Behind The Mask

3 a.m. on a Saturday and the dead of night envelopes my shower barely illuminated by the moonlight creeping through the blinds of my window. Directly under the shower-head, water flows from my fro covering my closed eyes. My skin is tight and covered in goosebumps. This day has been stalking me for many months now and now I am full of fright like a pray backed up against the wall because it has come. After calming my nerves and finishing my shower I step out and begin to pick my Afro, I glided towards the sink and my arms tire from tugging my curls straight. After brushing my teeth I exit the bathroom, walk down the hallway and into my room opening my drawer. I select black pants, a black hoodie, running shoes and the mask, perfect store for the job. My stomach is in my throat and my hands shake with anticipation while I'm waiting for the text from someone I never wanted to see again. I didn't want to get dragged back into this, yet here I am.

Sitting in solitude meditating on the many outcomes that may manifest my mind drifts about. I don't like the thoughts, I don't like what's coming up, I'm frightened. I do my best to get a grip on where my boat of sanity floats, but the thoughts thrash around as if pulled by a pissed off Proteus. My hands shake once again, my heart quivers, my mind gallops. I try to pull in the reins but I'm kicked off like a foolish boy who hopped on the back of a boisterous bronco that has never been known how to behave.

My heart jolts when I hear a text notification. I pick up the phone and my heartbeat shakes my vision so much I can hardly read what is on it. And of course, it's the name of the one I avoided most for the past 2 years was plastered on the front. The question, "are you ready?". I lowered my head expelling air from the deepest part of my stomach. Slowly I look back, open the message, and responded "Yes". I wait for the message to go through. I sit on my bed in front of a window waiting for a response. Looking at my reflection on my phone with half of my face revealed from the moonlight that is partially poured behind me. Minutes feel like many millennia, I daze out feeling my soul soar off to the farthest depths of space only to be slung back to the bottom by another notification. I open my phone, this one reads out "Out".

I grab my bag and claw my hair back with haste so that I may have to cover my head with my hood and quickly pace towards the front door. Before leaving I get on my knees and gently pet my cat 'Cheshire' under the chin since this may be the last time I see him. He nuzzles my leg, purrs, and tries to follow me out, but I push him back and close the door. He should be OK since his food is within his reach. But I know I just hurt his feelings but worse things are likely to come.

I try to creep my way downstairs so none of my neighbors hear me leave. I stand in front of the parking lot and looked about. My legs feel like they may melt from under me. My soul sinks and I feel it may drown but it is hoisted to the surfaces by the sound of a notification. I unveil with a swipe and this one reads, "To your left".

I slowly turn and grease with fright. It is a large mat black van with windows so tinted it's almost invisible in the dark if one is not paying attention. Yet, I still see the eyes of whoever is in the driver's seat, and only their eyes.