Flash Fiction (Stories under 1000 words)

Stalker

It was only a couple months ago when I found out what I could do. At first I thought I was dreaming. Then I thought I was crazy. Then finally I came to realize it was real. I have superpowers. The only person who knows is my best friend, Gabe.

“So are you going to go to somebody about it, or what are you going to do?” he says over the phone. 

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet,” I answer as I make my way from my work building to my car. 

“Let me guess. You’re afraid that once all your friends find out, they’ll think you’re some kind of freak, and then the ‘popular kids’ won’t hang out with you anymore.”

“Screw you, Gabe! That’s not what this is about!”

“Well then what is it about Cloe? You can look like anyone or anything you want to! Do you know what you can do with that kind of power?”

“I know,” I sigh, jamming my key into the car door. “I just don’t want anyone to know yet. It doesn’t feel…safe.”

“What do you mean?” He sounds worried. 

“I’m not sure.” I look around, feeling goosebumps travel up my spine. “Lately I’ve just felt...like I’m being watched.”

“What, you mean like a stalker?”

“I guess. I think they want what I have Gabe. And I’m not so sure I’m willing to give it up.”

“But didn’t you say before-”

“I know,” I say, cutting him off. “But I’ve been learning lately. And I think if I can control it, I don’t have to worry about coming off as some sort of freak. I mean, maybe it could turn out to be useful.”

I hear the smile in his voice as I plop into the driver’s seat. “I think it’s already useful.” 

I smile at Gabe’s words, remembering why he’s my best friend, even though most of the kids at school consider him a freak and a loser. 

“Look I gotta go, but I’ll talk to you later. Alright?”

“Yeah,” he replies. “And Cloe, be careful alright.”

“Always.”

After my conversation with Gabe I started feel a little better. He’s always made me feel safe and secure. But that night, as I finish up some work on my essay for my philosophy class, I feel those goosebumps again. Only it’s worse this time. I’m alone in my apartment, and no one would hear me now if I screamed. 

I can hear the creaking floorboards beneath my bed. All of sudden I wish I never moved out of my parents house at 18. Slowly and quietly I get up, and make my way to the kitchen. As I get closer, I can just make out footsteps in the hallway. I slowly slide a knife out of the kitchen drawer and make my way to the living room. That’s when I hear the door knob jiggling. 

I quick hide behind the couch, keeping a tight grip on my knife. I hear the locks moving, the door knob turning. Then the lights click on. I pounce. 

Gabe and I simultaneously scream, him dropping a paper bag full of groceries. He covers his face with his hands, and I lower my knife when I see that it’s him. 

He lowers his hands and holds his stomach tightly, taking heavy breaths. 

“You nearly gave me a heart attack!” he screams. 

“Me? You scared me to death!” I throw the knife onto the couch and kneel to start picking up his groceries. As he joins me I say, “Why didn’t you call?”

“I didn’t think about it. I’m sorry. I thought you might like some company tonight, being that you’ve been so paranoid lately.” 

I smile at my friend as we both stand, picking up the rest of the groceries. He wears his usual sweater vest, thick-rimmed glasses, his sleek hair combed to one side. An awkward look to most people, but it brings me comfort.

“Thank you,” I say with a sigh, and he returns my smile. He sets the bag of groceries on the counter, and then holds his arms open for a hug. I fall into the safety of his arms. I’m not scared anymore. 

I wake in a cold sweat. The moon sending an eerie glow over my room. My apartment is dark, silent, but something’s wrong. I know it this time. 

I let the world sail above me as I shift into a mouse, something I only recently learned to do. I crawl across the floor, “as quiet as a mouse”, until I see a light. The bathroom light sends fear through my little body, but as I enter, it’s empty. Not a trace of anyone. I slowly shift back to my normal self, and then move the shower curtain to be sure, but no one’s there. Maybe I’m just being paranoid again. 

I look to the mirror. I see him, standing behind me in the shadows. A shrouded figure, with matted hair and a dark jacket. Those goosebumps sail up my back and over my arms. 

“Who are you?” I whisper. 

“I was hoping you’d be asleep by now,” the familiar voice says. 

I look at him closer. “Gabe?”

An invisible force sends me flying back, and I hit the wall hard. I slump to the ground in pain; his footsteps near me. I try to move away, but he grabs me with utter strength. His hand clasps around my throat, and he lifts me against the wall at least a foot off the ground. I grab at the hand around my neck, choking me, but he’s stronger than I am. As I look into his face, he seems like a different person, but I know it’s Gabriel. My best friend. 

“I’m sorry Cloe,” he says, no emotion on his face. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way.”

“Why?” I manage to choke out. 

“Well it’s just like you said,” he smirks. “I want what you have.”