And It Follows You
Went for a walk this afternoon. The usual place — the park behind my house. It was a former road converted to a walking area which is right next to a stream. It’s also in a valley with woods surrounding the walkway. It was a nice afternoon for a walk. It was a bit cool and overcast, but still beats the rain we’ve had the last few days.
Usually, I don’t wear my earbuds while walking. Music is a distraction, but this time I wore them. I wasn’t out for a walk for exercise. I was just trying to make my steps. Chasing the streak! Since the walk wasn’t for exercise, I was dressed casually in khakis and sweater. A hat on and a neck gaiter just in case I run into a lot of people using the walkway.
I didn’t. It was quiet for a weekend, especially on Halloween.
As I walked, under the eaves of the trees, I kicked up the fallen leaves. I was crunching through them just oblivious to the world listening to my music. After a few minutes, I was alone.
Enjoying the woods, I didn’t hear the other noises with the earbuds in. I didn’t hear the other footsteps trudging through the fallen leaves. When I did, I didn’t see anyone else around.
I peered across the stream, and see no one there. Is it just me? Am I alone in these woods? I didn’t want to find out. I quickened my pace on the turnaround and practically was jogging back the way I came from. The leaves moving was just me and my follower.
I rounded a corner and there was a family coming my way. My follower immediately disappeared. I didn’t let up my pace. I passed the people with a rigid smile. I did not hear my follower on the way home. Welp, that’s just how it goes on the spookiest day of the year.
