A/N: (A/U) Part I of IV- Entire Short Story - Michonne POV

Rated PG

"Wake Up!" I hear a familiar voice shout at me, "Wake Up Chonne," She might as well throw a bucket full of ice on my head.

"Goddamn it, I'm up!" I shout back at her.

"Don't get pissy with me, I'm just trying to help."

Maggie is my best friend, roommate and I work at the same company. We are both entry-level paralegals at a law firm. She was raised on a farm and is very well adjusted to getting up at the butt-crack of dawn.

I'm a night owl by nature and even if I wasn't, my anxiety wouldn't allow me to ever go to sleep at a decent hour, let alone get more than a few hours of sleep. Rubbing my eyes, I peer at the clock on my nightstand 7:20 AM – holy crap on a biscuit, I have 15 minutes to get ready.

Maggie was fully dressed with a cup of coffee in hand and all smiles as she hands it over me.

"Okay, I'm up thanks." I sit up and yawn.

"I packed us lunches if you hurry you won't have to eat your English muffin in the car, "she said, making her way out of my room.

"Thanks, Mags," I mumbled, standing to my feet.

I brush my teeth and take a quick shower, which always wakes me up. I skip the arm-pit shaving, lotion, and make-up, allowing me a moment to butter my muffin. Maggie and I clocked in without a minute to spare. Carol, our supervisor is great, but she has zero-tolerance for tardiness. If you clock in a minute late, you get reprimanded and three of those will get you canned, no exceptions. With the help of Maggie, I've only got one infraction in my two years with the firm. Honestly, without her, I don't know how I'd survive.

My parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning in our old house six years ago when I was 19. Spending the night with my boyfriend at the time saved my life. The memory of finding them in their bed has haunted me and most likely always will. All of my relatives live out of state and none of them really seemed eager to take me in; with the exception of my mom's sister aunt Jacqui. Aunt Jaqui is a realtor, living in Washington DC. She made all the arrangements for my parent's funeral and sold my parents' home and all the valuables. With the money, she opened an account for me. I had earned a two-year scholarship to college while in high school, and I had not yet reached my second year in college. Aunt Jaqui made all the arrangements for me to live in Atlanta, so I could finish out the year. We agreed that I would transfer the following year to live with her and her husband Bruce.

The last part would never come to happen. On Maggie's birthday, a day that was supposed to be amazing turned out to be one of the most humiliating days of my life. I opened a tab for dinner and drinks at our favorite hangout and when it was time to settle up, my card had declined.

I found out that my aunt had stolen all of my inheritance money; she had taken over 50k from me and several others, mostly family and friends. I found out that she and her husband Bruce had conned many people out of money and they are now on the run with over two million dollars. I was devastated.

Although Maggie and I have been close friends since high school, she became my sister that day. I told her what happened and she's been there for me ever since. Her whole family took me in. I've been slowly putting the pieces together, saving money, paying Maggie for gas and my share of the rent and utilities is all I spend money on. I shop at thrift stores and I spend very little on food. The majority of my money is being spent on education. I plan on becoming a lawyer one day.

After work, Maggie dropped me off at the grocery store. It was Friday and that's date night for her and Glen. This was no problem at all. The shopping plaza is only a few blocks away from the apartment complex, the weather is perfect today and it won't be dark for several hours. I walk around the strip mall just window shopping.

I go on a stroll pass Noah's Vape and Smoke's. He saw me and waved me in, trying to sell me those CBD gummies. The samples he gave me really helped my sleeping, but I really can't afford them right now. I wave back with a promise to return later. I walk past the nail salon, dry cleaners, cell phone, and insurance stores. I wanted to see what store had replaced Denise's Books.

Peering into the window of the new boutique called Tara's Togs, I start to daydream. The stunningly decorated store was lined wall to wall with lovely garments. The beautiful yellow sundress on the mannequin is chic, paired with the white sunglasses and a small white clutch makes the perfect ensemble. I appraised my reflection and sighed. I was wearing a pink button-up shirt, grey slacks, and black flats, all of which had seen better days, Maggie's hand-me-downs.

"That dress would look beautiful on you," A deep voice from behind startled me and I quickly turn to face him.

"I didn't mean to scare you," He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. And I was left speechless. He gave me a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile.

"Uh...thanks...I was just looking," I said, forcing a smile, "Good evening," I began walking towards the grocery store; something about him that made me uneasy. I peered back at him and he just stood there with that eerie unreadable expression.

That was awkward. I hope I was not rude. I grab a cart and began the task of shopping. Most of my items are on sale as the ad indicated. Halfway into my shopping in the middle of the aisle, I see him.

Is this man following me?

Perhaps it's a coincidence and I'm being paranoid. I didn't really know how to react as this had never happened to me before. I pretend not to see him and pick up the jar of Nutella. I pretend to read the ingredients while watching him out of the corner of my eyes.

The man almost belonged, but not quite. Dressed in scrubby grey jeans like all the others and donning a black t-shirt; He appeared to be in his mid-thirties. His jet black hair was groomed very nicely slicked back. His forehead was almost square, large and imposing, but not laughably so. A few lines were laid upon it, but they were dismissive as tricks of light. His eyebrows were impossibly straight, his eyes made of rich mahogany. Eyes that told of many secrets but held them locked in a vault so attractive that you wouldn't dare to open in fear of what you might find within. Unmoving, he just stared at me. His gaze was so unwavering it sent a chill up my spine. He had no cart, no items in his hands, he wasn't even pretending to shop, he just stood there staring at me. I threw the Nutella in the cart, turned my shopping cart around and I took off down the aisle in the opposite direction. I quickly grabbed my remaining items and got into the express lane.

A little old lady was in front of me, she only had a hand full of items and a couple of store coupons in hand. I took the moment to peer around the store. The guy was not in sight, but I still had the feeling he was near, watching me.

I paid for my items and parked the cart in the store. I peered around one final time before exiting. I walked fast out of the parking lot, faster than I ever have from Horvath's Shopping Plaza. I could feel him, watching me, following me. I know I shouldn't, but I have no place else to go but home.