Short Story: Out Of The Darkness

I first noticed the two men reflected in a shop window as I passed by. They were standing by a shop front across the street, both wearing dark macintoshes; their faces hidden under the kind of hats men wore in the fifties. It was becoming late and the crowds had thinned considerably. A light shower of rain had given the road a sheen that reflected the lights of the city, highlighting the shadowy darkness of the shop front opposite, from where a cigarette glowed. Nothing seemed amiss, the fact that they were there had nothing to do with me, or so I thought, until I realised they were always there, lurking close by, no matter where I went.

I stopped for coffee and after ordering, saw them sitting at a table not too far from me. This is too much of a coincidence I thought feeling uneasy. Gathering up my parcels, I paid the bill and walked out onto the pavement. I heard the scrape of their chairs on the cafe floor, as I shut the door behind me. I tried hard to control the fear that threatened to overtake me and resisted the impulse to run. I'll hail a taxi I decided instead of walking to my home. Cars streaked by as I walked, but no taxis. I walked faster. What could they want? I could sense their presence behind me and stepped up my pace. Still no taxis. I would have to make it by foot. Would I arrive safely home?

The acrid smell of cigarette smoke wafted in the air. I was too frightened to look back and began to run in the now empty street. I careered around the corner my parcels falling to the ground. I left them behind and zigzagged through the streets that jigsawed to home. Houses still had their lights on. I could hear the sound of televisions blaring as I passed. It started to rain, heavily this time. I ran through puddles not caring that I was drenched from head to foot, my hair hanging in wet strands around my face. I was nearly there my lungs at bursting point, when I stumbled and scraped my knee. I picked myself up. I could feel the warm trickle of blood oozing down my leg. Sobbing I reached our front gate, wrenched it open and flew towards the front porch. The house was in darkness. While I fumbled for my keys I heard a cough and looked up.

There before me was one of them. My heart lurched! How could this have been? They had been behind me. He laughed, his face evil. Hands closed around my neck. I tried to scream, but the pressure on my throat was too great. I slowly sank, my head swimming, down, down, down into darkness, and oblivion...



My shoulder hurt. Someone was shaking it hard. 'Wake-up, Liz! Wake-up! You’re dreaming!' said Mum.