She knew which way to go anyway; she'd been around the area enough times before. But just not on foot, a nd definitely not on her own.
She knew the grocery store was down the road and around the corner; and that it was open all hours, with the exception of public holidays.
The area was silent - too silent. There should have at least been the distant roaring of tyres on the road, or a dog barking, or something...
But there wasn't. There was nothing. Just an unnerving, ominous silence.
Julie reached the end of the road and turned the corner.
There it was; the grocery store. And she'd reached it without being kidnapped or killed.
She stepped in, smelling the air freshener, hearing the quiet tinkling of the bell, taking everything in for the first time.
"Hello, darlin'," the man at the counter drawled. "What might you be wantin' at this time of night?"
Julie blushed.
"Um... Could I please have some... Chewing gum?"
She hauled the bag on her back down to find her money.
"'Course. Any particular flavor?"
"Um... Mint?" Could I have a big pack as well, please?"
"Sure. That'll be £1.45,"
"Do you have change?"
She handed over the £10 note.
The man took the note and fished into the cash box. He counted the money carefully and handed it back.
"£9.55 change," he said as he dipped underneath the counter. He took out the chewing gum and handed it over.
"Come again."
He smiled; not a particularly charming one but it seemed genuine enough.
"Thank you," Julie replied, smiling back and clutching the gum tightly.
She stepped out of the door and smiled.
Now all she had to do was get home.
She realized that the street lights were now on. They hadn't been on before, but now they illuminated the darkness like yellow fireflies.
"Were they delayed?" She asked herself. She shivered. "Well, at least they're on now-"
She heard a clatter that seemed to come from the garden of the house nearest to her.
She froze.
There was another; it seemed to be getting closer.
She heard footsteps - no doubt coming towards her.
She saw a silhouette, of a man: big and bulky. She heard the heavy breathing and could smell a hint of alcohol.
She pulled the bag closer to her and held her breath.
She got ready to run.
What ever she did, she had to hide her terror.
But nothing would hide the fact that she knew that she wasn't alone...
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