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He Who Stalks
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He Who Stalks |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Mark stood alert. His keen ears listened through the whistling wind. What was that sound? His eyes searched with intensity for a movement in the shadowed alley. It was quiet again and his thoughts turned inward to why he was in the smelly alley after dark. It was Gloria, his sister's best friend who had with her dark brown soulful eyes, begged him to find out who was following her every night after work at a downtown restaurant near Pier 77 in Seattle, Washington. The chill of the night was starting to penetrate through his light weight but dark jacket - he had not seen anyone. A yowl of a tom cat made him spin with a jerk. His heart beat had quickened and he slowly exhaled to keep himself calm. In the distance he heard the sorrowful wail of a ferry boat's horn. He hunkered down back into what he hoped was an ebony corner of the alley as he waited while chastising himself for not just suggesting she ask a local police officer to keep a watchful eye out for her. Maybe it was the intrigue of danger, a spark to his lately monotonous life. Maybe it was his partiality to a helpless woman in distress. Or, maybe he had spent all those years studying karate and had never had a real situation to apply his knowledge. He couldn't piece it together, yet here he was freezing his buns off as a favor to Gloria and his sister. The moon peeked around the corner casting different sharp edged shadows along the aged wooden back side of the restaurant where Gloria worked as a cocktail waitress. A door squeaked with the grating sound of springs that needed much oil. Gloria stepped out. "Bye everyone. See ya tomorrow," she called out gaily, and headed down the alley. Mark watched, his legs stiff. He waited until she was out of sight, stood and slunk against the back walls of the alley, as if he were the potential criminal. He was trying to stay behind her without her stalker seeing him. He heard the crunch of gravel behind him; he quickly ducked back. A darkly clad figure strode past him with the air of someone in a hurry. He stepped behind the scurrying figure taking a sharp glance behind him and followed the stranger catching a whiff of a cologne that smelled slightly like Obsession a cloying almost feminine odor. He followed, keeping his pace carefully behind the stalker. Overhead lights beamed as the person in front of him stepped out of the alley, with Mark straight on his tail. Mark caught a glimpse of a medium built man in trench coat and hat. Further ahead he saw Gloria walking with that particular gentle female sway not too far ahead. The size of the man in front of him comforted Mark. He knew he was bigger and felt more at an advantage in case this was the person who was following Gloria. He could take him, if he had to. He hoped the stalker didn't have a gun. His breath made small wisps of clouds that billowed out as he moved in a tiny bit closer. He heard laughter up ahead and thought of people leaving for the night to drive home to their warm beds, where he wished he was at the moment, though he was excited at the chase. A flicker of worry creased his forehead as he saw the figure ahead gaining on Gloria. He picked up his pace. Gloria had just stepped around the corner followed closely behind by the stalker. Too close! Mark fearing for Gloria, threw all caution aside as he started a dead run. He rounded the corner - confused. No one was there. "Oh, God!" he prayed under his breath. Did he get her - has he dragged her in some dark place? Mark futilely searched with his eyes. He heard muffled voices and laughter around the corner of the next building. A crowd of people came around the bend swarming around him. "Happy Birthday, Mark!" they shouted gleefully. Mark's sister took her dark trench coat and hat off and grinned mischievously at her older brother. < !signature--> Teresa King www.tipsfortop.com [This message has been edited by netswan (edited 05-19-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Teresa King - All Rights Reserved | |||
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WolfsMate Member
since 2000-01-14
Posts 121New York |
I loved the twist at the end!! Excellent story! "You never have to worry...Never fear for I am near" |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Wow great storytelling Teresa Loved the end...surprized me as well as Mark...hehe All my love, Jeffrey I lie awake in a world filled with dreams, but dreams can be so real when you don't know you're asleep |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Wow! Nifty ending yah got there.  Caught me by surprise. hehehhe... great story."Even a fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying." Harry Anderson, "Night Court" *Cassandra Roseen* |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Well, was gone for a couple of days. Was wonderful that people enjoyed this story. Thanks for reading this Wolfsmate, Jeffrey and Dawn -) ~netswan |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
HA HA... your enjoying yourself arent you  GREAT writing Teresa!! love your detail and imagery. and your creativity. later-swan-gator, jm Some things cannot be explained by verses that rhyme, They are not measured by the commitment of time. Some emotions run too deep to be described by words, Forgiveness and understanding-remain the most beautiful words ever heard. ~Janet Marie~ "What the caterpillar calls the end ... The world calls a butterfly" ~Lao Tze Tao~ ~Butterflies are meant to be free~ |
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Ardonida Member
since 2000-05-18
Posts 76 |
OY!! Happy birthday MARK!! and good one netswan!! I giggled my (_{_) off at the end!! A. |
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Irie Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493Washington State |
This was good. Pulled me in, had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Loved the spin at the end, though I think I would have had to inflict a small amount pain on someone for doing that to me! (just kidden) hehe  Much enjoyed netswan! |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
JM - haha, I don't know if this fun or not. Certainly, addictive. Thanks for responding A - glad you you enjoyed -) Thank you. Irie - so terribly sorry - hope you don't want to leave a bruise on me -- I do writeserious short stories -- just had fun with this. Thanks for reading. ~netswan |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Practical jokes, revisited... You sure must have had fun writing this one... I liked reading this as well... Great going, netswan... Regards, sudhir. Life is like a painting, That in an art gallery is left hanging, Though many come just to look at it, A very few actually come to enjoy it. |
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
This is brilliant! The twist at the end is great. Love and hugs, Lizzie  "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight." |
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Ruby dagger Member
since 1999-08-01
Posts 76Wyoming, MN, U.S.A |
LOL! Great story, I was on the edge of my seat, great surprise! now you have givin many people ideas to do to others, Great story. Luv Kelly "Everyone has to grow old, but it's a choice to grow up" -Vernon Lee- |
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