A distraction, A Stalker

1

It started with a presence. I felt eyes on me, always. A sticky substance that would never wash off. Glued to my skin. The reach was long- and constant. I thought at first it had been a mistake, the bags of groceries left at my door, but it couldn't just be a simple coincidence. It had to be nothing other than a stalker.

The constant reminder that I was being watched gave me anxiety, and pulled me further into the shell I had already created. I became constantly wary of who was around me, where I was, have I seen them before? Does that look normal? Constantly questioning myself led me to suffer and overthink- I hated it.

I didn't know what to do. It seemed as if it always followed me, this- this thing. The fear never wavering. A constant pressure on my shoulders.

However, in time, I became used to it. As if a ghosts' presence watched over me, a haunting that wouldn't leave until its desires were filled.

Today started like any other.

The light behind my eyelids pierced my skin and awoke me from my somewhat deep sleep. As the sleep washed away from my features, I started up at my apartment ceiling and pondered whether it was really worth all this to go to work.

My flat was small, quaint, and the best money could buy if you were a second-year university student with a small job and an even smaller student loan. There was nothing wrong with it per se, except the fact that I was so alone. It was odd to think that just home could give you company. Clearly, I was lacking something.

The mornings thoughts flew over me just as I rolled out of bed. As I made my bed, I checked my phone and viewed the daily affairs of the world. As a history and politics student, it was deemed necessary. Personally, I couldn't care less. I'd rather just complete the essays and coursework in due time and call it a day.

My morning routine consisted of a simple bathroom routine and breakfast. I never bothered to pack lunch, knowing that there would be a brown sack with a small box of juice on my counter the next morning. I pulled on my work clothes, not forgetting the tag that read 'Eden'.

It felt stupid, but in my head, I felt as if the ghost needed some sort of appeasement. I breathed a soft 'thank you' into the empty air.

I finally head out to start my day at the local supermarket. I really did hate it there; I hated the people more. Thankfully because I worked later shifts, I was allowed to plug in my headphones and ignore the world as I restocked shelves like an autonomous robot.

December the first also marked the first day of the winter term, but also the first day in which I purposely missed my morning lectures and seminars. Thus, began the annual breakdown in the events preceding the day in which my father died and was replaced by a flower.

I say this ironically. My mother moved on and found liberation via the rainbow, she had come out as lesbian. Whilst I respected and loved her for finally coming out, she replaced my father with a woman called Daisy, perhaps the most common person I had ever met.

Regardless, I moved on, moved out to University and straight into a new home. My job, bursary from the school combined with some funds from my mother kept me afloat, and really, that's all I needed. Of course, this didn't account for the ever-looming presence that came soon after.

My thoughts overflowed and before I knew it I reached the small grocery shop, 'Vita'. My manager, Adam, who was a self-proclaimed vegan expert and tree hugger smiled as he saw me and opened his large mouth. Unfortunately, I had not yet put in my headphones, so I couldn't drown him out or ignore him.

'Eden! How do you like this new avocado aisle I'm working on? I feel like avocados need to be organised by how ripe they are, you know? Some people like to watch avocados go ripe and others don't. It's so particular!'. He laughed, as if he said the world's greatest joke.