Seeing Around Corners Novels & Stories

Somehow I just know there is something out there, and reaching it, I start to scan the streets. I find a dark corner on the opposite street and stop to focus on that spot. I don't see anything, but I just know deep down in my stomach there is someone out there, and I can't move my eyes from that spot. Hardly taking deep breaths when I suddenly see something move, my heart starts to hammer in my chest.

I turned around slowly and even though it was a busy street, I was still going to figure out who it was. I crouched on my knees like I was tying my shoelaces and I glanced up occasionally, taking note of the hidden corners in the street. As I stood up to straighten my shirt, I saw something move in the corner of my eyes from one of the alleys. Someone had been there, watching me. I was sure of it.

Every sense was on high alert as I rounded the first corner, scanning the undergrowth for any signs of traps or dangers lurking in my location. I continued walking amidst the unknown, my steps now slower and more calculated. Steeling myself every minute and then, I took a deep breath and continued forward. The buzzing stopped, but an ominous feeling crept over me as I entered the next section of the maze. I could almost feel unseen eyes watching my every move.

Move naturally, notice irregularities, keep a safe distance from those who seemed too close, too observant. Adrian stumbled at first. His shoulders were stiff, his movements cautious, obvious. I adjusted his posture, whispered corrections in his ear: “Relax your shoulders. Keep your hands visible, but ready. Scan constantly. Predict movement.” Slowly, he began to understand. A man standing too long by the café entrance caught his attention. A woman checking people repeatedly, too obviously, made him step aside. He noticed small details, little things that could have meant nothing to the casual observer.

I lean my head to the side for a second and squint my eyes, and I see the gold glimmer appear. Oh.

“Didn’t you say that you’d do an invisible glamour?” “I did it. You can see me, cause you’re part of it, but no one else can. However, keep in mind that even if we are currently invisible to people, our surroundings aren’t. You pick up a branch and kick a rock, people will see a branch floating and a rock bolting away seemingly on their own. Always be aware of your surroundings and what people see.” Coralis positioned herself on her stick from the ground. “Now, get behind me and hold me tight. Think of it as if you’d be riding a motorcycle as a passenger,” continued Coralis. Audrey got behind her and wrapped her arms around her arms. “Ready?”

Your brain is short-circuiting. But the feeling didn't go away. It was like a low hum right behind my right shoulder. I passed a small flower shop, caught a glimpse of myself in the window, and saw something in the reflection that was wrong. About fifty feet behind me, a man was rounding the corner I’d just turned. He was wearing a slightly too-nice overcoat and looked completely forgettable. He was looking down at his phone. He was the fourth person to appear around that corner at the last minute. The first three were a mother and two older people. But this guy? He was walking too fast to be strolling, too slow to be rushing to work. He was keeping my exact pace.

It was kind of love at first sight moment for him. When the silence continued, a frown grows in between Carellas' eye brows and she started moving her white cane on the floor to make sure that the man was still there. When her cane touched something-his knee- she moved it up along his thigh and poked at him. The poke woke Kalven from his daze and he stood up as fast as he could. "Well?" Carella asked again and this time Kalven spoke to her. "Well what?" He asked. "What did i break? I can replace it for you."

If she could get there and hide. She turned the corner and paused, resting against the wooden frame of the building. Deep breaths heaved from her chest that burned from lack of air. Cautiously, she peeked to see if they’d noticed her. Indeed, they had and were still running after her, calling for her to stop. Clutching her cumbersome skirt, she scurried toward the end of the building and ducked behind the far corner. Another street opened before her, spectators gawked at the commotion she created.

The young men exchanged glances, contemplating their next move. In a sudden, calculated motion, they steered me away from the crowd, into a less populated corner of the room. I couldn't help but notice the watchful eyes of other partygoers, some pretending not to witness the unfolding drama while secretly keeping a keen eye on the spectacle. They’re scared of these men.