Truth Sets You Free

Chapter 17

"Excuse me, miss."

I've heard that voice before, and I've heard it say those exact same words. My heart begins pounding harder than it was before as I glance around at my surroundings. There's no one else in this parking garage.

Just me and the somewhat familiar man that I've only encountered once before.

***flashback***

"I was wondering if I could use your phone to call a cab." He tells me, walking around the bench to sit down next to me. I quickly notice how tattered his clothing is, and how he reeks of cigarette smoke. "I'm, uh...running late for...work."

***

I think Jessica said that his name is Richard after I told her about running into him that day that I was late for work. The day that I was waiting for Harry to come pick me up. Harry was the one that got me out of this last time, and this time, I have no idea what to do.

At this point, I have no reason to be scared. He didn't try anything last time I saw him, and he hasn't tried anything this time. It could be an innocent confrontation, and I should treat it as such.

Under no circumstances does that mean that I'm letting my guard down. There is most definitely something very off about this man. Either way, I slowly turn on my heel to see him standing a few feet behind me. He looks just as dirty and smelly as he did before.

"He looks like a homeless alcoholic pedophile."

Harry's words about this man echo through my head as I try to remain calm in order to see what he wants.

Now that he has my attention, he takes a staggered step forward, and I observe his movements very carefully. His hands are shoved into his pockets, which has me slightly worried about what he might be concealing within them.

"How are you doing on this fine evening?" He asks casually. Last time we interacted, he needed something from me. This time, he's trying to make small talk. I'm not really sure which is a worse situation for me to be in.

"I'm doing well. You?" I try to keep things brief as he takes another unsettling step towards me.

"Doing just dandy." He smirks at me, making me feel even more uneasy as I glance behind him. I'm hoping to see someone else...anyone else because I don't like the thought of being alone in a dimly lit parking lot at night with this man. "Coming back from work?"

His question surprises me. My work shirt is currently covered with a jacket, so how would he know that? Maybe that was just a lucky guess, but I'm not very comfortable with the fact that he hit the nail right on the head.

"Uh...actually, yes I am." I nod confidently.

"You work at the animal shelter on the other side of town, right?"

Okay, this suddenly went from a seemingly innocent question to him having way more information about my life than a stranger whom I've met only twice should have. My pulse quickens as I become acutely aware of the fact that this man could very well be a threat. Before I thought that I was possibly being judgmental based on his attire and mannerisms, but he is very quickly living up to my prejudice.

"I've passed by it a couple of times and seen you in there." He explains when I don't respond to his invasive question. "I've been thinking about popping in...maybe getting a fish or something. My apartment gets pretty lonely."

With that last statement, he takes one more step, closing the gap between us so that he's merely a foot away from me. I want to take a step back and I know that I should, but I can't. My brain is too busy trying to figure out who this man is, what he wants, and how the hell I'm going to get out of this situation.