Life As We Know It

A Mysterious Encounter

Authors note: the guy in the picture is the mystery guy she meets, no name till next chapter.
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It's Christmas eve tomorrow, I haven't even gotten "my new family" anything to thank them. Mom sent me some money for Christmas with a rather generic card, but I don't know what to get them still. Shopping is hard, I don't ever do it, I don't enjoy leaving the house unless I'm with Cassie. I can't have her come along though and know what I'm getting her. Such a pain. I mean I live in California so it doesn't snow or really get that cold compared to other places. That doesn't mean I have to like what I call "winter time" though.

So here I am at the dreaded mall. I hate shopping, so so much. And of course they're is like a million people here. It's so hot out today too, wearing all black isn't always a good idea. It's not even usually this hot in Dec here. I was practically dying. I walk into a few stores, but nothing is really catching my eye, or is my terrible shopping skills. I see a vending machine in the corner and buy a water and just rest in the shade for a minute. I know it seems like I haven't been shopping long, but anything past 10 minutes is long.
I see this dark shop across my way. It has very dark black curtains, no one's really paying attention to it. I bet there's no one in there then either. The shop's name is interesting too, Essence. It definitely intrigued me, so I decided to go in. Plus then I'd be shaded from the sun. I push open one curtain, just kind of peeking in. It was definitely dark, but it also had these medieval candles hanging on the walls. Which didn't exactly brighten up enough to see very much, but I guess it worked okay. On my left there were books, very old looking, some in what looked like as different languages. On the right there were clothes and jewelry, all dark, seemed kinda Gothic and punk. 5 steps or so in front of me was a big glass table with more jewelry. It looked very old and some interesting weapons. This shop had a very antique, but creepy vibe. In the back were these dark red thick curtains, a little sign above them saying private do not enter. That definitely made me more curious and I was right, there was no one in here. Like at all. How does the owner keep people from just taking things if he's not around? So weird.
I walk toward the back, something was leading me to those red curtains. I was so close to them, I lightly touched them. So nervous that something inside of me said don't go in there. But then another part of me is saying to go in, no one's looking. I started to peel back the curtain, I peaked through the small bit that I opened. It was a dark lit hallway, even darker than the store. I squinted and realized at the end of that hallway was another door. Dark red. Mysterious. But what's in there. Something no one is supposed to see? What if it's nothing but a bathroom? There's really no way of knowing, unless I go see for myself.

"What're you doing here?" Whispered a voice. I screamed and jumped backed against the wall almost knocking down the painting on it. All I could see was the outline of a person, but I couldn't tell what they looked like. I think I passed out, cause that's all I remember. Next thing I know I'm laying on a couch. I start to sit up and realize I don't know where I am. Then all of the sudden this guy walks in.
I stand up, "where am I? And who are you? I was just at the mall and now I'm in someone's home I've never been to!" I was definitely freaked out a little. I got a little dizzy and had to sit back down. "Yeah I'd be careful, you fainted. If you don't remember" he said as he sat down in the chair beside me. He had some kind of accent, it was soothing but also made me nervous. "I brought you to my home. I don't know where you live and you wouldn't wake up right away. You've been out for a few hours" he said staring at me. It scared me, it was like he was looking into my soul, but I couldn't look away from those piercing eyes. "Oh, um, well thank you... I should probably go home though it must be pretty late" I stammered. I couldn't read him, he seemed different than the other men in this city. "I can take you home if you'd like" he got up and reached out his hand. Like I was suppose to grab it, grab this strange man's hand. But I did, I took it. I told him where I lived and we got into his very nice convertible. I don't know much about cars and I can't tell you what it was, but it did seem like something from a different era. He must be rich, he had a nice car and a very nice place.
The whole time we drove he had a straight face, not once a smile. We didn't talk on the way and I'm sure it was only 20 minute drive, but it felt like forever. Like we were almost frozen in time. "Thank you for the ride and um, making sure I was okay when I fainted" I smiled getting out of the car. "My pleasure" he replied. Then I closed the door and he drove away, into the night. Then he was gone. It felt like a dream almost. Barely exchanged words, but my heart was beating faster for some reason. He knows where I live now, I wonder if I'll ever see him again.
Did he own that store or did he just happen to walk in not long after me. I didn't even think of asking. I walk inside and its dark, everyone must be asleep. I go up to my room and fell down on my bed. I heard someone coming up the steps, it's Cassie. "Where have you been?" She asked in a worried tone as she walked over and sat down by me. I told her everything that happened, this dream like day. "It doesn't feel real" I told her. She stared at me like she was thinking of what to even say, "well sometimes weird stuff does happen, it is California. I'm just glad you're okay." We laid in my bed and she fell asleep pretty fast. I got up and looked out my window, it was a full moon. Maybe that's why this weird thing happened to me. But nothing like this has ever happened before. I wish I would've asked for his name. Even if I never saw him again, I don't think I could ever forget this day.