The preys of a soul eater

I look back. It’s still there.

Next to a lamppost, a man almost like shadow.

I noticed that in the last few days he has been following us. Me and my friend, Sofia.

When we separate, he seems to disappear, but that doesn’t calm me down. Something about that man seems off.

Tall, almost impossible tall. Dressed in black, a long coat that seems to touch the ground. With his face always hidden in the shadows.

- We’re being followed - I whisper to Sofia and grab her sleeve

She looks at me, confused.

-By whom?

-I don’t know him. - I respond and shake my head - But see that figure at the foot of the post. Be discreet.

She pretends to pick up the tomato pulp from the shelf; out of the corner of her eye she peers through the window of the mini market.

He’s still there. I can’t see his eyes, but I know he’s watching us.

-That shadow? - She asks, suddenly very interested in the ingredients of the pulp she has in her hand

-Yes. He’s been following us for days.

Sofia looks at me in disbelief, almost angry.

-And you only say that now! - She murmurs but puts the bottle down on the shelf with force.

The glass shatters. The red pulp spreads across Sofia’s hand. The glass digs into the skin.

-What happened? - asks the concerned store employee

-Ahh sorry, I thought the bottle was more resistant. - Sofia says, in a strange tone as she looks fascinated at the pulp mixing with her blood

I push her slightly.

-Sofia, we have to remove the glass and clean it! - She seems to wake up from her trance. I turn to the employee - Can we use the bathroom?

-Ahh, yes, that way - He starts walking. I take her hand and follow him - I’m going to get the first aid kit, rinse her hand with water, I’ll knock on the door later

I thank him and head to the bathroom. He goes to the back, probably to look for the kit.

I gently push my silent friend inside and lock the door.

Sofia turns on the tap and starts cleaning the remains of tomato pulp from her hand.

-Do you think we should call the police? - She asks suddenly

I look at the tiny bathroom window, looking for the shadow. I don’t see it, but I feel it nearby.

-Maybe - I reply

Sofia sighs, irritated.

-What do you mean "maybe"! If he’s been following us for days, we have to call the police.

-And can you give a description of him!? I didn’t even see his face.

-We just call and say that a man is after us.

-What if they arrive and he’s not there? They’ll think it’s a joke.

We heard a knock on the door. I look at Sofia, who stares at the door in fear.

-It must be the store employee with the kit. - I say, with hope that it’s true

Sofia remains still. I decide to scream.

-Do you have the kit?

-Yes, it’s here. I’ll leave it at the door. - The employee responds

She sits on the toilet seat. I go and open the door. As he had said, a white box is nearby. I take it and lock the door again.

-Let’s take care of your hand first and then decide what to do.

She nods as she looks at the tiny window I’ve also been staring at.

I open the box, look for tweezers and band-aids. I take Sofia’s hand and start to remove the small pieces of glass.

She doesn’t say anything. Sometimes she shakes a little or lets out a small groan of pain.

There aren’t many of them, and they hardly bleed anymore. I put Band-Aids on each wound.

When I’m done, she moves her hand, and there doesn’t seem to be much discomfort or pain.

-Thanks

-You’re welcome. Now what do we do?

She stares at me. In all the years we’ve been friends, I’ve never noticed that her blue eyes are so intense.

A shiver runs down my spine.

Sofia gets up and breaks the staring contest.

I start to wash the tweezers, and she puts the paper she used in the trash. I put the tweezers in the kit.

She unlocks the door. It clicks much louder than last time.

I look at the window again. It’s getting dark.

The store has a few more new customers. The puddle of pulp has already been cleaned up, probably by the employee who lent us the first aid kit.

I see that he is passing a woman’s purchases through the checkout.

-Sofia. - She looks at me; a cold breeze brushes against my neck. - I’m going to give the kit to the employee

-Ahh yes, I’m going with you - She follows me; it seems almost normal

The lady is putting her shopping in her bag. The employee looks at us. He looks relieved.

-Everything is fine? - he asks

-Yes, thank you - I thank him and hand him the box - Do I need to pay for the bottle?

-No, don’t worry. Accidents happen.

I nod and look outside.

Is it just me or is the man closer!?

Sofia next to me grabs my hand.

-Excuse me - Sofia begins - Has that man outside been here for a long time?

The employee is confused by the question, but looks in the same direction as us.

-What man? - he responds

-The one near the trash can. - I respond, the hand that grabs me tightens.

The employee seems to be looking for the man we spoke about. He looks at us, confused.

-There’s no one there.

My heart seems to skip a beat.

The man is there.

-Ahh, he must have left. - Sofia answers for me and starts pulling my hand

-Maybe - the employee says, looking at us, confused.

-We’re going now. Thank you again. - Sofia says as if everything were normal

She pulls me out of the store.

-My house is at the end of the street. Let’s walk as if we didn’t notice him. - She murmurs in my ear; her breath is cold

-Why didn’t he see him…?

-I don’t know, but I don’t like this.

Neither do I. But I don’t say it out loud.

It seems like if I say it, I’m going to curse something, or someone, or us.

————————————-———————————-

A shadow seems to pass over us.

I try to keep a slow pace, but he seems to get closer and closer.

Something cold touches my throat. I let go of the hand and start running home.

My friend runs; she’s faster than me and gets to the door first.

-Sofia, hurry up! - She screams

I’m almost to the door. I put my hand on the key and feel the cold metal.

A hand touches my wrist. My head feels light.

Hunger, hunger

Kill, kill

Eat, eat

A chilling voice echoes in my head.

I don’t know what’s happening.

-Sofia! - She screams

I look at my friend. She’s knocking on the door.

It’s locked.

Ahh yes, I should open the door.

-Ana- I call, instead

A cold presence sends shivers down my back. The long, icy hand grabs my wrist.

She looks at me with fear.

Her face pales as her eyes shift between me and what’s behind me.

-Sofia runs away! He’s behind you! - She screams

-Who? - my voice says, monotone it doesn’t sound like me but it comes out of my mouth

Ana looks at me, confused.

-There’s no one here. - I continue

I didn’t mean that.

-You’re lying. - She says; she doesn’t want to believe me

She’s right. I don’t know why I’m lying, but I am.

The hand squeezes my wrist.

-Ana, you’re seeing things. The man does not exist - my voice insists

She continues to shift her gaze between me and the man behind my back.

Hunger, Hunger

Kill, Kill

Eat, Eat

I start walking towards her.

-Sofia, what are you saying? You said you saw it.

She looks desperate.

-I lied.

-No, no. - Ana repeats.

She shakes her head.

-I thought that was what you wanted to hear. I didn’t want to make you feel bad.

-You’re lying! - She screams in my face

I’m so close to her. Her brown eyes that glow amber in the road lights.

The hand on the wrist moves to my throat. Cold, press for a few seconds.

My breath fails. I take the keys.

Someone screams. It’s loud.

Wet and hot. Red.

So many screams.

So much red.

Where am I?

I blink.

My hands are wet. So red.

The house key stuck in something.

On someone.

At Ana!

Tears start to fall.

What have I done?

I approach her.

Stiff. Cold.

So much blood.

What have I done?

-No! - I scream

I throw myself at her. I try to look for something that indicates she is alive.

What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?

She’s cold.

No pulse.

No, no, no.

-Ana, wake up.

The tears flow. They mix with my best friend’s blood.

Her skin is pale and icy.

We were going to spend the summer at the beach, so she could get a tan.

Now, I killed her.

No. Why?

Her eyes shocked.

The sun begins to rise.

-Sorry, sorry. - I beg

I hug her.

Why!?

A hand on my neck. Cold. Long.

Good job.

A grotesque voice praises.

The hand tightens. The air doesn’t seem to want to escape.

Desperately, I put my hands to my neck.

There’s nothing there.

Now it’s your turn to go.

I choke. The vision starts to get dark.

I’m still hungry.

I fall and darkness takes over me.

Such delicious souls.