Slipping her arm into the sleeve of the coat, she pulled it tightly around her waist as she exited the diner, locking the door behind.  She was exhausted, having worked a double shift when Alice didn’t show up for work and her feet hurt terribly.  Her sole focus was on getting home and taking a nice long, hot bath.

The evening chill penetrate her clothing, making her shiver as she walked down the sidewalk.  Street lights reflected off the moisture left on the street from a rain shower an hour earlier and she was thankful that it wasn’t raining now.  Her apartment was only a few blocks to the south and she was already envisioning the warm water and cup of tea that she would enjoy before bed.

As she rounded a corner, something drew her attention and made her look down the street.  At the end of the block, she saw him and was instantly filled with apprehension.  She could only make out his silhouette as the light from the street light was behind him and shadows obscured his face.  While it was uncommon to cross paths with anyone during this time of the night as most people were already home and retiring for the evening, there he was.  Her apprehension came from the fact that he was just standing there, looking in her direction.  She stopped abruptly, and watched, a little voice in her mind screaming of danger.

Unsure of his intentions, she decided to take a less direct route to her little apartment and walked down to the following block.  As she walked, her eyes scanned, looking for anyone that may be able to offer her some protection as terror was welling up inside of her.  As she approached the end of the block, not a single car had passed and all of the businesses were shut down for the evening.  She was beginning to relax, chiding herself for overreacting.

As she turned the corner, she glanced back behind her and felt goose bumps across there entire body as the man was standing at the far corner, once again just standing and watching.  Was he following her?  Did she know him?  What were his intentions?  A new wave of terror filled her mind and she began to briskly walk down the sidewalk, knowing the stranger was following her.

The evening was quiet and her shoes made a rapid clicking sound that unnerved her as her breathing was beginning to come in gasps.  Partly from the exertion of the quick walk, but also from the fear that was making her rush even more, not knowing why he was following her.  

Glancing back, she was relieved to see no one behind her as she approached the intersection.  Glancing around the corner and seeing the street empty, she began to cross the street, glancing back once again and seeing know one.  Half was across, she looked to her right and he was there, matching her pace, walking parallel with her down the following block.  No longer following, now he was appearing to be trying to intercept her.

She could not run in her heels and her feet already hurt from the long day.  But in the back of her mind, she thought about removing her shoes so she could run.  But where would she run to at this time of the night?  And would he simply chase her down?

As she continued down the block, she was completely bathed in darkness with the street lights in this part of town only being placed at the intersections.  Afraid to slow down, she continued the brisk walk as her mind raced.  She had nothing in her purse to defend herself.  As she passed an alleyway, she spotted a few pieces of broken concrete and stopped.  Picking up a softball sized piece, having any type of make shift weapon brought back some of her confidence.  Keeping a firm grip on the chunk of concrete, she continued moving down the street as her heart beat faster and fast.

As she approached the next intersection, knowing she was only two blocks from the safety of her apartment, a thought came to her which sent a shiver through her mind.  Does he know where I live already?  Stopping at the end of the building, a large sign hung off the corner that said "PHARMACY".  The business had been closed for hours and the windows were dark.

She slowly peaked around the corner and down the street.  There was no sign of anyone, but she waited.  She worked to calm her nerves along with breathing, wondering if this was just a silly manifestation in her mind.  Seconds turned into minutes as she watched down the street for any sign of the man, still tightly griping the chunk of concrete.

More out of reflex, she did a brief glance back in the direction she had some and gasped.  A block away stood the man, standing in the middle of the sidewalk, watching her.  Instinctively, she began to run across the street in the opposite direction, desperately hoping she could stay ahead of him for another block and a half.

Stepping up onto the other curb, glancing back once again, she could see the man walking in her direction, his gait matching hers.  Then out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement.  Down the side street she had just crossed, another man crossed, matching her pace and walking parallel with her direction.  A cry escaped her lips before she could cover her mouth as both men were dressed identical.

As she ran, the terrifying thought came to her mind.  I'M THEIR PREY