Lena's eyes widened as the figure seemed to move closer, her heart racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline. She tried to stand still, to face whatever was happening, but her legs trembled beneath her. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.
She took a deep breath, attempting to steel herself, but her body betrayed her. Her feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her away from the shop and into the torrential rain. She knocked over her mother's display of fresh peppers, sending colorful bells and sweet mini-peppers crashing to the ground.
The people in the shop gasped in unison, their concern for Lena's well-being evident on their faces. "Lena, wait!" someone called out, but she didn't stop. She ran off into the rain, leaving behind a trail of questions, concerns, and a messy display of peppers.
As Lena fled into the rain, her mother, Rachel, rushed out of the shop, concern etched on her face. "Lena, stop! What's wrong?" she called out, but Lena didn't respond.
Lena's little sister, Chinwe, stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear. "Mommy, what's happening?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Rachel quickly ushered Chinwe back into the shop, trying to shield her from the chaos. "It's okay, sweetie, go back inside. I'll handle this," she said, trying to sound calmer than she felt.
Rachel stood in the doorway, her eyes fixed on Lena's retreating figure. "Lena, stop! Please talk to me!" she called out, but Lena didn't slow down.
With a worried glance, Rachel turned to a nearby customer, a trusted friend. "Sarah, can you please go after Lena and make sure she's okay? I can't leave the shop and Chinwe right now."
Sarah nodded and took off into the rain, following Lena's path. Rachel watched anxiously, hoping Lena would be found safe and sound.
Sarah splashed through the puddles, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of Lena. She finally spotted her a block away, huddled under an awning, trying to catch her breath.
As Sarah approached, Lena's eyes snapped open, her head whipping around swiftly, her gaze darting back and forth, ensuring she was safe. Her chest heaved, her breathing rapid, her body tense and alert.
Sarah slowed her pace, her expression softening. "Lena, sweetie, it's me, Sarah. You're okay now."
Lena's eyes locked onto Sarah's, her gaze searching, verifying that it was indeed her friend standing before her. Her body slowly relaxed, her breathing slowing, as she realized she was no longer in danger.
"Sarah," Lena whispered, her voice barely audible, her eyes welling up with tears. "I saw him. He's real. The one who...who haunts me."
Lena's voice cracked as she struggled to speak, her eyes pleading with Sarah to listen, to understand.
But Sarah gently interrupted, "Lena, we aren't in a movie, sweetie. There's no boogeyman or ghost haunting you. Let's take a deep breath and talk this through, okay?"
Lena's face fell, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and frustration. She grasped Sarah's arm, her grip tight, and pulled her close. "Look at me, Sarah," she urged, her voice low and intense. "Look into my eyes and tell me I'm not seeing things. Tell me I'm not going crazy."
YOU ARE READING
"In the Dark"
Science Fiction"What if the darkness that surrounds us is not just an absence of light, but a presence that whispers our deepest fears? What if the only way to find the truth is to embrace the shadows within? Join me on a journey to the depths of my mind, where th...
