Ficlets

You keep looking over your shoulder as you walk. Your heart just won’t stop racing, pounding your chest, and you feel your forehead dampen as beads of sweat begin to form.

You keep looking, walking faster now, but there’s nothing.

You see people, but no one you knew, no one who notices your presence. No threats.

Slowly, slowly, you begin to take breaths, calming a little more with each one, until you stupidly take one last look.

That man, from the store so long ago. The man from your dreams. You turn your head back around, a small grin spreads across your face. One last breath, and you spin on your heels to face him.

The sidewalk is empty.