It all started with a simple stop to the shop on our way to the beach on a beautiful summer’s day, I remember it like it was yesterday. The sunrays slightly caressing my skin while I sat in the car with my sister, we were on vacation. She drove as I stare outside through the window listening to some music. Music has always been a major part of my life; some people claim it takes you out of reality into a whole new world. My experience has always been different. I find it elevates my reality making life so much more enjoyable.
We got to the store and as I stepped out of the car, I felt the coldness of the aircon get lost in the heat. We just needed to get some snacks, I was craving some biltong and cooldrink like always.
My sister waiting in the car while I headed down to the shop, it was quite a big store and she parked extremely far so I needed to walk for a while. I hate it when people stare at me, but it always seems to happen, too often if you ask me. I always counterattack it by staring back at the person directly into their eyes which scares them off and they immediately look away. Like any other day I got those stares yet again however this time my counterattack did not work at all.
It was a guy, weirdly enough. A tall, dark skinned guy with dreadlocks wearing a white hoodie. He stared at me with a face I have never seen before, a wandering face. I stared back at him thinking I could use my famous counterattack move but this time it did not work, instead he continued to look at me with those mysterious eyes. I then immediately looked away. One would have thought I got shy and I looked away because he was standing with a group of friends, but I did not, it was an unknown feeling that I have never experienced before.
My walk slowly turned into a little run to the shop as I could feel my cheeks going red.
I quickly grabbed my cravings and started making my way to the car. The group of guys were not at the same spot I saw them anymore. My walk began getting slower as I searched for them. I turned my head a few times to check where they were and that is when I heard it. Three loud shots going off, screams and people running in a panic. I turned around fast and saw them, this time in masks recognizing them from their clothing only.
I froze not knowing what I just witnessed.
My legs were jelly as I just stood there watching them run into my direction.
Another shot!
And then they scattered.
The shot seemed to reach a store manager of some sort who tried chasing them after the robbed the store which I found out much later, he fell to the ground and I gasp. Something that I slightly regret doing instantly as one of them turned around. I thought I was about to die. He just stared at me, I noticed the white hoodie from earlier and I remembered those eyes. It was him.
“Ruby!” a cry from my sister woke up my brain as I started running toward her. The passenger door was already opened, and I climbed in.
We sped off...
I looked back to see if he was still standing there but nothing, it was probably the sirens that scared him off.
“Met you at the shop, sun was getting hot. I’m lonely”
