For Stephanie, it was a normal night like any other. As she left work, she headed out on her regular route home. Little did she know that tonight would be anything but ordinary.
After parking her car at her apartment, Stephanie walks across the street and in to the convenience store, she speaks to Robert, the usual clerk and continues about her business.
Stephanie: Good evening Robert. How’s it going?
Robert: (With sweat coming from his brow, Robert nervously replies.) Oh, a little busy tonight. No time for chatting.
Stephanie: I’ve had a long day. I won’t keep you too long. Just give me the usual.
Robert: Ok, that is a latte with double the caffeine?
Stephanie: No silly, you know that I don’t drink caffeine. Give me a double fudge hot chocolate, with whipped cream and cinnamon.
Robert: We’re out of whipped cream, but you can have this one on the house.
As he nervously hands her the cup, a figure appears in the back of the store. Stephanie does not notice the man in the background, or the one hiding behind the counter just at Robert’s feet. Robert looks nervously past Stephanie and pleads with his eyes for the man to leave her bee. But, he has no intentions of that.
He moves forward and as Stephanie turns to exit the store, He appears out of no where giving her quite a fright.
Stephanie: OH MY GOOD! You startled me. The man looks at her and smiles.
Man: Oh, there is no need to be scared. I just want to be your friend.
Stephanie: (Feeling a little nervous, she heads for the exit.): I am not interested in any new friends.
Man: Sure you are, Sweet Thang. (He grabs her arm and she quickly jerks away.)
Stephanie: KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!
Robert: Hey leave her alone man!
Man: Alright! I was just kidding. (The man opens the door and signals to Stephanie to go.): After You.
Stephanie: Thank You. (She rushes out the door and the man follows).
As the man enters a car, Stephanie finally feels a sigh of relief. Little did she know that this night of horror was just beginning. As she crosses the street, she is unaware that the man is watching her every move.