…—…

I rush out of the house frantically looking for my coat and hat. My husband looked impatient with his arms crossed with a furrowed brow.

“Honey, did you get everything?”

Flushed with embarrassment I stuttered.

“Uhh, I-I think so. I hope so.”

He tipped his hat and smiled. He grabbed me around my waist and pulled me closer to him. He guided me to his car and opened the door for me. We were going to have a lovely night out. I smiled at him sweetly. I thought about whether or not I turned the television off, locked the door and if I left paper in our typewriter. My husband came in and kissed me.

“Well darling I believe this is going to be the night of our lives.”

He wasn’t wrong. Just then a sudden wave of paranoia came over me. I had no clue why, but I couldn’t shake it off. We took off to a lovely diner. I noticed a man in a large, oversized, tan trench coat, with black boots. He noticed me and quickly turned away. Huh, I wonder what his problem was.

“Darling? Darling? Sweetheart!”

“Yes, my love?”

“Are you not feeling well? You were completely ignoring me. That’s not like you.”

“Oh, I’m ok, but do you notice that man in the trench coat?”

“Eh?!”

I turned back and he was gone. I know I wasn’t imagining it. I’m not crazy. I was a little worried, but maybe it was my paranoia, or just me overthinking. Tonight was the night to relax. All of a sudden, my heart started pounding. It was as if I was running.

“Sweetheart, I’ll be right back ok? I don’t feel so well.”

He had a concerned expression.

“Ok.”

I left and hurriedly walked to the bathroom. I checked myself in the mirror and I looked tired. I smoothed out my dress, and fixed my hair. I rest my hand over my heart and felt it beat. It was unsteady.

“What’s going on with me? I was feeling peachy before we left!”

It got quicker. Something’s not right here. I gripped onto the sink’s side. I focused on my controlling my breathing and nothing worked. I felt a bit better but I hoped it would stop. I left and sat across from my husband. He looked worried.

“My love, you’ve been in there for 30 minutes. Are you sure you’re ok?”

“30 minutes? You must be mistaken! I’ve only been in there for about 5 to 10.

“No, darling. You’ve been in there for exactly half an hour. Do not argue with me. I’m not crazy.”

I started sweating involuntarily. I started to feel nauseous. He noticed and took my hand and we left. He caressed my hair.

“Just sleep, darling. We’re going home. We started driving and all I could focus on was the hum of the car. Very hypnotic if you ask me. I shut my eyes and tried sleeping. I couldn’t. My stomach was turning. We finally stopped and I opened the door and started to get out.

“NO! Don’t leave.”

I was confused but intimidated. I listened and stayed in the car. He got out and carried me bridal style.

“No, please put me down. I will throw up over you. Put me down.”

I got weaker and weaker the closer we got to the house. It was if I was dying. He opened the door and lead me up to the bedroom. He laid me down trying his best not to disturb me.

“I’ll be right back, sweetheart.”

“Okay.”

He left and I turned over to my side, where I noticed the typewriter. There were characters etched on it now. They were too small for me to see but when my husband came back, he to, noticed it. He ripped the paper from there and read it aloud.

“Dot dot dot, line line line, dot dot dot. From The Man in the Trench Coat.”

I knew exactly what that meant. It’s morse code for Save Our Soul.