A Devil's Delicacy

The Man

It was a dark night in Kelseyville. Aniya was gently swinging on a swing in a local playground not too far from her house. "Your song" by Elton John blasting in her ears as she bobs her head to the beat. The night was warm, a slight breeze tickling her tan skin. It was comforting, yet something was keeping her from complete peace. She felt uneasiness plague her mood. She felt as though someone was watching her. Brushing it off she continued to swing on the swing while enjoying the few minutes she had before returning home for the night. Yet she still couldn't shake off the feeling of eyes on her. She slowed the swing and looked around for any answers. Perhaps it was an owl or some animal examining her? She finally noticed something she hadn't seen this whole time. A man was standing not far from her, watching her every move. She stared back, squinting in the darkness to possible see his face. But, unfortunately the shadows were in his favor, keeping his identity hidden. This was her cue to make her way home. She walked the direction towards her home, pretending to be busy on her phone as some sort of deterrent, but still felt those eyes. Aniya turned around to see him walking not too far behind her, acting like he didn't even see her. She quickened her pace, only for him to match her speed. She continued to quicken to a slight jog before finally making it home. She finally made it safe. She decided to keep this to herself, seeing as this could just have been a one time thing. "I shouldn't have been out that late anyway." She thought and brushed it off going to bed.

The next day, Aniya went back to that same park. This time being surrounded by children and their attentive parents, feeling slightly more safe that it is also daylight. She was enjoying her time there. Until she felt that same feeling again, someone was watching her. She looked around hoping it was a parent or child, only for her eyes to land on the same man from last night. He did not speak nor did he move, he just stood their, watching. Instead of his eyes just on her, they were observing all of the children in the playground. She felt uneasy once again, only to return home out of fear. He once again followed her, but not as far as he did the night before. Once reaching the safety of her house she sat in her room contemplating whether she will even be able to return to that park. If she had stayed longer what would have happened that night? Would she have disappeared? She never saw that man after that.