The Black Rose

Eyes in the darkness

Anna

                I’m at a supermarket. There are several rows of organized food products. I’m on the cereal aisle deciding whether or not to buy the Kellogg’s Special-K that’s nearly five dollars.  I wear black shoes, dark blue jeans and a cloudy black t-shirt. My hair is brown roots faded to golden blond tips. My eye glasses are crooked. I stare attentively at the boxes of cereal in front of me and only slightly notice the man who’s just entered the isle.

The man looks to be in his late thirties. He has black chin length hair and he’s clean shaved. A scar on each cheek makes his face unforgettable. He wears black shoes, light blue jeans and a medium length leather jacket zipped up with just a peek of a green dress shirt underneath. His eyes gaze at the opposite row of cereal boxes, occasionally glancing at me.

Deciding against buying the cereal, I move on to the frozen foods isle. Only slightly aware that another shopper is following me. I gather about five of the Smart-Ones T.V. dinners into my arms. Upon grabbing one more of my favorites (Tuna Noodle Gratin) I finally notice him.

He’s standing just a few freezer doors down from me. The door is propped open and he’s leaning against the freezer case as if he’s looking for something, but his eyes are on me. I stare back at him, my mouth slightly open in minor shock of his appearance. His scars do not frighten me but rather infatuate me. I’m curious how anyone as cute as he is could stare at me so intently.

His eyes seem to travel down my body and I feel locked in his gaze. As if suddenly realizing he was staring, his eyes blink up to mine and then look back to the contents of the freezer. I stare a second longer and then, realizing nothing will come from staring, I exit the aisle.

With my selected items, I head to the register, barely aware this man is following me at a distance. In the checkout line I can feel someone’s eyes on me. I glance over my shoulder and see him again. He’s in the next line over. His eyes so deep and dark I have to wonder what his thoughts are. I offer a smile but his eyes dart away. I can’t help noticing he’s only buying a lighter.

I purchase my items and exit the store. It’s dark outside; the parking lot is lit by only a few dim orange lights and contains a small amount of cars. I walk to my car and notice the sound of footsteps behind me. The flick of a lighter makes me realize who it is. Even though my pace does not quicken, I still manage to reach my car before he does.

Once in my car I glance around and notice he was only walking to his tan pick-up truck. I start my engine and pull out of the parking space. As I drive past his truck I spot his eyes in his driver side mirror. He’s looking at me. His engine starts and I see him in my rear-view. He follows me out of the lot.

I’m stopped at a red light about to turn onto the highway. His truck sits behind my car. I can’t see his face in the shadows of the night, but I know he’s watching me, his haunting gaze blocking any other thoughts. The light turns green and it takes me a second to register it. As I enter the highway, other cars surround me and I’m sure I might lose him.

I arrive home; almost thankful my apartment complex is gated. His truck disappeared from my view and I was both relieved and disappointed. In my apartment I put away my newly acquired food and get ready for bed.

I sit here on my bed, writing this and thinking, who is this man? Why did it appear he was following me? Absentmindedly I glance out my window and notice a figure in the shadows. Am I imagining this? The figure moves, it steps into the light. The man from the store, a cigarette between his lips, stares up at my window. If I can see him, he can see me. I notice the slightest of smiles on his lips. He tips his head to me and then walks off.