My Randoms

Writing Prompt #1

"Well, this is a nice change of scenery."

"It's a prison cell."

"I was being sarcastic," I snapped at the girl who was the prime reason I, a humble hermit, was locked in confinement. 

My name is Irwin Lewis.  I'm twenty-five years old and haven't been out of my apartment room for over a year.  I work as a game tester and programmer, specifically when people find issues they can't solve I'm the person they tend to contact.   

My friends, all online associates, have repeatedly informed me that I could be using my coding/computer abilities for a more paying job like hacking or security coding. Unfortunately, I don't like people and have no interest in moving from my comfy, rotatable chair and computer screen.

Thus, when a year came around, I dreaded the fact my normal delivery man was sick and being the paranoid hermit I was, I wouldn't trust anyone else to deliver my supplies.  So, I emerged from my home to venture into the horror that is my reality.  

 I had my sweater drawn up and hands twitching in my pockets when I exited into dangerous territory.  I continuously looked around, paranoid that someone would attack me.  I was already anxious and sweaty by the time I entered the brightly lit store. Thankfully, I made the correct choice in wearing my prescription sunglasses.  With shaky hands, I grabbed a cart and quickly made my rounds to grab the supplies I needed. Going off the list that was tucked in my sweater pocket.

 I felt like I was underwater, vision swimming and movements were slower as if I was fighting to move them.  My breathing was as laboured as the rest of me.  I knew I was a mess.   Five minutes later, I'd gotten everything on the list.  Well hopefully everything, it was a blur. I probably ended up putting unneeded things into the cart in my rush.   Either way, I got everything checked out, paid and got out of there as quickly as I could.  I hated checking out the most, they just stare at you.  That intense heat only made me sweat more and glare at the ground, trying not to crumble into an anxious pile of mush.

I could only breath slightly clearer when I exited the store where I was greeted by the crisp, sharp cool night and freezing breeze.  My arms' circulation was cut by the bags of groceries and other supplies I needed wrapping around my flesh. 

Fighting, I quickly glanced around, nibbling on my lower lip.  Without bothering to remove my glasses, I started towards the apartment building I lived in. 

My fluttering footsteps clapped against the cement as I made my way towards home.  Chills crawled up my spine along with goosebumps rose from my previous attempt to dispell heat. 

I continued my way, coming by an alley just a block away from the building.  Catching a flicker of movement in the corner of my darkened gaze.  I lifted my gaze from the sidewalk and fully towards the alley.  

Standing there, I saw three large men, I didn't pay them much attention since I just didn't care.  However, I noticed that those three had cornered a girl.  I couldn't tell her age or anything, all I knew was that she was short and wearing unusual clothing.  I wasn't too sure but it was odd.  Even me, a hermit could tell that.  Either way, it seemed like she was in trouble and I wasn't the heroic type.  So I planned on continuing past and call for help when I was home and had a phone.  

I looked back down to the ground and quickened my pace past them.  Well, that was the idea until I found myself struggling to remain on my feet when what felt like a wrecking ball knocked into my side.  

My bags rustled in a result of nearly tipping over and sharply looked to my side to see the small girl with wild curly locks clinging to my side.  My breath hitched and my anxiety rose as I realized those three men were stalking towards me now, looking very pissed off.