9. Shadow, Shadow on the wall.

On the other side of the shop, Jason and three other colleges were standing outside smoking as usual. Jason seemed to be in a very good mood despite the little sleep he had the previous night. They were discussing their weekend adventures. Jason was not really paying much attention. Dan was telling them about his fishing trip with his two sons. A real fisherman's tale; about the big fish, the one that got away.

Ben exhaled some smoke next to him. The smoke drifted past Jason and directly in front of his face cloud of smoke stopped. It was as if time stood still for an instance. Jason stared at the smoke cloud hanging in front. Then Jason saw what looked like a face staring back at him in the smoke. A ripple of fear ran through him. He felt his arms fall next to his sides, num. His throat closed up and an icy sensation ran down his spin. He could not move he hardly breathed. The blood had drained from his face.

"Jason. Hey Jason, you ok?" it was Ben's voice next to him that brought him back to reality.

He blinked and the face was gone.

"Jason, you look like you've seen a ghost."

He jested and the others laughed. Jason stare turned to Ben. He had a dazed expression on his face. He seemed to be staring straight through Ben. As if in a daze Jason turned from them and automatically continued past them back into the shop.

"Jason!"

Ben called after him but he received no reaction.

"Hey man, are you ok?!"

"What's wrong with him?" he heard Walter ask.

"Don't know?" Ben replied.

Jason didn't stop until he reached the men's room. He entered the first empty stall and locked the door. His whole body was shaking as he half collapsed on the toilet seat. Panic threatened to overpower him. He breathing was fast and uneven. Struggling to gain control of himself, Jason sat there for several minute with his head between his legs.

When he had calmed down and stopped shaking he left the stall. He attempted to make sense of what he had seen. Jason splashed some water on his face. The cool water was refreshing and calming. He stared at himself in the mirror.

"You are losing it chum. It's just your imagination. Just keep it together."

He frowned

"Fuck now I'm talking to myself."

He looked at his own reflection and shook his head.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He returned to his station just in time to help with the first customers of the morning.

- o 0 o –

Later that afternoon just before closing Jason was busy writing some details of his last sale into the daily sales register. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a movement in his section but did not immediately react to it.

He wanted to finish the entry and also give the customer a change to brows before pouncing on him.

He noticed a shadow moving past him but did not look up.

"Jason" he heard a male voice call.

"Be right with you." He answered, rushing to finish the entry. Jason dropped the pen and looked up.

"What can I do for you?" his question fading into silence as her realised that there was no one around.

Puzzled he scanned the room for the voice that had called to him. He wanted to laugh at first believing that it was his college playing a practical joke on him.

"Alright you guys come on out, the joke is over."

No one answered. Jason felt the hair in his neck stand up, he could not explain the ominous feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Jason walked around his counter searching for the person that called him.

"Jason" Robert's familiar voice spoke behind him.

"Are you ready to go?"

Jason spun round to face Robert.

"Did you call me just now?"

"What do you mean?"

"About five minutes ago, did you call me?"

"No. I just came down. Jason what is going on?"

"Guess it was just my imagination." He said with a pretentious smile on his face.

"Everybody has already left and I have a date with Kara tonight. Are you ready?" Robert asked his friend but Jason stared at him without answering. Jason was wondering if it was just his imagination and then became aware of Robert's eyes on him.

"Is something wrong Jason?" he could hear the concern in Robert's voice. Jason smiled and shook his head quickly unwilling to burden Robert with his worries.

"No just didn't realize the time. Let me just get my car keys."

He grabbed his jacket that was hanging on the chair and rummaging through the pockets.

"Got it. So what are we waiting for? So you're seeing Kara again tonight. Just let me know if I can give you some pointer this time."

Jason attempted some weak humour as they headed for the door.

"I think I can handle it." Robert answered sarcastically and both laugh light heartedly

Five minutes later they where seated in the red M.G. Spitfire. Jason was not very talkative on the way to Robert's apartment.