She had not seen him. There was no time left, if he was still outside, dusk would fall. She prayed he was inside as she scurried across the crumbling pavement. Her breath came in short gasps. Panic nibbled at her edges. Must stay calm. Must get inside.

She frantically scrabbled for the key, her trembling hands frustrating her. The sun was concealed behind buildings, shadows creeping out from corners. The ephemeral gloom grew more and more concrete, a palpable threat at her back. She whimpered as she fit the key in the lock, then bolted inside and slammed the metal door shut.
Her knees were shaky as she turned on the bare bulb and leaned against the door. She tried to calm herself. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Slowly she turned to view an empty room.
End
~ M. D. Flyn