The Misogynist (Republished)

Creep

Work was exhausting as usual, but soon enough I was closing up the store, and waving the owner goodbye as I finished cleaning up. I only had to clean up and check the back room one last time before I could leave and lock up. It was well after eleven, and my car was the only one in the lot outside, the street lights outside being the only source of light at this hour. The small coffee shop was silent aside from my shuffling feet.

I slipped off my shoes, grabbing the broom and sweeping while I hummed absently. I was cold in my small shorts and t-shirt, but I just tried to hurry through my last chores so I could get home and into a nice, hot bath.

I froze as I heard a noise near the door.

I watched, holding my breath as I looked around and waited until I was sure there was nothing near the doors or windows of the shop before I cautiously finished sweeping. I felt weird - there was something about the silence that had chills running down my spine. I've never felt this... paranoid before, like someone was watching me.

I try to shake it off and focus back on half-assing my last duties, telling myself I'd come in early tomorrow to finish cleaning properly.

It's not until I'm in the back room, gathering my things and preparing to leave that I hear another noise.

This time it's nearby, and it almost sounds like a lock clicking.

I barely have time to close the door of the backroom as quietly as possible before I hear footsteps in the shop. I tiptoe around and wind up hiding behind a rack of shelves, decently hidden from view. I can feel sweat starting to build on my neck, my heart racing in my chest as I hold my breath. The steps abruptly stop in front of the door just feet away from me and I clench my eyes shut.

The door doesn't open. But the stranger doesn't move away, either. I hold my breath until I can't, my whole body tensed and frozen in fear.

A long moment passes in total silence.

I peek my eyes open and decide to lean around the shelves I'm stuck behind to see if the shadow of the stranger is still visible under the door, and I immediately notice the movement of the door knob. There's no sound, but I can see the knob turning bit by bit.

Whoever that is, they know I'm here.

I lean back to fully conceal myself again and all I can do is keep my breathing slow and start praying that my death isn't behind that door.

In all my time working at this shop, I've never dealt with anything like this. I've had a few people attempt to rob the store late at night but we never keep cash around once it gets dark and they never get much. More importantly, I've never been alone.

I have to clench my throat closed to keep from sobbing out in fear as the door slowly, so slowly, cracks open and the light from outside pours in.

I can hear my blood rushing behind my ears and I can feel my pulse jumping under my skin and I fear I'll pass out before this intruder can even make their next move.

Turns out I didn't have to wait long. They're much quicker about slipping inside and closing the door again. I can feel a tear falling as I try to stop my breathing in case they somehow didn't know I was here.

They shuffle around slowly, lifting things and putting them down, and I start to think maybe they don't know I'm here. I hear keys jingle as the person grabs my jacket, digging through the pockets and pulling out my belongings.

"Addison... I can't wait to see you again," I hear the strangers' deep, soft voice whisper into the dark room. I can't help but feel like the voice was familiar but I couldn't put a face to the voice. I certainly didn't think it was anyone I knew.