New Year's Terror

Megan feels lucky to be alive.

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It was New Year’s Eve and all around me there were celebrations.

Apart from at my place… I’d just started a new job in an office, but hadn’t been there long enough to save much money yet.

And so, on New Year’s Eve, I didn’t really have any plans.

Then, one of my friends who was working at a bar in town, sent me a message.

Meet me after work? We might as well have a drink!

I agreed. I put on a nice dress and some make-up and waited for her shift to finish.

We arranged to hook up with a couple of other mates, too, who’d been at a family party.

By the time we were ready to meet, it was late. I put on flat shoes, ready to walk into town.

It felt good to be out, socialising, celebrating, even though I didn’t have much money to spend.

By 4am, we decided to say goodnight.

I’d spent my taxi money on a drink and faced a long walk home.

‘I’ll walk with you,’ said one of my friends, Adam. ‘I’m going the same way.’

We set off. The streets were busy and people were in good spirits.

As we left the town centre, I heard a car slowing behind us, and then following us at a snail’s pace.

The driver was a man and he was staring at us, smiling, as he crawled along.

‘Do you know him?’ I asked Adam, puzzled.

But he shook his head and frowned. ‘Never seen him before,’ he replied.

He was a stranger.

We carried on walking, hoping he’d go away.

But he stayed behind us. And every time I turned around, he gave me the creepiest smile.

So weird. ‘Adam, let’s stop for a moment,’ I decided.