Beautifully Merciless

1. Put under lock and key

As I sat peacefully on my bed, the moon's light sent radiant off-white beams through the room of my window, creating an un-even checkered array on the floorboards. Dust particles floated endlessly through the air, and the waves of cool wind sent a refreshing feeling throughout my body.

What a beautiful night. I thought to myself.

As the night was closing in, it reminded me to check my phone for the time.
The screen was badly cracked. I sighed.
"Ugh, I should get that fixed soon." I told myself.

Probably wasn't going to anyways, to be honest.

I read the time. 8:13pm.
"What? It's dark already?"
I should probably go and cook something to eat...
I lazily got up, and opened the door of my room, hearing the timber wood slightly creak and headed downstairs to cook some dinner. I approached my fridge and opened it;
Refrigerated cereal - What the hell was I thinking? Probably soggy as hell.
Milk - Probably useful in recipes.
Vegetables - I need something to cook them with.
Sauces - Need something to put that with.
One single banana - I don't even remember buying bananas?!?

I close the fridge door, shaking my head in frustration.

Huh. I really do need to go outside and take care of my responsibilities.

"I need to quickly run down to the shops." I murmured.

Fast-walking to the coat hanger, I hastily put a warm jacket over my pajamas, my favourite sweatpants and then paired that with a pair of worn-out sneakers, and quickly jogged out of the house looking like a mess.

I hated walking down the quiet, dark streets alone. It sent chills all over my body. I was walking at a reasonable pace, but started walking faster when I felt like I was being watched.

"You're just thinking things, Y/N. Everything is just fine."

I tried convincing myself that it was just all in my head - but I just couldn't shake the feeling away.

My footsteps seemed to echo throughout the whole street, sending them into the dark abyss. Leaves and twigs gently toppled over due to the breeze softly appearing then disappearing every so often.

I could finally see the shop in sight now, and immediately felt a wave of relief wash over me. I stepped inside, and started shopping.

———————-

I was at the checkout line, with a shopping cart full of food and was about to pay for my groceries.

Suddenly, a tall man, dressed in all black entered the shop.

I don't know why, but he made me feel uneasy.

I quickly payed for my items and stepped out of the store, carrying all my shopping bags, making sure the man was still in my sight, before I couldn't see him anymore.
And so, I started fast-walking down the isolated, dark streets once again, when suddenly I could hear footsteps coming up behind behind me.
I averted my eyes backwards, making sure not be too obvious doing it.

It was the same man dressed in black.

Instantly, I could feel my heart start to quicken and my breaths became hitched and breathy - almost hyperventilating.
I fastened the pace of my walk, and the man did too.