I’ve walked down this same street for years. I can’t even remember how many, only that they are a lot. The same street lights, still on in the cold and dark winter morning. The same people walking on the sidewalks on each side of the street, at least they are equally anonymous to me. All running almost, rushing to get to work, or school or who knows where… I am one of them too, but I can’t see myself as them because I know where I’m going. The same bus stop every day where I stand quietly looking at my cell not to make eye contact with anybody. Listening to the same music not to engage in conversation or chit chat with anybody. All the same unknown faces that I’m not even interested in looking at.
Suddenly, I feel a pull to look up. Is there someone staring at me? That usually makes me look up, like a little voice nagging me to look up. As my eyes come slowly up from the screen to the sea of faces behind me in the line, all waiting for the bus, all looking at their own screens, I see him… or her… or it? Two black eyes… too black to be human. I feel a shiver going down my spine. I can’t look away. The hair is black also, but I can’t stop staring into the eyes. Red lips stretched in an abominable smile. The line starts moving but I’m pinned down. My feet don’t move. The music fades away, it’s just background noise. I can hear a poignant shrill around me. The eyes get closer and closer. I want to move, to run away! My lips open but there is no sound coming out. Get out! Stop looking at me! I want to scream but nothing comes out of my mouth. Then, I blink, as in slow motion. When my eyes open again, there’s no one around. The eyes disappeared. The people disappeared. The sound of the bus accelerating startles me. I jump backwards, fearing for my life. What was that? Where am I? What is happening?
I didn’t take that bus, or the next one. I stood on the sidewalk minutes, hours… I don’t know anymore. The lights shut off, the faceless people lined up again and again.