Heaven sent

My feet conquered the path beneath me. It was rhythmic, my heartbeat, breathe and pace. This run felt different from others. I was entranced in this tempo and the scenery before me. In front of me lay a beige gravel path that's constant crunch added body to my run. Grass on either side of the path hid chirping crickets, and in the distance, a sunset.

I rarely listened to music while I run preferring to hear my surroundings. Maybe it was the constant anxiety of attack. Ever since my dad passed away I've been withdrawn from others. His death caused me to experience some of my worst moments. I haven't seen friends outside of work and I've never been on a real date. Now that I'm 23, it's getting a little ridiculous. My mom keeps asking for grandchildren. Honestly I'm just running out of excuses. First it was school and then it was finding work. Now that I'm a certified firefighter paramedic and have a steady job. I couldn't say no when she asked to set up a blind date. I'm dreading it... The alarm on my watch went off scaring me from my trance. Ah, gotta head back and shower. I've only got thirty minutes to get ready.

I entered my two story home and turned right to head up the stairs. My room was the first in the hallway. I had a total of three bedrooms. One I used for storage.... the other I used for storage... but I did have a bed in it. I almost never had anyone visit let alone stay the night. My mom only lived around the corner too. I really didn't have family outside of my mom. My dad's side of the family wouldn't have anything to do with us and my mom's side had all passed away. She forced me to put an extra bed in my home when I bought the house, saying one day I'd need it for my future in-laws.

After showering, I dried my thick long red hair and parted it. I never really believed in make up, though my mom did insist I try it. In the end I decided it made my natural skin look ugly. I stood in the mirror, looking at my body. I am strong. Built like a feline. My arms show muscular definition and broad shoulders. Mom always wanted me to be a princess. These stupid pink fluffy things were always pushed on me. The day I told her I wanted to follow dad's footsteps, she to my surprise supported me. Though she had one condition, I had to try dating, I rolled my eyes, turning to the bed where my clothes lay. My mom picked out a tight peach cocktail dress and some god awful death daggers for shoes. Seriously what am I supposed to do with those. She is trying to pimp her only daughter out like that, I whined internally.

I walked past them to the closet and took out a purple jumpsuit I had been saving for an emergency like this. It was much more suited for my body. It wide flared legs wound give me a better range of motion.

Suddenly while holding my preferred choice I realized I was standing in front of my open window. Ass naked I was like the best erotic snow globe you could purchase.

"Shit! Did anyone see me!" I ducked down to where I could only peak out the window. Sure enough a car was parked outside my home. He probably could see me from the car. Another man stood across the street looking confused.

"Great, I fucking know that guy. The fucking poster child for weirdo stalker neighbors saw me naked." I whispered to myself, "seriously why can't you get yourself together."

If I hadn't gone running this wouldn't happen. I crawled around on the floor to clothes my blinds. Finally, and threw on my clothes and flats. Just as I was finished I could hear the door bell ringing. I ran to get it only to find Sam standing there.

"Aurora, how is it going," he beamed, " hey I liked your show. You did that just for me right? You know there's a man sitting in that car. You not trying to make me jealous are you?" His stench filled the air around me, it felt like I was suffocating. He wore a slimy smile across his pitted face. I hated seeing his stupid face. He's been coming over and bothering me on and off since the block party a few months. I tried very hard to be polite with him because I thought that he was not all there. However, I ran into a neighbor that loved next who him. She gave me the rundown on Sam. He had a very mild form of attention deficit disorder but usually told people it was severe autism to get sympathy. She even mentioned several arrests he's had in the last few years though she didn't know the charges. He also harassed every woman on a three block radius. After hearing her gossip for a while I had to check for myself. I mean I had let this guy in my home several times. All I had to do was search his name and instantly several arrests and news articles had popped up. Assault, elder abuse, harassment, you name it, he had it.

"Sam, you're not welcome here. Please leave." I gritted my teeth, knowing it would take cops to get him to leave. I really don't need co workers know I put my body on display. I'm fucking doomed to be a laughing stock.

In the background a car door opened and a man emerged. I being too busy to notice that he was approaching.

"Hey! Fucker! She told you to leave and you better before I make you." His voice bellowed from him. He was hulking. He stood at 6'6 with large muscular arms and was dressed in dark clothing. His skin looked quite tan in the limited light.

"Well look who it is Aurora, so how much did you pay him to pretend to be your boyfriend? Dirty slut!" Sam chortled. His laugh sent chills up my spine. I've always hated associating with anyone as filthy as him. The man approaching quickly picked up his pace towards us and swiftly grabbed Sam by the back of the neck. In one swift motion he threw him down the stairs. Sam tumbled slightly down the first few steps and caught himself on the fourth. The force he was thrown by still propelled him down the final step landing on his ass. He stared up at me, eyes wide with fear behind his thick glasses. The man jumped down after him landing perfectly.

"Now if you come here again, I won't be so kind. Harassment is illegal and we will go through the courts if you show up in front of her again. You better stay in your lane, you thick skulled ape." The man's voice gritted against San, who finally got the pictures and booked it to his house down the street.