Insidious Hollow

The walk home from her best friend’s house wasn’t all that far or even all that dark, but it did have a certain way about it that never failed to make her uncomfortable.  It wasn’t easy to convey the full breadth of the uneasy feeling that would creep up on her, but put simply… It was always too quiet.  A facet that never failed to continually compound with each and every step taken down the winding sidewalks of Willow street.  Jack o'lanterns, lights, and various Halloween decorations littered the scattered houses that she passed; none of which helped to ease her discomfort.  It was late.  She knew that she should have left hours ago, but had lost track of time.  Nothing  she could do about that now other than hurry home.

Struggling against the silence, Cindy retrieved a pair of earbuds from her purse and put on a familiar tune that helped to calm her nerves.  This calm didn’t last for very long because as the first chorus began with a blaring guitar riff, Cindy thought she heard someone call out to her.  She stopped, removing one earbud.

“Hello?  Is someone there?”

Silence even more deafening than earlier was the only response provided.  A tap landed on her shoulder.  Spinning slowly, Cindy found not a single soul on the street, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.  Quickening her pace, she stuffed the earbud back into her ear and continued on toward home.  Her vision focused solely on the pavement as if restricted by invisible blinders, she attempted to match her steps with the blisteringly fast drumbeat of the current song.  Unconsciously, she began avoiding the cracks and seams in a desperate attempt to keep her mind distracted and remain calm.  Her footfalls now felt as though they landed with emphasized purpose as her home slowly drew nearer.

Suddenly, the streetlight above her head burnt out.  A scream escaped her mouth as she tumbled forward.  Catching herself before she could fall into a nearby bush, Cindy struggled to make out her current surroundings.  Before she could get her bearings, something yanked at her arm in the dark.  Unable to determine the source, Cindy swung wildly.  Another hand grabbed at her other arm while a third tugged at her hand firmly holding onto her cell phone.  Earbud cables flying out, Cindy flailed around in staunch defiance while music began pouring out into the night from the small speaker on the back of her cellphone.  

Just as suddenly as it had begun, the struggle ceased.  The hands flitted away outside of her vision as lyrics faintly squeaked out into the dark.  Breathing heavily, Cindy slowly pulled herself together.  Whatever or whoever was out there was still watching, she could still feel it.  But right now at least, their focus shifted.  Somehow, she could feel them drawn to the low rumble of guitar and bass now echoing into the night.

Raising her phone up as if some sort of blazing torch meant to ward off her assailants, she resumed her hurried pace and soon caught sight of her home.  Once inside with the door hurriedly shut behind her, Cindy collapsed onto the floor of the foyer.  Her mind continued whirring away silently, uncomprehending what had just taken place.  All she knew for sure was that… next time, she would make sure to head home down Willow street before the sun went down, otherwise she might find herself dealing with an unwanted audience.