The Awakening

18 - Constant Eyes

Avery sipped at her mocha, the steam wafted through the air, catching on the breeze and making a hasty retreat. She passed through the throng of traffic, people moved to accommodate her wake. As the holidays moved to the forefront, she found herself surrounded by happy people buying toys for their children. 

Avery could sense a constant set of eyes on her back and whenever she turned to look behind her, they diverted their gaze elsewhere. Her hair prickled, raising on the back of her neck and trailing down her arms. Avery pulled her arms tight over her chest, trying to pull warmth back onto herself.

As she locked the main door, she noticed a distinct uneasiness as she turned her back to the road as made the place secure. A sharp cold chill ran the length of her back. Her fingers shook as she pulled out the keys and placed them into her pocket. 

It was busy, coming into the holidays meant extra people that bustled about distracted from their current lives. It was plausible that she stood the victim of people watchers. A husband waiting for his wife shopping in a nearby store, glancing at people who passed by, to kill the time. But something told her she was not imagining it. Avery was certain someone was there, watching her and not by chance, she could just never place them. 

Avery kept this and the odd flipping of her stomach to herself. She didn't want to worry her mother. She had no tangible proof; just a gut feeling from deep inside.

Her mother didn't need that right now.

It made her uneasy and Avery was careful where she walked and so she fought through all the shoppers and kept herself visible. But they were growing sparse and Avery knew the trend would continue as she made her way home. The knot in her throat tightened and, she picked up the pace to match her beating heart.

That evening the shift was long at the diner. Two of the waitresses called in sick, so she pulled the lunch and dinner shift. Couples lined the booths on both walls, having her hop from one table to the next taking orders and dropping off plates.

She hadn't wanted to stay so late but before she realized it was going on eleven. Jess, the only other waitress on shift, begging her to stay. She was new and having a hard time keeping up. Avery only agreed because Jess added on the benefit of a lift home. However at the end of the night when Avery went to get her bag, it seemed she was the last one there.

Unsettled Avery called Jess. "Jess where are you? I thought you were giving me a lift back?"

"I thought you already gone. I looked for you but I had to rush home for the sitter or I would have to pay her overtime. I'd come back, but I'm just walking in the door now," Jess sounded apologetic and almost sincere, "and the baby's started crying."

"Don't worry about it. It's one of those things," Avery had hung up the phone with an uneasy feeling but did her best to hide it as she passed a group of half inebriated men on the street. Their out of tune voices and lewd eyes made her cringe, as she pulled her top closer and picked up the pace.

She searched through her contacts until she found the one she was looking for. She dialed Georgia's number, the line rung four times and before taking to the voicemail. "Georgia, it's Avery. I wondered if you were free and not gone to bed if it was possible for you to pick me up from the diner. I've just left and am heading down towards the shops. It's just I was meant to get a lift and they have left without me. Give me a call when you get this."

Avery knew Georgia wouldn't mind. It was hard to get a cab in these parts and everyone played taxi to everyone else. As Avery turned her head, she saw a looming shadow fall over the pavement. Her mouth went dry and she inhaled as the outline retreated and withdrew into the alleyway.

Meow. Then the sound of clattering of sharp nails as the cat scampered away and knocked over a trash can.

A house door slammed.

In the distance, a bottle broke on the pavement.

A metallic taste filled her mouth. Avery's skin crawled and itched. She started to run. Avery only made it a few paces before blazing headlights blinded her and a car door open.

"Avery, it's okay love. It's me Georgia. Are you alright love. You sounded panicked. I couldn't get you back on the phone but came straight away."

Swiftly, Avery got into the car, shutting the door behind her.

"Yes. Can we go now Georgia? I need to get home."Georgia nodded, putting her foot on the accelerator, "Of course dear. Your as white a sheet. Do you want to talk about it."

"Can we get home first."

"Of course love, and I'll make us a cup of tea."

Avery nodded. As Georgia turned she saw the fear in Avery's eyes. Without further ado, she shifted gears and sped up. A stillness fell over the car and the colour didn't return to Avery's face until the front door was firmly shut on Georgia's apartment and Avery was nursing a cup of promised tea.

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