Trapped in Plastic

The day started like any normal day. I woke up, had my coffee, and went to work. I worked as a sales clerk in a local clothing shop. Didn't pay the best, but at least it was something.  At the end of the day, my coworker reminded me that our boss wanted the back room cleaned out, so being the last one that leaves, it was my responsibility. Of course, no one stuck around to help me, why would they?

But how was the back room a mess? It's rarely ever used.

I wish the thought crossed my mind as I walked down the lonely hall only lit by a single dim light bulb hanging from the ceiling. The floor creaked beneath my feet. The closer I got to the room, the stronger my urge to turn around and run became. When I got to the door, I placed my hand on the handle and froze.

Did I just hear something heavy move on the other side? I felt like my heart was going to burst through my chest.

I took a deep breath and creaked the door open slowly. I took a peek inside and flipped on the light. There, I saw an old plastic mannequin lying on the ground. I chuckled at myself for getting scared of something as simple as a doll falling over.

I looked around and was instantly reminded of an old abandoned basement from horror movies.

"I'll just quickly clean up and leave. No harm in that, right?" I mumbled to myself nervously.

I picked up the mannequin and put it in the corner. A chill ran down my spine as I stared into its lifeless eyes. I turned it to face the wall and decided to ignore it and focus on what I was supposed to be doing. Although, no matter what I did or where I looked, I still couldn't shake the feeling I was being watched.

When I finished, I looked back at the mannequin. It was still facing the corner, but I noticed something I hadn't before, there was a long, thin crack on the back of its head. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I quickly shut off the light and closed the door behind me as I left. I breathed a sigh of relief as I let go of the handle and started back down the hall. That's when I heard it come from behind me.

BANG! CRASH!

I didn't turn around. I didn't look back. I just ran. I ran faster than I ever have before. I ran like my life depended on it.

I swiped the keys off of the front counter and sprinted out of the store. The only time I turned around was to lock the doors. I noticed the door to the back room, the one with the mannequin in it, was wide open.

Terrified, I sprinted to my car and drove straight home, where I was safe. Or so I thought.

I pulled into my driveway and sat there, trying to process what had just happened. I closed my eyes and sat there in complete silence. My chest felt like I had just come up to the surface after nearly drowning. I figured I was only tired and paranoid, so I got out of the car and started toward my front door.

When I looked up, I stopped in my tracks.

There was what looked like a person standing there. He wasn't moving. Just standing and staring at my front door.

"Excuse me?" I said nervously.

No answer.

"Is there a reason you're staring at my front door?"

Still no response. My heart began to palpitate.

I took a step closer. "If you continue to ignore me, I'm gonna have to call the cops."

Wait, is there something on the back of their head?

I squinted, trying to see what it was. It almost looked like a thin streak of dark hair. I did what was probably the most stupid thing I could have done and slowly started walking closer and closer to the figure.