Faust

Bus stop

I met her about 5 years ago, and until this day I still remember vividly that eventful night. It was raining. I just finished my job, and the rain suddenly starts pouring down, I quicken my steps and get into the metal canopy of a bus stop, my apartment is about 40 minutes walk from here, but I'm not interested in getting wet just to go home a few minutes quicker.

I sit down on the metal bench and made sure no one is following me, I didn't kill anyone in that last gig, but someone did die, just not by my hands. Even so, it has become a habit of mine to check if I've been tailed after any sort of illegal activity (probably got this from stealing food in Chinatown back when I was even younger), I glance to the left and see nothing but darkness, the rain blocks out the last bit of light.

At that moment I felt it. I'm being watched.
***

This stop is located between the residential area for low-income families and the night market in the red-light district so you can probably guess the city utilities in this part is not that great, more specifically the streetlights. On my way here I didn't see more than 10 functioning streetlights, and on a night like this, the visibility is close to none. Not sure if it can be counted as good luck, but the lamp to the left of this bus stop is working fine which is good news and bad news at the same time.

The good news is I can at least check if I got wounded by the little "misunderstanding" that happened minutes ago, being a mediator is not an easy job, but I can proudly say that I'm pretty good at it. But not when one side is hiding something from the other without telling me first.

The bad news is since this lamp is working fine (finer than the others) and I'm currently at the bus stop, anyone in the dark within 50m can see me clearly but I cannot. It's like being locked in an interrogation room made with one-way mirror.

But that's not why I felt like I'm being watched.

The right corner of the bus stop is not illuminated either since the metal canopy blocks the light from the lamp to the left; it became a blind spot to me.

"Hello, stranger."

I skipped a heartbeat, then immediately turned to the right, there she sits, in the rain, smoking.

Judging by looks she is about 29 to 32 years old, can't really tell how tall she is since she's currently sitting on the bench too, black curled hair, pale chiseled face adorned with old fashion makeup (shorter eyelashes, not overly decorated, without glimmers), black wool coat, and a pair of shiny red boots. Her face has expressions of both tiresome and amusement.

"Miss," I said while giving her a little nod.

There is something wrong, subtle but I can feel it, a feeling of uncertainty creeps up and sends a shiver down my spine, something is out of place in this scenario, but I can't point my finger at it.

I turn my head and check the left side again but still nothing, just the abyss of darkness, I turn my head back and realize the woman is still watching me, she takes another puff, and then passes the cigarette to me. Now I'm the one with an amused expression on.

"You seem tense, and this is my last smoke so might as well share it." She shrugs.

I take the cigarette from her index and middle finger and take a deep drag, not my usual type but it does make me a bit more relaxed.

I wait a few seconds to choose my words "If you don't mind me asking, why would you be out on your own so late at night?" I ask before giving back her smoke.