It had just started to rain, just as I opened the door. I cursed under my breath as the door to the café swung shut, closing me off from the warm comfort inside, abandoning me to the cold rain outside. I pulled up the hood to my knit sweater, pulling it over my hair. My boots echoed on the cement as I made my way down the street. I looked around at the rain hitting the ground, reflecting off the light produced from the lamps that lined the road. It was officially dark out. The cars that were driving by had their headlights on as they made a beeline home after a long day.
The number of the people on the street shrunk as the time passed. People just wanted to get home, as did I. There were footsteps behind me, heavier and louder. It sounded like the person was wearing boots and a chain. I kept my eyesight ahead, focusing my ears on the sounds coming from behind me. Their pace wasn't the same as mine; they kept their own stride, the chain hitting their clothes with every step. They sniffled lightly and I heard them pull their jacket closer around them as it rained. Their phone began ringing, making them groan as if they were annoyed. I realized it was a man. He didn't answer his phone, simply ended the call and jammed his phone back in his pocket.
I had made it to the corner of the street and stopped, waiting for the light to change. I grew annoyed with the constant rain pulling my hair down to stick to my face. I covered my hand with the sleeve of my sweater and brushed my hair aside, scoffing, annoyed.
There was a low laugh coming from next to me. It was a short laugh that blended in with the rain. "Don't like the rain much, do you…?"
I turned my head, slightly startled. It was the man that had been behind me. He was a lot shorter than I would have liked to imagine, only up to my shoulders. My eyes finally rested on his face as he smiled gently at me. I couldn't help but smile back. "Oh, uh… haha, I don't mind the rain. I would just rather be at home instead of getting soaked out here."
The man smiled wider as his eyes closed. He laughed gently and tilted his head to the side as he looked back up at me. His hair fell away from his face, revealing beautiful, bright brown eyes. His smile was gentle and his features were soft. He flipped his hair out of his face, revealing five piercings on his right ear as he turned his head to look back across the street. "I hear that one. I didn't even know it was supposed to rain."
I could only smile. He was so small and adorable. I kept looking him over secretly, not wanting to be obvious. I watched him stare at the light, waiting for it to turn. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, the light turned red, the traffic stopped and the sign flashed for us to cross the road. The man took a step forward into the street, holding a hand up for me. "May I walk you across the street?"
His smile was so inviting, how could I say no? I gently took his hand and blushed as he pulled me with him. We walked side by side, hand in hand, our steps in sync. We made it to the other side as the traffic began to flow again. I turned to the stranger and smiled. "Thank you, sir. That was very kind of you. You don't meet very many nice people anymore." I offered a warm smile. "Well… goodnight." I bowed then pulled away, turning to walk to my house.
His grip on my hand tightened. I stopped and turned back to look at him. I tilted my head gently as he pulled me close to him. He took both of my wrists in his hands, looking up into my eyes. They frightened me. His eyes were not kind and gentle anymore, they were harsh and cold. The rain flowed down his face as he smiled greedily. "You are not going anywhere."
I looked at him, confused and terrified. I pulled away again, more forcefully this time. He only pulled me tighter. The front of my waist leaned against his as he quickly wrapped his arms around my lower back. I felt my heart pound and my throat tighten as my thoughts raced. What did he want with me? Why was he doing this? Who was this man?
My thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of a sharp object being pressed into my stomach. I looked down quickly, jumping back and realizing what it was. He gripped a knife, a sharp one. I felt my eyes flood with tears at the realization of how serious he truly was.
He scoffed softly. "Who said I was a nice person? You shouldn't be so easy to put your trust in someone." He paused eerily. "… you could get hurt that way."