“Hey Sal, it’s eleven o’clock. You going home or what?” the landlord yelled from where he was washing down the bar. Sally looked with disgust at the rain.
“Have you seen it out there?” she called back over her shoulder. “It’s pissing it down!” The landlord stopped and looked up across the brightly lit bar at the tall blond.
“What d’you want me to do about it?” he asked tersely. “You can’t sleep here.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Sally muttered. “I’m just sayin’ is all.” Sally pulled her coat further around herself and sighed. “G’night then.”
“Good night.” He responded, watching the slight girl disappear into the rain soaked night.

As Sally walked down the high street to towards the car park and her car, she shivered. Not only was there the heavy downpour, but it was cold and she only had a small jacket over her barmaid outfit. She glanced around. It was strange seeing the town deserted like this; usually there where a few brave souls, or at least alcoholics, wandering about, but she seemed to be the only one out tonight. Or was she?
Sally stopped and turned around. She’d been sure there had been foot steps behind her just then. Suddenly the wind gusted up, sending a spattering of rain into her face. She shivered again, and shook off the feeling. It wasn’t that far to her car. Not far at all. And then she could go home and have a nice hot bath. And be out of this horrible weather. And maybe she’d even make herself a hot chocolate. She still had some of those little marshmallows left, didn’t she?
Suddenly a raindrop found it’s way down the back of her neck. Sally gasped and stopped, reaching around to wipe it off. Tap, tak. Tap, tak. She froze. That was, that had been… footsteps… Wasn’t it? Sally turned again. The street behind her was empty. She turned back and carried on. It was just the rain, sounding like foot steps. She was letting her imagination run away with it’s self again. She was the only one out here. A horrible, horrible night. Why would any one else want to out tonight? All the same, she increased her pace.
As she rounded the corner of the mulitstory, Sally breathed a sigh of relief. She really was almost there. She reached for the lift button. From over head there was a rumble of thunder and the rain increased it’s relentless pummelling of the ground. She pressed the button, as a crack of lightning illuminated the stair well. She turned to look, and in that split second saw the silhouetted form of a man. The panic she’d been controlling so well broke and overwhelmed her. She gasped. Tap. Tak.
“Work, damn lift work!’ she muttered, sobbing, hitting the button. Tap. Tak. She fled, forgetting the lift. Pell-mell up the stairs. She could hardly breath – cold clawed hand of panic squeezed her chest. Tap. Tak. Out in the car park now, rain beating down around. She scrabbled for her bag, hands slippy and wet. Tap. Tak. It was closer now. Her keys, she had to find her keys! Running now, she aimed for the only car. Keys, keys, keys! Her breath coming only is gasps and sobs now, she cannonballed into the car. Where are my keys!
Bang! A heavy paw landed on her shoulder.
“Don’t kill me!” she cried.
“Sal? Why would I do that?” Sally turned to see her boss behind her. “You left your keys in the bar. I came to give them to you.” She leant back against the car and let out a huge breath as the tension melted away.
“I thought…,” she started laughing and crying at the same time. “I thought you were some psycho going to kill me. I’m sorry Boss.” The big man handed Sally her keys.
“Heh. No probs kid. Just take care.” He turned and Sally watched him walk out of view before turning back to unlock her car. A heavy hand landed on her shoulder again.
“What is it now Boss?” She asked, turning back. Another crack of lighting. A knife flashing in her vision.
A scream, the last sound to escape her mouth.

☮&♥