The Hooded Stranger

 The smoke from the burning incense danced around the objects sitting on the shelves. A pair of small eyes watched me as I walked along the creaking floorboards of the old shop; there were objects of all sorts scattered around the shelves-some sat in corners gathering dust, and there were some objects whose beauty wasn’t apparent when looked at from a distance, but, on closer inspection, one could see that they had been made with love. But they all had something in common. It felt like each object had their own story and each felt like they had, somehow, been special to someone. This was one of the reasons my love for this shop was so strong.

But it wasn't the only reason. It was one of the few places where I felt calm and at peace. Somewhere I could gather my thoughts, away from the noise and chaos surrounding the streets. Recently, I had been coming here more often. Ever since I first saw the shop a couple of years ago I felt drawn to it and since then I had been returning regularly. But in the last few weeks the attraction had become stronger.

As I glanced at the street, I saw a hooded figure standing on the opposite side. Inexplicably I felt a chill creep over me. I couldn’t see the stranger’s face, but I knew he was watching me closely. He was wearing old and tattered clothes, and his cloak was dark and worn. He didn't seem like he was from around this part of the town. My heart started to beat faster and I forced myself to calm down. Questions were flooding into my mind: who was he? Why is he watching me? Does he know me, and if so, how? I looked away from him for a split second, took a deep breath then looked back. He had disappeared.

Before I knew what I was doing, I had stepped out into the street looking for the stranger. Stalls full of bright jewellery and scarfs lined the street, shopkeepers called to me, inviting me in to see what they had to offer, young children ran along the street chasing each other, flashing bright smiles at me as they passed. In the distance I could hear drums and people singing. Suddenly I saw the hooded figure disappear down a dark alleyway slightly ahead of me. I was filled with excitement and fear. But nonetheless a small voice inside me urged me to turn back. I knew nothing of the stranger-I could be getting myself into danger if I followed him. But my curiosity diminished the small voice of reason inside my head. The danger thrilled me. I was stepping into the unknown. But there was something else I was dimly aware of. When I had first seen him I had felt a pull towards him. It was the same attraction I felt towards the shop. I wanted to know why.

I hurried down the alleyway, excitement building up inside me. I ignored the sea of rats crawling over my shoes and the smell of sewage. I followed the stranger into a small square and paused as he slipped into a inn ahead of me. I took note of my surroundings-just in case.The houses looked run down and old, this was obviously one of the poorer areas of town. The only noise was the sound of water trickling out of a fountain in the middle of the square. As I watched the light dance on the surface of the water I began to feel a bit drowsy. I tried to force it away but I couldn’t control it. The last thing I saw before sleep took me was a figure coming towards me.

                                                                                *****

Blurred figures moving ahead of me. The buzz of conversation surrounding me. Someone touches my arm but I am unable to focus. I want to shout, to scream, to get up and run. More shouts nearby. They move further, and further, and further away. My mind slipsaway from my surroundings as I close my eyes once again.