TWO MINUTE STORY: Who’s There?

Last night when I was walking home, I kept hearing someone directly behind me. Being a tall, big boned, linebacker of a woman, I’m usually not frightened — but this was too close for comfort. I stopped and did the “Oh, I need to check my phone” move, in hopes they’d just walk around me.

While pulling out my phone, I did a side glance.

There was no one there. Just a poorly lit sidewalk with a dim yellowy glow.

I scanned the bushes, the houses across the way, and kept walking. Sure enough, I hear the swishing noise again — the feeling of dread crept up in my throat. I started getting goosebumps all over my body. I left my pepper spray at home. I did not succeed in remembering any self-defense moves. I was going to have to play the “crazy” card where I just flail my body around and make strange noises. My heart was thumping in my chest.

I made the move to stop again and confront. I turned around, ready to meet my fate. Nothing. The wind whips through the air causing the bare branches above me to shake.

“Hello?” I say in a hushed voice. “What do you want?”

I was half expecting a ghost to appear out of the darkness — a night poltergeist or a demon about to dive in and possess me. I was met with silence.

I started walking quicker. The noise was back. Crawling up my spine. Swish swish, swish swish. Oh my god. What is happening? How do I confront a ghost? Should I yell for help?

I look down at my hurried feet and moved my gaze up my legs. I slow my gait to a stop. Once again, so did the noise.

It was my new pants. The jean material swishing back and forth, like new pants do.