Chapter 18- The Night walk

Chapter 18- The Night walk


“Emma, you’re still here?”

Emma looked up from her desk. Maria, one of the receptionists, had her bag on her shoulder and was already halfway to the elevators.

“Yeah,” Emma said, forcing a small smile. “Mr. Harrington wanted the reports done tonight. I’m just finishing the last section.”

Maria frowned. “It’s almost nine. You should head home soon.”

“I will,” Emma said. “Go on, don’t wait for me.”

Maria hesitated, then nodded. “Alright, but don’t stay too late. It gets weird around here after hours.”

Emma tried to laugh it off. “Weird how?”

“Quiet, creepy quiet.” Maria said, lowering her voice. “And sometimes the security guys wander off. Anyway… text me when you get home, okay?”

“I will. Goodnight, Maria.”

“Goodnight.”

The elevator doors slid shut, leaving Emma in the nearly empty office. She sighed, rubbed her eyes, and turned back to the screen.

The numbers swam in front of her. She typed a few more lines, checked the figures again, then saved the file. The clock on her screen read 9:14.

“Okay, done,” she muttered to herself.

She packed her bag quickly, double-checking she hadn’t forgotten her phone charger. Then she switched off her desk lamp, leaving the main office lights humming above her. The space looked huge and empty without the chatter of people.

Her heels clicked as she walked toward the elevator. She pressed the button, waited, then stepped inside.

The ride down was slow, too slow. She kept glancing at the floor numbers as they lit up one by one.

When the doors opened, the lobby was almost deserted. The receptionist desk was empty. It was just one security guard sat by the far wall, scrolling on his phone. He barely looked up as she walked past.

Emma cleared her throat. “Uh, goodnight.”

The guard gave a small nod. “Night.”

She pushed open the heavy glass doors and stepped outside.

The street was darker than usual. Only a few cars drove by. The sidewalk stretched ahead, empty. Emma shifted her bag on her shoulder and started walking.

For the first few steps, it was fine. Just the sound of her own heels tapping the pavement.

Then she heard it.

Another step behind her.

She stopped. The sound stopped.

Emma swallowed and glanced over her shoulder. Nothing, just the dark sidewalk, the glow of a distant streetlight, and a row of parked cars.

“Don’t be paranoid,” she whispered to herself. She turned forward again and walked.

And then faintly she heard another sound. Emma’s heart skipped. She walked faster.

The sound behind her sped up.

She turned her head sharply. Again, nothing. The street looked empty.

Her phone buzzed in her bag, making her jump. She fumbled it out. A text from Maria, Home yet?

Emma typed quickly, On my way. Just left.

She slipped the phone back and forced herself to breathe slowly. Maybe she was imagining things.

But as she passed under the next streetlight, she caught something in the corner of her eye. A shadow movement.

She stopped again.

The footsteps stopped too.

“Hello?” she called, her voice shaky.

Silence.

Emma felt her chest tighten. She adjusted her bag strap and started walking again, this time trying to look casual.

Her phone buzzed again. Maria, Want me to call you while you walk? Emma hesitated, then typed, No, it’s fine. I’m okay.

She wasn’t okay.

A door slammed somewhere in the distance, making her flinch. She picked up her pace, almost a half-jog now.

The footsteps matched her speed.

This time, she didn’t stop to check. She just kept moving, her breath coming faster.

The office buildings around her were mostly dark, their glass fronts reflecting the streetlights. No open shops, no other pedestrians. Just her and whoever was behind her.

“Don’t panic,” she muttered under her breath. “It’s fine. It’s fine.”

She glanced over her shoulder one more time.

That’s when she saw it.

Not clearly, just a figure. Farther back, half-hidden by the shadow of a building. Too far to make out a face, but definitely there.

Emma’s throat went dry.

She turned back quickly, walking faster now, her bag bouncing against her hip.

Her phone buzzed a third time, but she didn’t dare look. She kept moving, the sound of her heels quick and uneven.

Emma’s pulse was racing now. She couldn’t take it anymore. She yanked her phone out and quickly dialed Maria.

"Emma?” Maria answered right away. “You home?”

“No,” Emma whispered, her eyes darting behind her. “I’m still walking.”

“Walking where? Why are you whispering?”

“There’s…” Emma cut herself off, glancing over her shoulder. The figure was still there, about half a block back, moving when she moved. “Someone’s behind me.”

Maria’s voice sharpened. “What do you mean someone’s behind you?”

“I don’t know. I keep hearing footsteps and when I stop, they stop.”

“Okay, don’t panic,” Maria said quickly. “Where are you right now?”

“On Pine Street. Just passed the bakery.”

“Do you see anyone else? Any open shops?”

Emma looked around desperately. “No. Everything’s closed.

“Alright. Stay on the phone with me. Walk toward Main Street, there should be more people there.”

Emma nodded even though Maria couldn’t see her. “Okay.”

She quickened her pace, clutching the phone so tightly her hand hurt.

Behind her, the steps matched. Her breath caught. “Maria, they’re still there.”

“Don’t look back,” Maria ordered. “Just keep walking. Fast, but not running.”

Emma bit her lip and obeyed. She could feel the weight of the presence behind her, like a magnet pulling at her nerves.

Then she made the mistake of glancing into the glass window of a closed café she passed.

The reflection showed it clearly.

A tall figure, he wore a dark jacket. Hands shoved in pockets. Keeping pace with her.

Emma’s throat went dry. “I see him,” she whispered.

“What do you mean you see him?” Maria’s voice rose.

“In the glass. He’s right behind me.”

“Emma, listen to me. Get to Main Street. Go where there are lights and cameras. Do not stop, do you hear me?”

Emma swallowed hard. “I hear you.”

She shoved the phone between her ear and shoulder so she could dig through her bag. Her keys clattered as she fumbled for the small can of pepper spray she’d started carrying.

Her hands shook so badly she almost dropped it. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ve got it.”

“Good,” Maria said. “Keep it in your hand. Don’t show it unless you have to.”

Emma nodded, moving faster. The block felt endless, like Main Street was miles away instead of just a turn ahead.

The footsteps were closer now.

She heard the scrape of a shoe against concrete, sharper this time.

Her breath came in shallow gasps. “He’s closer. I can hear him.”

“Emma, almost there. Don’t stop.”

Emma turned the corner onto a narrower side street, hoping to cut through faster.

“Wait, Emma, where are you going?” Maria panicked.

“Shortcut,” Emma hissed. “It’ll get me to Main quicker."

“Don’t…”

The line crackled, Maria’s voice fading for a second.

Emma clutched her phone tighter. “Maria? Maria!”

The connection steadied again.

“I said don’t take side streets!” Maria snapped. “It’s darker there. You’re giving him cover!”

Emma cursed under her breath. She knew Maria was right, but it was too late, she was already halfway down.

The street was dim, only one flickering light at the far end. Garbage bins lined the walls. It smelled faintly of oil and damp concrete.

Behind her, the footsteps followed.