The stalker at the beach

The beach was deserted. She was walking alone. It was late evening and since it had rained quite heavily, no one had turned up to spend time on the beach. She did not mind. In fact, she loved the walk but it was getting rather late and she wanted to go back to her house before her father came home for dinner.

Alice's father was quite the busy lawyer but he always had time for his daughter, whenever she asked him to come to her place for dinner. Her mother had passed away a few years back and though her father had adjusted, she knew that he missed her cooking, terribly.

A cold wind blew, awakening her from her thoughts. She looked around and saw her house in the distance. It had been her dream project. People had asked her why she chose a place near the beach but she loved the sea and the beach. It was true that she lived alone but she often invited her friends over and they loved to spend time with her and also enjoy beach time.

Alice was suddenly aware of a presence. A sense, that something was walking behind her. She knew that there was nobody around. She was a brave lady and not young. She also had a revolver with her, all the time, just in case.

Alice was not afraid of ghosts. She had heard tales of ghosts on this particular beach and how many people had experiences. The locals were afraid of coming there alone after sunset. She believed that good-natured people would not be harmed and so she had nothing to fear. Yet, there was a sense of uneasiness that she felt. It felt as if she was about to face an unpleasant situation.

Stalkers. Could it be a stalker? She thought. She decided not to speed up her pace as it would alert the being that followed her. She also decided not to turn around or look back but she felt someone trying to catch hold of her. She jumped and turned to look, expecting the worst.

It was a man. He was trying to get her to notice him. Her sudden movement had made him stop and he fell down, swooning. She saw that he was well dressed but he was bleeding. He must have tried to ask for help but was too weak. A quick look around and she knew that they were alone. She decided to call the security guard from the beach security and lifeguard office which was quite nearby. He responded and came over quickly. Together, they took him over to the office. He told her to go home and he said he would call both the police and ambulance.

She started to leave but on second thoughts, the security guard said he would walk her back after the police arrived because the attacker who assaulted the stranger could still be around. She agreed and also telephoned her father to report the events. She asked him not to worry. He said he would come to the office and pick her up for having dinner at a restaurant rather than cook for him after the scare that she had. She knew her father well and so did not argue with him. Alice informed the officer and he was happy that she had someone to spend time with. He had seen her leading quite a lonely life.

The police arrived and so did the ambulance. Things were taken care of quickly. The police had a few words with her. Her father also arrived and they both went off to have their dinner. After dinner, her father asked her or rather ordered her to stay over at his house. She agreed. She was quite tired and did not relish the thought of spending the night alone.

The next morning, her father greeted her and told that she had done best by staying over at his house. The assaulters who had attacked the man for money had gone over to her house and tried to burgle it but they had been caught by the policemen who had expected it. She shuddered at the thought of having gone back even if the policemen had been there.

Life had taken a twist. She decided to look over at dating websites. She smiled when she saw her dad heaving a sigh of relief.

Written as a homework assignment for #thealliance

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(734 words)