Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide

A combination of fear and wonder.

         I saw them staring at me on the bus, a vicegenarian redheaded woman and an older woman with graying hair. The latter had been sewing and looked up at me only when the former had elbowed her.
         "That's a pretty spooky costume," said the older woman.
         "Thank you," I replied.


         It was then, when they saw my mouth move, that their expressions changed. Their eyes widened, and they moved quickly. The redhead pulled the cord several times, causing the bus driver to curse before coming to an abrupt stop at the closest destination. The two women clambered off the bus. I followed them off, taking my time. I was in no rush.


         Outside, it was raining quite heavily. Luckily for me, I couldn't feel it; most others had an umbrella, but not the two ladies whom I was following. They suffered for it. However, I doubt it was their main concern; this was likely survival. The redheaded woman, I could tell, wanted to run, run as fast as she could without looking back, but her elderly friend held her back. I felt pity for them, but my sense of justice motivated me beyond more human concerns to do what was right.


         The women went around the corner at the end of the block. When I got there, they were gone. No, not gone; they were hiding. They were good at what they did. After all, they'd managed to elude me for days. I could've looked in every shop that lined the street, but I knew they would be in the costume shop.


         I went in, the greeting bell not chiming for me as it did with others. I scanned my surroundings, looking for two people in costume. The changing room, I thought. They would obviously hide in the changing room.


         I knocked on each door, knowing that only the two women would react. When no one did, I looked under the door. I saw the two pairs of shoes the women had been wearing, along with wet footprints.


         "Come out," I said, "You're only prolonging the inevitable."


         "Go away!" they screamed.


         They charged the door and pushed it open so that it knocked me aside. Then they were running again, the redheaded woman pulling the elderly woman by the arm as the latter seemed on the verge of cardiac arrest. Anyone who got in the way was nearly knocked down. They ran out the door, the bell tinkling, leaving several confused and concerned customers in their wake.


         I was tiring of this game, not physically but emotionally. I never had any intentions to hurt anyone, though sometimes the thought occurred to me.


         I was too late to prevent them from actually leaving this time; they'd hailed a taxicab. They got in right while I was mere feet away, and the taxi sped off. I sighed.


         The next day, far more clement weather prevailed. Traffic was light, perhaps because it was a Sunday.                    


         I'd tracked the two women down to a hotel. I am not omniscient; it often takes me a long time to find people. However, I knew who was in their social circle, and one of their friends simply could not keep a secret. I obtained it not through talking to her, but through eavesdropping.


         When I came to their suite, I knocked on the door. I had heard them speaking to each other, but now they fell silent.


         "Who is it?" one of them said.


         "It's time," I said.


         There was more silence. I knocked again. The door flew open, and I stepped aside. It was the redheaded woman, aiming a pistol at me. She pulled the trigger several times, the bullets seeming to hit me, shaking my body. I was otherwise unaffected. She pulled the trigger more even after the chamber was empty.


         "We're not ready!" she screamed.


         I advanced on her. She backed up, and I could see her older companion in the suite, shouting into the phone frantically.


         "You know who I am," I said, "and you know that you didn't survive that fire. No one can escape me for long, try as they may. I do not wish to harm you. I must, however, take you with me."


         "But I don't want to die," the redhead said, sobbing. Her older friend came to her side, embracing her and attempting to soothe her.


         "She's young," said the older woman, "She's so young."


         "There is no recourse," I said, "but you needn't fear me. You have both lived lives of compassion and moral rigor. I am taking you to a place where you will be rewarded."


         The redhead began to regain control of herself.


         "You mean, we're going...up there?" she asked tearfully.


         "Yes," I told her.


         They looked at each other. The older woman wiped the tears from her younger friend's cheeks.


         "I think it'll be okay, dear," the lady said.


         When they told me they were finally ready, I laid my fleshless hands on their shoulders and the three of us ascended into the sky.