Simone had walked from her place of work to her home many times, but never as late as she was this night.

The pressure of a project deadline and a demanding boss had caused her to have to stay late to get as much work done as she could.

Now she was hurrying home with only one thought in her mind, to get into her nice warm bed and gain some well deserved rest before she had to return to complete her work tomorrow.

Her walk took her along the main road, which was well lit and frequent cars and pedestrians could be seen coming and going as they travelled to their own destinations.

Soon Simone came to the side streets that lead to her house, this whole area was very familiar to her as she had lived in the same house ever since her mother had died, nearly eight years ago.

She missed her mother and the wonderful times that they had shared together, many of those moments were now playing through her mind as she was walking.

The night air seemed to have an unusual chill about it and as she walked Simone kept having a strange sensation of being followed and a distinct feeling that someone or something was getting closer and closer to her.

She tried to dismiss the thoughts and feelings that she was having and to just concentrate on getting home. But time and time again she could not help but take a quick look over her shoulder, becoming increasingly convinced that she would see somebody behind her.

Simone started talking to herself as she walked, “don’t be so silly”, she said, “stop being a frightened little girl”, “who would want to hurt you”.

And as she spoke her feelings of confidence began to return. Why is it, she thought, that when night comes we always immediately assume that something bad is hiding in the shadows just waiting to harm us.

Simone wished she had not thought about the shadows, because now in the reduced light of the neon street lights the shadows started to appear like ghostly forms, slowly moving towards her as she walked.