My work day was long, I had to work a double due to a call off, which happened more frequently than I care to admit. The shop closed at eight and by the time I did the clean up and register it was almost nine. I sighed and grabbed up my purse and threw my apron into the linen bag tucked in the corner of the office. Without another thought I left the office and locked the door and went to pull the blinds on the windows and door.
To me, it made no sense because with the blinds shut people would know we where closed and could simply attempt to break in. Though unfortunately they would be very disappointed. I turned to leave and locked the outside door, turning around quickly and looking up at the darkness that was devouring what little bit of sunlight remained.
I turned down the street to start my walk back home, trying to ignore the fact that it seemed like a totally different world at night. To put it lightly, the city at night was a fester of sex workers, drugs and violence. I can't speak for the whole city but I witnessed enough during my 20 minute adventure to work and back.
I held my purse in front of me as tightly as I could muster. Careful not to meet anyones eyes as I picked up the pace. Passing the many alley ways that littered the area I could hear whispers and offers of the wonderful street pharmacists that dealt. All one could do is ignore it and keep moving, show little to no emotion and truck on through.
I was about half way home when I had to stop at a light, I found myself pushing the "walk" button aggressively so that I could cross the road. I could feel myself starting to get anxious as the sky was completely engulfed in the darkness, very rarely did I ever find myself having to walk this late at night.
"Why the rush gorgeous? The nights still young!" A voice suddenly appeared behind me.
I froze and felt my body tense up. I could almost feel his breath on me and could smell the booze that leaked from his pores. I kept silent and looked forward awaiting for the go ahead to cross. I didn't want to turn around or engage him in anyway. It appeared he didn't appreciate my silence.
"Too good to talk to me aye?" His tone changed. "Don't you know when someone talks to you, you should at least say something?"
"Ugh." I shakily murmured just as the walk light lit up.
Without another thought I quickly sprinted across the road, but not without feeling a hand grab onto my arm. On impulse I shouted and ripped my arm from his grip and bolted down the sidewalk and into an alley. I could hear his voice growing angry and shouting for me to stop, I decided to go down a few more alleys almost into a maze so I know he couldn't follow.
All I could see was darkness and brick buildings along with some faint lighting here and there. It felt safer than being out in the open. I wasn't that far from home, I could easily take a short cut through the alleys and get to my apartment in no time. I tightened my grip on my purse and looked all around me listening intently to any movement. After a few minutes of silence and getting my breathing under control I decided I needed to get home as soon as I could.
Taking a few turns and seeming to relax a bit, I thought I was in the clear. Until I hear sobbing and pleading. FEAR. My instincts told me to hide and I couldn't help but tuck myself behind a dumpster. I peered around the corner of it and could faintly make out three dark figures, two of which were surround the other. They appeared to be men and the middle was on his knees looking up at them.
"Please god, I'm sorry I didn't mean it." He sobbed, his voice audibly shaking. "Give me a chance to prove it!"
One of the men looked down at him and tilted his head awkwardly.
"Seth, we know what you've been up too." The one on the left said monotone. "We've been watching you for months. Victor isn't too happy with you giving our secrets away like that."
I could see the man on the ground shaking, visible distraught. "Please Gavin they threatened me I didn't know what else to do. I swear to god I didn't fucking give them everything!"
"True and we don't think you will give them anything else either." He said matter of fact .
The man stopped sobbing and looked up at him questioning what he had meant. He looked to be a bit hopeful considering the situation. The man who was referred to as Gavin raised his hand and with a little slight of hand the man before him went silent. I could hear a gargle and he fell over on the ground, after a few seconds the man stopped moving.
I covered my mouth and muffled a scream my fight or flight response screaming at me to run. The two mens heads snapped up in peered in my direction. RUN.