The apparition of Hills House

The Meet

"Julie, don't forget to lock up for the night!"
Mrs. miller shouted from the front.

"I won't." I yelled back.

I heard the faint click of the door; Mrs. Millers presence gone. I'm the only person in the shop now until closing.

I let out a deep sigh. Only five more hours until closing.

Normally I'd be ecstatic being alone during this time; but not since lately. A continuous sense of apprehensiveness plagued the back of my mind, making the small hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The feeling of me being watched at all hours of the day and even when I sleep makes my stomach turn. I haven't been able to get a proper rest for almost a week now.

I shake my head; clearing my mind of the matter and focus on the task at hand. I needed to focus.

As time went on, I was relaxed. Several customers came in and I was more myself but as it came to closing; that dreadful feeling came back worse than before. I was on alert.
No customers were left. I looked around the cafe; no one. I placed my fingers to my temples. I was going insane on a feeling that wasn't proven with facts.

I hurried along with what needs to be done.

I walked back home. The brisk winds were slightly calmer tonight, the air was scented with crisp leaves; the season changing to fall. I loved the autumn time. Brought back memories of a happier time and place. I smiled at the thought.

"What's got you all smiley about?"

I jumped, about to punch whoever snuck up on me until I saw the face the voice belonged to.

"John! You know how I am when I get scared; why would you do that to me!" I laughed while shoving him playfully.

John is a dear friend of mine, going back four years. Slightly shorter than I but full of personality and fun; the greatest person anyone could ever meet. And quite the prankster.

"Saw you walking by yourself and wanted to tag along; make sure you got home safe. " He said shuffling his hands in his pockets.

"And that also gave you the excuse to scare the living crap out of me? How generous of you. Such a gentleman." I laughed.

I was on my phone as we came to the corner of the street. Due to my not paying attention I bumped into someone.

I began to apologize to the person in front of me and looked up to see the most piercing brown eyes I've ever seen. He was dressed in a suit and tie, a trench coat over his shoulders with a silver linked chain holding it closed. Dark hair brushed back neatly and leather gloves. His face was something out of an old Noir film, chiseled with a strong jawline like a Greek statue. Flawless.

He held his hand out to steady me and it was like a spark. But it wasn't comforting, no. The sense of dread washed over me like a wave; like a familiar friend that wasn't welcomed or invited into a home. The same feeling I've had for a week; magnified one hundred times over.
And this man made it so. Yet I never met him in my life.

It wasn't until I looked at him again, I noticed him staring at me, looking bewildered by my presence. He held my hand longer than expected and just looked at me; eyes roaming my facial features, his eyes screaming as if he knew me from somewhere. He then let go and walked into his car where two men awaited him and drove off.

"Well, isn't that rude. The guy could've at least said something instead of looking at you like a creep. You, ok?" John asked. Concern was evident in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm ok. I just want to get home and sleep."

We continued to walk quickly down the pavement.

That man looked as though he knew me from somewhere; and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched again but this time it was closer.