Kagome kept walking, her steps deceptively light and steady, even as she was aware that she was being followed.
The petite raven dared not look back. Yet she was certain, with that blessed intuition that most females were graced with, that her stalker was indeed behind her. To be specific, he had been following her since she got off at the train station, and Kagome cursed under her breath.
She should have listened to Sango and not left the clerical office so late. Or at least take her firm partner up on the offer to share a cab. But Kagome, ever the practical girl, was trying to save up on money.
Now I'm going to get murdered for being a cheapskate, she thought ruefully.
It was a cold night too, so the amount of people walking outside was minimal for what was the norm. Most had turned in for the night in anticipation for the supposed thunderstorm headed their way. The loneliness of the streets only served to heighten her fear and paranoia, where innocent shadows looked like demons ready to pounce. Kagome turned a corner, hoping, praying really, that the little market next to her apartment would still be open. She could hide out in there for a while; perhaps the stalker would give up and leave her alone when he realized his prey was not worth his time.
At exactly the same moment that she finished rounding the sidewalk corner, something large barreled against her. The force was so strong Kagome was immediately knocked off her feet, giving a small pained cry as she was sent sprawling into a small dark alley.
Kagome looked up with a gasp as the entry to the alley was completely filled by a large, black form. The man was massive, blocking the streets with his entire body and dimly Kagome realized how exceptionally small she was. His features were hidden by shadows, except for one broad smile that sent her heart hammering against her chest. This was it, she thought dejectedly, eyes glazing over-
"Are you alright, miss?"
A hand, large but gentle, wrapped around her forearm and pulled her up. Kagome's body was still tittering with the aftershock of adrenaline, but she puffed out a nervous laugh at the man. "Yes, thank you. I should have watched where I was going, sorry." she apologized unnecessarily, a nasty habit that she had been trying to kick. Nerves had a way of hijacking her brain though, and politeness was something horrifically ingrained in her.
"You're sorry? I should be the one apologizing, miss! Nearly knocked you to the next state! Come here, step into the light so I can see if I hurt you."
Kagome obliged, eager to be out of the alley and into an open area that offered escape routes. The stranger was being nice enough; but Kagome had worked enough criminal cases as a lawyer in the district attorney's office to know how folly it was to blindly trust men in dark alleys. Taking advantage of the light offered by the near lamppost, Kagome looked up at the stranger.
He was young, younger than she had suspected by the deep timber of his voice or the politeness which he addressed her with. His boyish face, unremarkably plain, was twisted with concern, clear grey eyes looking her up and down anxiously. His eyes settled on a spot and he groaned miserably. Kagome followed his horrified gaze down to her skirt, where it rested on the most monstrously huge stain she had ever seen. Kagome didn't even want to think about what sort of liquid it could be, desperately ignoring the foul smells coming from the alleyway behind her.
"I'm so sorry!" the young man bemoaned, covering his forehead with one hand as he brushed mousy brown hair aside. "Oh God, I- I can pay for that!" He assured her.
I fricking doubt that, this is Marc Jacobs!, Kagome mentally groaned with chagrin. Outwardly, she plastered a smile on her face, waving a dismissive hand. "Don't worry about it, it's just clothes." That cost half of my previous paycheck, but sure. Just clothes! she screamed shrilly on the inside. It was tough being a fashionable lawyer in the city.
The boy looked completely unconvinced, and he shook his head. "No, seriously! Give me your number and I can Venmo you the dry cleaning tab!"
"Look, that's really sweet but seriously, it's fine!"
"Please!" He begged, taking Kagome by surprise with the intensity of his voice. "My old man would box my ears if he ever found out I did something like this to a lady! Let me make it up to you somehow, miss! I can pay you, or take you somewhere to clean up - anything!"
Kagome softened at his exasperation. The young man must've been around her younger brother Souta's age, and her sibling was barely a freshman in college. Kagome sighed, trying to come up with a perfectly polite way to blow him off and still appease him; by the intensity of his gaze, he didn't look like he was going to let it go. Thinking, her eyes strayed down the dark street, knowing she still had three more blocks to walk in this dangerous city before she made it to the safety of her home. And suddenly, with a shiver, she remembered why she had been so scared in the first place.
"Actually..."Kagome started, an idea blinking into existence. The boy perked up, looking like a hopeful puppy. He might be young but, casting a glance at his athletic build, he would definitely work for what she needed.
"This is going to sound weird but...do you mind walking me home?" she asked him, biting her lip and hoping he wouldn't take this the wrong way.
Too late, she thought as a blush made itself prominent on his face. "Me?" he asked, incredulous.
She hesitated, wondering if she should abandon the idea altogether, but forged on. "The thing is...before bumping into you, I thought someone was following me."
"Really? When? Now?" The boy looked around, his brows drawing down and his chest puffing up menacingly. "Do you think he's still around?"
Kagome put up a placating hand up, appreciating his bravado but needing someone level-headed. "Look, I'm not even sure if there was someone, to be honest. But I'd feel better if I had an escort to keep me company the rest of the way, and this could be your way to pay me back. If you don't mind that is." she amended quickly.
"No, of course not, miss! Nights are dangerous times for ladies like yourself. You lead the way, and I'll be sure to keep a look-out for any weirdos!"
Kagome giggled, appreciating his youthful enthusiasm but also out of relief. "Perfect. Well, it's this way." Nodding to the right side of the street awkwardly, she began walking towards her destination. The boy quickly followed, keeping an appropriate distance to her and already calming her frazzled nerves as he dove into a long explanation of what she could best use to remove the stain once she got home. The prattle was meaningless - nothing could possibly salvage this skirt - but comforting, as the shadows in the streets receded into the darkness and the night appeared less frightening.
Perhaps it hadn't been totally awful to ruin her skirt if it meant peace of mind and a safe passage to her home.
Better a trip to the laundromat than to the morgue, she thought with dark amusement.