Chasing Shadows In The Grocery Line Novels & Stories

Vianne asked, looking over her shoulder and out the back window. I turned up the volume of my stereo in an attempt to make sure that Claire didn’t listen. “I don’t recognize the car behind us,” I said calmly and kept my voice low. I pulled into the grocery store since barbecuing seemed to be the best idea for dinner. I circled the parking lot, hoping for a better look at the car in question parked in the far southeast corner, in perfect view of us. I pulled out my phone and made a call. “Jarred, who do you have shadowing us?”

Orange Street lights illuminated the bellies of the grey clouds that hung above and in the distance were the lit signs of stores and restaurants. Chloe didn’t recognise the place but something in the back of her mind told her this was a human settlement of some kind. It wasn’t in the same state but was also close enough to share the same kind of weather. The shadows circled around her legs, rubbing their pitch black pelts over Chloe’s naked skin. The fur was as cold as ice but as soft as silk and it tickled her fingers as she Idly reached out to touch them. It were the shadows that coaxed her to follow some invisible path set out just for her. Chloe wasn’t sure how she knew this, but the sha

I urged, attempting to keep my voice low. We hastened through the remaining aisles, aiming to gather all the required items as swiftly as possible. It felt as if we were engaging in a covert operation, stealing groceries rather than purchasing them. My gaze persistently darted over my shoulder, half-expecting to spot the man trailing us. When we finally reached the checkout counter, my heart pounded within my chest. Handing the money to the cashier, we made a swift exit from the store. As we headed toward the taxi rank, a wave of relief washed over me, knowing that we were finally leaving that environment behind.

A few blocks my ass. I ignore Mr. Shades yelling and I turn on the corner street starting my 10 minutes walk to the grocery store. I thought Mr. shades gave up, but I can feel him walking behind me. To confirm my suspicion, I turn around and there he is walking 5 feet behind me maybe. He didn't even bother concealing himself. I just pretend that I didn't saw him and continue my journey to the supermarket. I reach the supermarket and grab the nearest basket. I review my mental list and I went to the canned goods area first. I am the type of shopper that I scan all the shelves because I might miss something on my mental list.

I shook my head slightly—not here, not now—and continued shopping with increased vigilance. The sensation of being watched intensified as we moved through the store. Every aisle, every turn, I felt eyes on me. On us. But whenever I looked, there was nothing. No one watching, no one following, no explanation for the crawling unease beneath my skin. We were in the snack aisle—Ollie was lobbying hard for fruit gummies while Riley examined granola bars with intense concentration—when I saw it again. A shadow at the end of the aisle, darker than it should have been, shaped like a person but not quite solid.

I stopped by at a store. After waiting for at least ten minutes, I checked if they were still there. There was no one around. But I wasn't at ease. They might be hiding somewhere. Maybe I am just paranoid. I tried to use different routes to check if they were really following me. At first, I don't sense anyone around. But after getting on my second route, I suddenly saw shadows at the corner. It was the shadow of a person. The nasty, scary feeling came back. This got me frightened.

I didn't trust outsiders. "You're not going at my mansion. Go back to your house. I'll find Sharon." "Okay," she sniffed. I rallied up my men and we drove in groups to the three supermarkets around the neighborhood. I was walking down an aisle when I saw her pushing a cart and scanning the canned foods section. She was still wearing my ring. As I got closer I noticed she was humming "Halo" by Beyonce. "Any help with your groceries?" I asked, getting her attention and flashing a bright sly smile.

I was amazed that it was working, and most of the time, the shadows were just in the corners of my eye, and sometimes they're not even visible, I could just feel them, except during church when I’m lost in praying and worshiping. “So, you’re trying to go to God and forget that you’re the reason my cousin hanged himself, bitch?” A woman’s voice spoke beside me while I was looking at a pair of earrings in the mall.

“I don’t mean to be rude or nosy, but do you always have photographers following you around?” “Almost never. Why?” “One followed you here. He’s been waiting in the shadow of that grocery store awning since about five minutes after you walked in.” “No shit?” Chase craned his neck and squinted at the man. “He’s pretty well hidden. How’d you see him?”

But as I walked away visibly emotionless, I couldn’t shake the image of the woman in the scarf, sitting in the shadows, watching me like she already knew me. And I had no idea that she was about to change everything.