Writing for Fun
February 2022
Pursued - Lynn Gale
A heavy footfall echoed throughout the dark, empty street. 'Don't panic, breathe,' I told myself as I picked up the pace. 'Just someone else who has missed the last train.'
Dark clouds rumbled overhead as the rain began to fall. The light breeze that felt refreshing when I began my walk home had whipped up into a rage, stinging my face.
I turned around. Did someone just dive into a shop doorway? I carried on at speed. Must Keep ahead of whoever was behind me.
I turned left, right, then right again and found myself back where I started from. 'What on earth! I must have have taken a wrong turn.'
Then I heard footsteps again, a faster, urgent pace.
I took another glance behind me. 'Yes, definitely someone in the distance, a dark shadowy figure, heading my way. Fear engulfed me. 'Who was following me? What did they want?'
If I could get some distance between us, I may be able to give them the slip. I began to run, legs pumping and feet splashing through the increasing puddles…
I raced to the end of the street and ducked into an alley. Pressed against the wall, heart beating like a drum solo at a rock concert, I tried to control my ragged breathing.
The rattle of a dustbin lid behind me, caused me to yelp in fear.
A large black rat jumped down and fled to a broken drain cover before disappearing from sight.
There, again. The loud, determined tread of someone determined to catch up with me. I must keep moving.
The rain was relentless, big round globules beating down on me, running down my face and obscuring the view ahead. The wind gathered momentum as paper coffee cups, chip cartons and other detritus were sucked up into mini tornadoes of discarded rubbish.
I stopped, and listened, frozen in fear. Above the sound of the wind and rain, something else.
Whump...whump...whump and getting closer.
'Move,' I told myself, but my legs were leaden, unable to lift my feet, I was stuck.
Hot breath caressed my neck, hands grabbed my shoulders, my arms flailed as I tried to fight off my pursuer.
'Sweetheart, wake up. You're having a nightmare.'
I opened my eyes, drenched in sweat. 'Help me,' I cried.
My partner peered down at me. 'It's only the tail end of storm Eunice, blowing a branch against the window.'
She laughed. 'And I did tell you not to finish off that Stilton before bed.'