Second chances

10

The night was quiet, save for the muffled hum of distant traffic and the faint scuff of your shoes on the pavement. You'd just wrapped up dinner with a friend of a friend, someone who'd promised good conversation and a bit of distraction. And for a while, it worked. You'd laughed, shared stories, and let yourself forget the tangled mess that your relationship with Katie had become.

But as you made your way home alone, the silence felt heavier, a sense of unease creeping over you. It was late, the streets almost deserted, and soon enough, you felt it: the unsettling presence of someone behind you, footsteps matching yours at an unnerving rhythm.

Your heart raced, a knot of fear tightening in your chest. You sped up, glancing over your shoulder, but the figure remained just a few paces behind, keeping the same pace.

Without a second thought, you pulled out your phone, hands shaking as you swiped to your contacts. You needed someone, anyone—but your mind blanked. There was only one name, one person who jumped to the forefront.

Katie.

Your thumb hovered for just a second before you pressed Call, the phone ringing in your ear as you hurried down the street, praying she'd pick up.

On the third ring, she answered. "Hey, what's goin' on?"

Her familiar voice, rough with sleep but immediately alert, brought a strange surge of comfort.

"Katie," you whispered, barely able to keep the panic out of your voice. "I... I think someone's following me."

There was a beat of silence, and then her voice sharpened. "Where are ya?"

You rattled off the street name, glancing over your shoulder again to see the figure still shadowing you at a distance. "I'm a few blocks from home, but I don't think I can make it..."

"Stay on the line with me," she said, her voice firm, all traces of sleep gone. "Keep talkin', darlin'. Yer alright. Yer gonna be alright."

You nodded, breath coming in short, panicked bursts. "I—I don't know what to do."

Katie's voice softened, the steadiness in her tone an anchor. "Yer doin' fine. Just keep movin'. I'm on me way, yeah? I'll be there soon."

You clung to her words, focusing on the steady rhythm of her voice as you kept walking, your pulse thudding in your ears. Every few steps, you glanced back, heart sinking each time you saw the figure still trailing you, closer than before.

"What's... what's he look like?" Katie asked, her voice calm but laced with a tension you'd rarely heard from her.

You took a shaky breath, trying to remember any details. "Tall, dark jacket... he's been following me since I left the restaurant."

Katie let out a low curse under her breath. "I'll be there in five. Just keep talkin'. Can ya see any shops nearby? Somewhere public?"

You looked around, but it was a quiet street, most places closed this time of night. "No, it's just... empty."

"Alright. Keep walkin' toward me. I'm comin', darlin', promise."

Her words washed over you, steady and reassuring, and you felt a flicker of relief. She'd always had that effect on you, a grounding presence even when things were at their worst.

"Do you see him still?" she asked after a moment, her voice tighter.

You dared another glance. The man had slowed, his figure half-shrouded in shadow. "Yes. He's... he's still there."

Katie let out another muttered curse. "Alright, just a bit longer. I'm almost there."

The next few minutes felt like an eternity, your entire focus on Katie's voice in your ear, on the sound of her breaths and the low, comforting words she kept murmuring to keep you calm.

Finally, just as the anxiety was beginning to spike again, you heard her say, "Look up. D'ya see me?"

You glanced up the street and felt a rush of relief at the sight of her, jogging toward you with that determined look in her eyes. You sped up, hurrying toward her, and she met you halfway, her arms wrapping around you protectively as she led you away from the figure in the shadows.

"You're alright, darlin'," she murmured, her arms still wrapped tightly around you. "I gotcha now. Yer safe."

The man turned away, disappearing down a side street, and you slumped against Katie, the tension melting as you clung to her. She held you close, her grip steady, reassuring.

After a long moment, she pulled back, studying your face with a concerned frown. "Are ya alright? Did he hurt ya?"

You shook your head, swallowing past the lump in your throat. "No. I just... I didn't know who else to call."

Katie's expression softened, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "Ya can always call me, darlin'. No matter what."

You looked away, emotions swirling in a confusing mix of gratitude and regret. "Thanks, Katie."

She gave you a small smile, brushing a strand of hair back from your face. "Let's get ya home, yeah?"

You nodded, falling into step beside her as she guided you back. Neither of you spoke on the walk, the quiet stretching between you in a way that felt both comforting and painful.

When you reached your door, you turned to her, words of thanks stuck in your throat. But she just gave you a small smile, her hand resting briefly on your shoulder.

"Get some rest, darlin'. I'll check on ya tomorrow, alright?"

You managed a small nod, watching her walk away with a lingering ache in your chest. Even with all the distance and complications, Katie was still the person you'd call in your darkest moments. And somehow, that made it both harder and easier to let her go.