I stepped along the pavement, the cold breeze flowing past me. It was very dark out tonight, apart from the illuminating glow of the lampposts above me. I shivered a little as it grew colder. Of course deciding to go to the shop at this time required a jacket, but I didn't think about it before. It was okay though, I was on my way back home now, carrying my shopping bags. I'm never usually outside this late by myself. The loneliness and the quietness was beginning to make me feel anxious, anything could happen now. I tried to distract myself by focusing on stepping over each crack in the concrete as I walked along it.
I noticed a figure walking towards me at a swifter pace. Cold sweat was forming at my forehead.
As he walked just in front of me, he sped up, running into me and knocking me back. He had grabbed both shopping bags out of my hands now. I heard a muffled whisper through his scarf, "don't make a fucking sound".
He dragged a knife out of his inside pocket and held it at me, the end pointing right at my neck.
In this fight or flight situation, I chose to run. I jumped backwards, avoiding any predictable attempts to stab me before sprinting past him. My breathe was heavy. My heart was pounding. I couldn't bring myself to look behind me as I ran, but over the alarmed beats of my chest I now heard footsteps behind me. I knew it was him again, I ran faster. Normally I wouldn't be able to run anywhere near as fast as this but I felt as though I could run like this all night.
As the sound of the footsteps grew shorter, I knew he was now further behind me. I took this opportunity to turn a sharp corner down another street before I felt he had gotten round the first one. I knew he would be turning down here too, though, so I had no choice but to try and hide in somebody's house. I chose the first house in sight, a white one that was straight ahead. I hopped up the front steps and banged on the door repetitively. The owner of the house was probably asleep at this time, but I had no time to take this into thought. My life mattered more than their sleep.
Miraculously, the door swung open with an aggressive force, beholding a tall man with an incredibly confused face. Without hesitation, I pushed past his arm that was holding the door and ran inside, causing the door to move out of his grasp and shut again.
I panted, my breathe shaky.
The man still stood there, dumbfounded.
"What the fuck?" Was the first thing he said.
"Listen" I pleaded, still gasping for air.
"I cant thank you enough"
There was another akward silence, giving me an opportunity to look at him properly. He was shirtless and his dirty blonde hair was messy, indicating I had probably just woken him up. The room was dark, but his eyes still pierced into mine in a lighter colour.
"Uhh" he thought, scratching his head, not knowing what to do with me.
"Can I stay here for a little bit?" It felt like I was blurting out everything I was saying.
Realisation shone over his face.
"You were being chased?"
I nodded, still shaking. The guy slightly opened his door again, just wide enough to stick his head through to scan the street.
"I don't see anyone..." he quietly told me, before pulling himself back inside and shutting the door again.
I breathed out with relief, looking up at the ceiling as I rested my tired, aching head on the back on his couch.
"Ill be on my way then. I'm very grateful"
I said, then looked to his naked torso "-and im sorry for waking you up at this time"
Noticing where I was looking, he quickly strided over and grabbed a blanket that he quickly tied around himself like a towel.
"Err its uh, no problem" he said awkwardly.
I quickly turned away, embarrassed.
He opened the door for me and I walked towards it. I looked out. It was still dark out, the same cold breeze brushed over my face, making my cheeks cold. Dejavu from before hit me. What if the guy was still out there? Surely he must be.
I looked back to the man. He looked at me impatiently. Obviously he wanted me to leave, but I was reluctant from going back out there. If that guy was still out there, my life was on the line. I stepped backwards, away from the door.
He looked confused again, but then sighed, insinuating he probably figured what I was thinking about.
"Listen, do you wanna stay the night?" He asked, with some reluctance.
That was music to my ears. My face lit up.
"Youre a miracle worker, sir" I told him.
He pursed his lips.
"Theres a uhh spare room upstairs. It's a bit messy but it'll do" he decided slowly.
I nodded and he lead me up his stairs and to the guest room. It was quite small, with a single bed and a little wooden wardrobe and beside table. Cardboard boxes were stacked around in big piles, leaving hardly any space to walk.
"Ehh its not great, but you're just staying the night, right?" He asked me asked both stood at the doorframe, looking into the room.
"No no, this is great" I said, and turned to him with a thankful smile. He just nodded again slightly.
"I never got your name?" He asked, after an awkward pause.
"Y/n. And you?"
"Felix"
"Felix? As in fix-it-felix from wreck it wralph?" I chuckled.
He didn't laugh at my joke. He kept the same displeased expression. Only a small huff of fake amusement was heard from him, causing another uncomfortable silence.
"Ah, you must get that a lot?" I said quietly, sucking air through gritted teeth.
"I don't. It was just a pretty bad joke" he said dryly, and walked away to his room, leaving me by myself at the guest room.
I couldn't decide if this guy was a total dickhead, or if I was coming across as sort of an asshole. Its not like I was trying to offend him or anything. Why would I? The dude literally just saved my ass. Maybe he's just sensitive...
I checked the time on my phone.
...or tired. Its literally 2am.
