She_Realised_It_Was_a_Mistake_as_Soon_as_She_Turned_the_Corner

She realised it was a mistake as soon as she turned the corner. There he was standing there, right in front of her. Chloe's legs shook uncontrollably as she became filled with repugnance and dread, her heart racing faster than a speeding bullet. Eerie, dark and misty- the walls covered with old graffiti. The alleyway had no-one in sight. No-one used it except the brave and the foolish. You could never know what lie in its depths. She could not have regretted taking this route more, just so she would be at home in time to watch her favourite T.V. show- 'Gossip Girl'. *** "Oh gosh, it's the creepy thin man" Chloe said nervously to her friend as she put her head down trying to go unnoticed. Kate looked across the road as Chloe had brought the 'thin man' to her attention. Kate's eyes widened with fear as she looked at him. She quickly grabbed Chloe's arm protectively as they scuttled off towards the school building. "I don't understand what he wants from you Chloe, why does he always stand there watching you like that'" Kate said very concerningly- "We really ought to report him you know". "I know I've seen him several times, but thankfully he doesn't seem to do anything more than to just stare. Don't worry Kate, he will go away eventually" Chloe said reassuringly to convince Kate and herself, though she was just as apprehensive about the situation deep down.*** He was tall and thin, wearing a trench coat and a top hat. It was difficult to see his face through the mist, but he had a distinctive silhouette which by now was easily recognised by Chloe. As he walked closer towards her slowly, the closest she had ever been to him, the light from the dim alley lamp hit the side of his face that revealed a horrible burned melted face. His image was enough for Chloe to impulsively turn around and run as quickly as she could. "Chloe" called the thin man. Chloe stopped- how did he know her name' What did he want from her' The force of her intense curiosity prevented her from continuing to run further. She turned around hesitantly. He had caught up and stood directly behind her. She looked straight into his grey wolf-like eyes as she trembled, but with slight frustration. "I know your father, David" he said somberly with a raspy voice. "How...how do you know him' What do you want from me'" She stuttered. As he walked closer to her she didn't run as she was even more anxious to know who this man was and why he was watching her. "I fought with your father in the Gulf War" he informed her as reached into his pocket. Hhhhhrkl He stepped closer and closer as he seemed to be pulling something out of his pocket. Chloe's heart froze with fear as she thought her life was about to come to an end. She was sure she was having to pay for something her father had done in the past. Since he had fought in the war when she was a little girl, this man must be an enemy, now out to get her. To her uttermost relief, he held out a photograph. "My father and..." she paused as she was unable to recognise the man beside him in the photograph, "and myself, Richard" the 'thin man' added. Chloe confused and wanting to believe this could not seem to swallow this claim: that somehow the 'thin' man knew her father. Perhaps there was some trickery involved. "He was a hero. He always did put us before him and made sure of our safety first. Your father was a good friend of mine. I never got to say goodbye to him and I wanted to tell you this and pay my respects. He would have been very proud of you" he expressed with deep sadness in his eyes. "You look so much like your father you truly remind me of him" he said as he looked at Chloe with great fondness. At that moment she had a sudden recollection- "Uncle Richard!" She exclaimed. He had seemed to deteriorate so much in appearance he was unrecogniseable, not the young healthy man he was- but Chloe remembered when she was a little girl, uncle Richard would come round and bring chocolates for her when he would visit her father. She assumed he had been killed with her father in the war. It was a surreal moment for Chloe, but her regret for taking this route almost turned into gratefulness. Although she had been fortunate in this instance, this experience had left her with much to reflect on....