Generation Infinosil

Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty Two - Kaitlyn

2050

I wandered around the field for quite some time, partly because it allowed me to pretend that the events at Shane's house hadn't happened; being in one of the last places that Shane and I were happy together eased the pain somewhat, I could just remember those happy moments and forget the rest. But it was also partly because I've had enough of those 'stranger danger' assemblies at school to know that if someone is watching you, you don't lead them to your house by walking home.

I told myself that I was probably just over-thinking and that it was safe to assume that the suspect was of no real threat, but I would rather be overly cautious than be too calm about it. I told myself "He's probably just wondering what an earth I'm doing, walking around an empty field on my own, I would probably stop and stare too." There was something about his all-black, pristine uniform and obedient posture though that told me that this man wasn't someone to mess with, he meant business and he wasn't the kind of person to waste time staring at a random stranger for no personal gain.

This was all based on suspicion of course, and I had no solid evidence to prove that he was anyone to be afraid of. As evening fell and the sky darkened into a smudge of greys and blues, I suddenly realised my own exhaustion; The happenings of the day had left me emotionally drained. I just wanted to succumb to my exhaustion and dive into a heap of duvets and pillows, where I could sleep for as long as I wished.

I was considering calling my Dad on my mobile and asking him to pick me up, at least that way, if this guy really was someone to worry about, hopefully seeing me with my Dad would scare him away. Apparently though, there was no need, for as I looked up from my phone to see if the man was still lurking in the shadows, I was greeted by a landscape that lacked his presence. However, not entirely convinced that I was safe and in no danger, I made sure to run home as fast as my legs could carry me.

When I arrived home, I was sweating from head to toe and it wasn't particularly pleasant. But I was home safe, and that's what mattered the most to me at that moment. As I ran, I continuously looked back to check for any signs of being followed, and every time I judged there to be no one behind me. My Mum opened the door and looked more than slightly panicked, asking hurried questions like 'what happened?' And 'are you okay?' I explained that I was just being paranoid because I thought someone was following me. My Dad rushed into the hallway when he heard my Mum fussing, and asked what was going on. I tried to explain it to my Dad calmly but my Mum's terrorised expression wasn't helping much and I felt the urge to run to my room; I didn't want a fuss, I just wanted sleep.

I forced myself to stay downstairs with my parents until I had managed to reassure them that I was most likely just overreacting. It look longer than I anticipated, meaning that when I eventually made it to my room, I practically collapsed on my bed as soon as I had showered and pulled on a night dress.

I fell straight to sleep almost as soon as my head touched the pillow. Almost. I had a small amount of time to reflect on my day, time in which I shed a few tears at the thought of what had happened with Shane, time that ended in me falling into a whirl of confused dreams and troubled sleep.