Jessica
Memoir: “I am a vessel of imagination”
The Lurking Shadow
The tranquil feeling in the cool, night air is suddenly replaced with a sense of fear. As I walk down the empty street to reach my house, goosebumps start crawling up and down my arms. The feeling of someone watching me is so intense, I speed up my pace. Terror seems to pour out of me as I constantly turn around, only to be met with a ghostly feeling of someone lurking behind me. My footsteps on the pavement and my heartbeat increasing are the only sounds I hear. I can feel my eyes growing wider as I stop dead in my tracks. The bush directly beside me shook just the slightest, causing my breathing to increase out of fear of what could possibly be hidden behind the overgrown bush. Without a warning, a boney, black cat jumps out from within the bush. In an attempt to jump back, I trip and land painfully on my bottom. The cat’s glowing emerald eyes stare back at me with curiosity. I let out a shaky laugh as I realize that my fear was for nothing. I slowly get back up and continue my walk with ease.
“Woo, that was crazy,” I whisper with a twinge of relief. Reimagining the previous events, trying to make sense of everything, I didn’t even realize that I stood outside of my apartment building until I came face-to-face with my red, worn-down door. I grab my keyring that contains only one key: a copper-tone key that unlocks my apartment door. As I enter my apartment, a cold breeze runs through my long blond hair, casting it across my face. Closing the front door with a soft thump and a small click of the light-switch being flipped up, I move the irritating strand of hair out of my face. A harsh, yellow glow illuminates the room and casts shadows, making the room seem smaller than it really is. With a weighted sigh, I carelessly drop my keys onto the nearby counter and collapse onto the dark red, frayed couch. I throw my arm over my face and close my eyes, trying to slow the beating of my racing heart. The sound of movement behind me draws my attention away from my chaotic heart and to the tan curtain that covers an old window. I watch the curtains blow away from the open window as if the Earth let out a mighty breath and being drawn back to it. I watch this cycle of the Earth’s breathings for a few moments until I regretfully rise from the couch to close the window. After a few tugs, I successfully close the window and turn the rusty latch. Movement outside draws my attention away from the window and to a streetlamp across the street. Behind the lamp exists a shadowy figure, in all black clothing, and annoying shadows shield his face, making it nearly impossible to clearly see him. I can’t see his face, but I know that he can see me; that he’s watching me. After what feels like hours of staring, the figure turns on his heels and walks down the blackened street, becoming one of the shadows in the night. No longer feeling safe, I pull the curtains in front of the window with shaky hands. Thoughts overwhelm my mind and I collapse to the ground, leaning against the wall.
“There had been someone following me earlier,” I whisper, with fear laced in my words.
To Be Continued . . .
The Lurking Shadow
The tranquil feeling in the cool, night air is suddenly replaced with a sense of fear. As I walk down the empty street to reach my house, goosebumps start crawling up and down my arms. The feeling of someone watching me is so intense, I speed up my pace. Terror seems to pour out of me as I constantly turn around, only to be met with a ghostly feeling of someone lurking behind me. My footsteps on the pavement and my heartbeat increasing are the only sounds I hear. I can feel my eyes growing wider as I stop dead in my tracks. The bush directly beside me shook just the slightest, causing my breathing to increase out of fear of what could possibly be hidden behind the overgrown bush. Without a warning, a boney, black cat jumps out from within the bush. In an attempt to jump back, I trip and land painfully on my bottom. The cat’s glowing emerald eyes stare back at me with curiosity. I let out a shaky laugh as I realize that my fear was for nothing. I slowly get back up and continue my walk with ease.
“Woo, that was crazy,” I whisper with a twinge of relief. Reimagining the previous events, trying to make sense of everything, I didn’t even realize that I stood outside of my apartment building until I came face-to-face with my red, worn-down door. I grab my keyring that contains only one key: a copper-tone key that unlocks my apartment door. As I enter my apartment, a cold breeze runs through my long blond hair, casting it across my face. Closing the front door with a soft thump and a small click of the light-switch being flipped up, I move the irritating strand of hair out of my face. A harsh, yellow glow illuminates the room and casts shadows, making the room seem smaller than it really is. With a weighted sigh, I carelessly drop my keys onto the nearby counter and collapse onto the dark red, frayed couch. I throw my arm over my face and close my eyes, trying to slow the beating of my racing heart. The sound of movement behind me draws my attention away from my chaotic heart and to the tan curtain that covers an old window. I watch the curtains blow away from the open window as if the Earth let out a mighty breath and being drawn back to it. I watch this cycle of the Earth’s breathings for a few moments until I regretfully rise from the couch to close the window. After a few tugs, I successfully close the window and turn the rusty latch. Movement outside draws my attention away from the window and to a streetlamp across the street. Behind the lamp exists a shadowy figure, in all black clothing, and annoying shadows shield his face, making it nearly impossible to clearly see him. I can’t see his face, but I know that he can see me; that he’s watching me. After what feels like hours of staring, the figure turns on his heels and walks down the blackened street, becoming one of the shadows in the night. No longer feeling safe, I pull the curtains in front of the window with shaky hands. Thoughts overwhelm my mind and I collapse to the ground, leaning against the wall.
“There had been someone following me earlier,” I whisper, with fear laced in my words.
To Be Continued . . .