Meori Apeuda

Chapter 16

Darkness had fallen outside and the rain had become stronger. Pulling my trolley behind me I slowly walked towards the playground. After leaving Jin-Ju and the restaurant I had strolled through the village, passing time. Pondering if I should seek shelter in a cafe, but without any money I didn't dare to enter. One major problem was that the battery of my phone had died on me and I probably wouldn't have a chance to charge it before tomorrow.

My clothes were completely soaked by now and I kinda looked forward to changing them as soon as I reached my hideout. The playground was on the outskirts of the village, in the opposite direction of the Karaoke Bar. I followed the main street, the wheels of my trolly clacked on the pavement. I was completely alone, no other person was outside which was no wonder, considering the weather. Or so I thought...

Shortly before I reached the playground I heard something behind me. The hairs in the back of my neck stood up and I held my breath. 'Please be an imagination, please be an imagination...' I prayed, but the sound repeated itself: A rough coughing, accompanied by a short chuckle.

Collecting every ounce of courage I had in me I turned around. Four figures stood about twenty feet behind me on the sidewalk. They were bulky and completely dressed in black, one wearing a beanie, the other three had thrown the hood of their sweaters up, shadowing their faces. How didn't I notice them earlier?

One of them said something and the others laughed darkly. My hands started trembling, but not from the cold. Not again, not again, not again... the same words repeated themselves in my head over and over again. I took a step backwards, my gaze fixed on them. They followed me.

Panickstricken I looked over my shoulder, desperately searching for a shop, a cafe, a simple house with someone at home to help me, but the area I was in seemed to be completely barren of social life. Tears ran down my face, disguised by the heavy rain.

The one with the beanie laughed throatily and then stretched his hand toward me, indicating with his index finger that I should come closer, making luring noises. My eyes widened. I knew them. Those were the guys from the bar. I felt nauseous and shook my head, tumbling further backwards. They copied each of my steps and I lost it. I let go of the handle of my trolley, spun around and started running.

Behind me I heard them do the same, chasing me down the road. After a few minutes my lungs burned like fire but I didn't dare to slow down or stop. I could hardly see because of the tears and the rain, fleeing half blind through the darkness. A light came from my left and I turned, crossed the road and stumbled towards the light, hoping for a cafe or something similar.

My cry, when I found that it was only the sign of a permanently closed supermarket, could only be described as desperate. The market was built in an U-Form, forming a dead end to my flight. I had led myself into a trap, and my lead was gone. A hand grabbed my shoulder and I spun around boxing blindly in the direction of my attacker.

He huffed when my fist hit his nose and let go off my shoulder. But my victory was useless, as his friends arrived and began to circle me in. My whole body was trembling and I felt like throwing up. No, no, no, no...

"Bad kitten." The one I had hit on the nose spat on the ground and came closer. I backed up, but his hand shot forward, grabbing my hair and pulling me close to him. I screamed, but he slapped me hard across my face, making me see stars for a few seconds. His buddy who stood behind me grabbed my upper arms and held me in place, chuckling darkly.

"Little girls shouldn't wander around all alone at night, that's dangerous. Where's your pretty boyfriend, huh?" the pierced guy asked, and bent closer, his finger trailing down my cheek and neck. He reeked of alcohol and shook me, still gripping my hair. I swatted at his arm, but it didn't impress him in any way.