In Her Company [Fiction]

A car alarm wailed somewhere behind me. I jumped, letting out a pathetic squeak. I pressed a hand to my chest as if I could push my heart back into rhythm. I glanced back.

It was almost midnight. The street was lined with cars on both sides of the road. No traffic and no voices. Just the uncomfortable alarm.

Fridays were my busiest day in the week and I didn't mind closing late. The recent news of a man attacked close to the subway at midnight and the disappearance of a lady on that very street made me anxious. Close to nausea.

The alarm cut off and a slender lady stepped out from the driver's seat. She was young and sophisticated, wearing a beige skirt suit and black stiletto. I paused without meaning to and stared.

She smiled and walked towards me. Her eyes were soft, warm pools of the darkest honey and her skin like polished olive, glowing under the streetlights. She smelled faintly of vanilla and comfort.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Sorry about the noise. Car trouble. Going to the subway?”

“I…yeah.” My voice felt thin. “Is your car going to be okay there?” I asked as we walked together, our shoes crunching against loose gravel.

Her voice was a warm, velvet hum, skimming on my nerves in a soothing way. I liked her instantly. I felt oddly certain I would be safe in her company.

“The tow company will get it in the morning,” she said. “I'm Alicia.” That was my mother's name.

“Nice to meet you, Alicia. I'm Gregory. Are you heading home?”

“Oh, not really,” she gasped softly. “The night's still young. I'm heading to the bar over there.” She pointed down the street, her well manicured nails catching my eye. “Want to join me?”

Her smile was coy. My heart warmed and the nausea faded. “Sure.”

I didn't mind grabbing some drinks with this beautiful stranger.

……..

It was Monday morning.

The street was slightly busy, people going about their day.

The sight of the missing person flyer pasted on the brick wall caught me off guard. My anxiety roared back with vengeance, as did the nausea.

Alicia's face stared back at me from the flyer. Her car was no longer packed by the roadside.

I turned and ran like a mad man all the way back to the subway.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. I felt like diving into a crime thriller for a bit. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "in her company".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{Image credit: Willgard}