effort, then, one day, she could directly influence who went to jail and who was freed.For now, she could only do her best as a law clerk to support Judge Greene in his decision-making.
He was prolific.Rebecca felt the bounce in her step before it became more bouncy as she thought about the good fortune that had been bestowed upon her by whatever Gods of law there were.She had never been very religious, but she had been chosen from dozens of potential candidates to be Judge Greene’s clerk, and she couldn’t believe that was down to anything but the best luck she’d ever had.
Then something came over her, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to prickle.She’d had the feeling before on multiple occasions.She might not have been religious, but she was spiritual, and she knew that something bad was approaching.
She quickened her step, trying to outrun what was chasing her.
The sun was gently rising on some unseen horizon, but for all intents and purposes, it might as well have been night still with how dark the streets were.And, as Rebecca realized, looking around, it was empty.
That was out of the ordinary.She always arrived for work early on Monday mornings, thirty minutes before she arrived on other days of the week, and there were always people on the street.That morning, however, it was usually quiet as if whatever was following her had conspired with everyone else in the city and convinced them to stay home.
Rebecca looked over her shoulder and behind to find no one and nothing there.It would have been more comforting to find something, but she suddenly felt very alone.She quickened her step, trying to outrun the invisible menace and get to the courthouse and to safety.
Judge Greene wouldn’t be in for another hour, and that gave her time to get his chambers ready for his arrival: a fresh pot of coffee in the kitchen area that could be shared with anyone else who was in early, and printouts of all the important documents that he needed to go through for the day.
Rebecca stopped dead and spun around.She lifted her hands, ready to fend off whoever was following her, but again, found no one there.She took a breath and quickly returned to her route.She couldn’t shake the feeling and wasn’t often wrong when the hairs on the back of her neck pricked.
She turned the corner and—
Rebecca gasped as the hand clamped over her mouth.
As quickly as the hand covered her mouth, it was removed.
"I’m sorry," the man said."I thought you were going to scream, and…"
"And what, Justin?"Rebecca demanded."And what?You thought you would manhandle me, and that was the best course of action?"
"I don't know," he complained."You don't answer any of my texts or calls, so what am I supposed to do?"
"Not accost me at six am on the street when I’m walking alone," she shouted at him."Is this your first day on Earth?Do you really think it’s appropriate for a guy to grab a woman when she’s out walking alone?Especially when it’s still dark?"
"I—" Juston started.
"And do you remember when I told you in confidence about my friend who was attacked on the street, and they didn’t ever prosecute her attacker, and he’s still out there wandering the streets, and she’s afraid to go anywhere alone?Do you remember that, Justin?Do you remember how I told you that I was also scared to walk the streets alone?Does that ring a bell?"
"It’s me," Juston claimed."I’d never hurt you."
"You just grabbed me and silenced me," Rebecca hissed."You’re stalking me at six in the morning.Do you see how this all looks?"
"You won't reply to my text and calls," Justin moaned.
"Yes, great," Rebecca seethed."Then you can do whatever the heck you want, right?You do remember that we broke up, don't you?Do you remember that, Justin?"
Rebecca had to bite her tongue some.She was angry at him, and rightfully so, but she had to remind herself that she was out there alone, and if Justin was crazy enough to be waiting near the courthouse for her, he might be crazy enough to do more than just that.
"I don't accept the breakup," Justin said.
"You don't accept it," Rebecca scoffed.She couldn’t bite her tongue."I don't care what you accept and don't accept.No, do you know what?"Rebecca placed her hands on her hips and leaned slightly to the side."I do, actually.It’s very important to me that you understand we’re not a thing anymore.We were never good together, and it wasn’t ever going to work out between us.I don't want to be with you, Justin, and you can't be out here in the morning waiting for me.That’s a little crazy."
"Oh, so I’m crazy now?"he asked.
Rebecca was thankful to see the man up ahead cross the street and walk toward them.She didn't think Justin would ever do something to hurt her, but she also didn't think he would wait on the street for her before dawn because she didn’t answer his texts.
"A little bit," Rebecca admitted."You can't do this.It stops now.I need to get to work."
"Yeah, with Judge Greene," Juston said.
