Completely Normal

It was dark, as usual.

Midnight, not quite as usual.

Or at least nearing midnight, 'clock had said 11:27pm before I left, but I didn't feel like rummaging through my bag to check if it had passed 12 yet.

I was walking home from work, tired and a little annoyed. Just wanting to be home already, part of me wishing I was unemployed, again.

 I work as a custodian, just a 'fancy' term for janitor at this point, and since they only need me in after closing, I usually end up clocking out pretty late, but I hadn't been there this late since I started the job.

I would have left earlier if some idiot hadn't messed with the shop vacuum. Not only was the thing loud as all hell, but now it was being difficult too. Kept cutting out on me after overheating, didn't stop even when I changed the bag, filter, etc...And I'm pretty sure it didn't just decide to break down on it's own.

Some employee or maybe even a customer must have wondered over while I wasn't there. 'Oooooo, this isn't mine and I have no clue how to use it, so let's mess with it! Wheeeeeeee!'

...Or something like that.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. No amount of complaining would make things better, I just needed to relax. My ear buds were in the bag thumping lazily against my side, I could pull them out and let go a little...

...No, even now one of my mom's little 'codes' didn't break from my mind. 'Always stay alert when you're walking around the street.' 'Headphones off when you cross, what if something happens and you can't hear it?'

Like I'd be so absorbed in a podcast that I wouldn't notice a car skidding off the road or something. Pffft.

But, I still listened to her, still do now. Even though there's not a car in sight, and the road's fairly well lit, and this is all residential anyway. I walk, keeping my ear buds out and listen to the silence of the night instead. Completely alert, whether I want to be or not.

That wouldn't be the only thing Mom would have to say, if she was here.

I hadn't talked to her or Dad since I started college, I was out of the house and couldn't be happier. I'm not sure how long they'll let me continue with this act, though. I'm getting paranoid they may come busting through my dorm any day now.

They would probably yell about me for working so late, and as a glorified maid too. Like I'm supposed to be successful, rich by now, making 'em proud. Like I'm not just some college student with an art degree that practically ran away from home.

Maybe I was upset about a bit than a broken shop vacuum tonight.

Anyway, none of that really matters, does it? It's probably already midnight and I'm barely halfway to the grounds. Still walking through this empty feeling neighborhood, everyone either asleep or out somewhere.

These were all old houses, owned by old rich people. No wonder there'd be an art studio in need of a hapless college janitor 'round here. Everyone's either retired or a 'connoisseur' living in a college town to feel young, or to laugh at the poorer students.

...I should really work on being less cynical.

The night is lovely after all, if I keep looking down like this, I'd miss it. Though, 'lovely' might not be the exact term for tonight...It was dark and foreboding, pretty and all, but that doesn't change how creepy walking home this late is.

Wisps of cloud drifting in and out from in front of the moon, pretty, but chilling. A tall, yellow tinted lamp here and there lighting up the streets, or a bit of sidewalk that should really be replaced by now. The distant red and green glow of traffic lights further down the road, I'm not sure if I should fear that part of town more or less than this.

There it was brighter, more people, but this was just residential, down there more commercial. It'd be less likely for something to happen here, even though the quietness of these streets bothers me.

These streets have alleys too, behind the houses, hiding dumpsters or underground garages. Whatever the residents didn't want dirtying up their lawn.

I would glance down these alleys every now and then, just to check for cars turning onto the street or out of shear curiosity. Nothing much, except parked cars and the aforementioned dumpsters. A raccoon or two if things were exciting.

I had once accidentally left the side door open at the studio and a whole pack of raccoons...okay one, got in. Not sure how I kept my job after that debacle, but I'm not complaining.

End of the sidewalk, ramp to the street, stop, look both ways. Always a little careful, like Mom taught me when I was a kid. She would yell if I so much as put a toe in front of a moving car, let alone if I ran out in front of an unseen one. I was a law abiding citizen when it came to traffic, even if she had to drill that into me as a kid.

But, who could blame her? Her younger brother died that way.

Sidewalk changed to asphalt, cold and wet. It must have rained while I was working.

Back to sidewalk, a little closer home.

I was a little on edge, but who could blame me? If someone jumped me what did I have to defend myself, a bag? I wasn't tiny, but I didn't know how to fight, not a clue. If I actually got into a fight, even I would bet on the other guy.

But, that wasn't going to happen. Other than it being a little later at night, this was just like any other. I would walk home with only thoughts like these to keep me company, slump into bed and start the day over, normal routine.

There wasn't a mugger around every corner, and if there was, I feel like I would've meet one by now.

I wouldn't have to worry about any of this if I had my own car, even a bike would be better, but I don't have anything except my feet. Driving is dangerous and all, but it'd be better than wandering home like this.

An unexpected flash of lightning sends me jumping into he air, and cursing the scare. Goddammit, please don't rain on me now.

I don't think the thunder can hear me, or cares for that matter, better get home quick.

I pick up my pace a little, my footsteps adding to the few sounds of the night. Sounds of traffic in the distance. Maybe thirty more minutes, hopefully less.

Stroll across the street once more, looking both ways.

Glance down an ally, nothing.

Cross street, getting closer.

What am I afraid of? Tonight's just another normal night, nothing's happening.

A perfectly boring, lonely, quiet, normal night.

Glance down an ally, wouldn't want someone to pull out and, not paying attention, hit me.

Huh, there's a car down this one. Not parked in a driveway, but sitting idly next to a dumpster.

There's someone too, man maybe? Can't tell, though they're not that far away from me.

Tall, black sweater, shock of blonde hair on top, body bag in their arms, hollow eyes boring into mine.

Completely normal.