I paused to lean against one, trying to catch my breath.
That’s when I heard a male voice.
He was speaking to other people I’d passed, asking if they’d seen a woman in a gown.
My stomach seized, praying no one would give me up, that everyone would know that a man chasing a woman through the park at night could have nothing but bad intentions.
I inched around the tree, trying to see through the darkness.
I saw a shadow move, following the path, moving away from me.
I waited.
One minute.
Two.
Three.
Only when I was sure he was far enough away not to hear me did I run, heading deeper into the park, watching my feet imprint on the freshly fallen snow.
But as quickly as my footsteps formed, the flakes started to fill them in again.
I made my way toward one of the many ornamental arches, sliding into the shadows beneath it, allowing me to escape the snow that had already soaked through my hair.
Shivers violently racked my body as I slid my wet phone screen into the slit of my dress to dry it off on my thigh so I could unlock my screen.
My finger hovered over the nine, knowing I was supposed to call the police.
But it was then I saw the voicemail icon.
I hit that before I could think better of it, then pressed my phone to my ear, hearing Venezio’s voice. Only it was different. Full of something that sounded a lot like panic. Telling me to get out of my apartment, to get somewhere safe.
Before I could think better of it, I hit the call button.
It barely rang before the sound cut off.
“Venezio!” I yelped, my voice tight, full of the panic flooding my system.
He said something, but I was barely paying attention.
“Help,” I cut him off.
“What’s going on?” he asked, voice tight, but controlled.
“He came…” I started.
But he didn’t let me finish.
“Where are you right now? I’m coming for you. Where are you?”
“Central—” I started, but suddenly didn’t hear the noise in the background anymore.
When I looked, the call had ended.
Did the service cut out?
But when I tried to call back, it went right to voicemail.
