Stalked

Don't Turn Around challenge - The Prompt: Write a poem about the feeling that something is behind you.

You sense it before you see it. This challenge builds on anticipation and the fear of what stays just out of view.

Author's note: Fiction.

Who said he didn't know she was stalking him?

He would run into her everywhere he went and Jim

told him she is following you, but he would not believe him

when he said, "You haven't noticed her behind you before." But Jim,

we live in the same town, work on the same block, we see

many of the same people. How do I know that she is following me?

"Okay, so say she isn't following you. Are you interested in going back?"

No, not interested in that crazy woman. "Okay, so you think she is a quack?"

I didn't say that. "But you don't think she would follow you?" I do have

a feeling that someone is watching me, but I'm not afraid of her. I'm brave.

Jim laughed. If you have that feeling, but don't believe it is her, who is it?

I have even felt like someone is looking in the window at times. Shit

I've had that sense for some time. Then I check and no one is there.

Whenever I look there is never anyone anywhere.

Some days I think I am losing it, other times, it's the neighbors cat.

I will get an occasional hang up call. I answer the phone and that

is when the call just ends. "Is it her, or just a wrong number?

Be careful buddy, someone obsessed is dangerous, remember

when stalking became illegal? There was plenty of reason.

I remember being stalked and I didn't even know her for a season.

I had never even heard of it before. Take care buddy!"

Don't worry, I will pay attention and report anything odd, Jimmy.