PUNISHMENT II


    SARABAND


    In the lingering hours of darkness, the slender hands of the clock had already ventured well beyond midnight. The surrounding neighborhood was cloaked in a profound stillness, characteristic of the deep Sunday nocturne. Every home and alley were steeped in silence, save for the soft echoes of the weary steps made by Callista as she traced the short path from her parked vehicle to her main entrance.


    A reigning quiet that was momentarily disrupted by a subdued jingle —the faint serenade of her wireless door chimes; acting more or less as a harbinger for the imminent surge of enthusiasm that was now hurtling towards her.


    The frantic pitter-patter of four minuscule paws and the almost desperate whimpers made by the tiny creature yearning for affection effortlessly tore Callista’s brittle heart. She had scarcely crossed the threshold to her home before she found herself crouching down, trying and failing to match the fervent motions made by the ruby-coated puppy bouncing around her feet.


    He held the court as Sir Chocolate Milk the First —her baby and source of comfort amongst murky waters. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog had been welcomed into Callista’s life during the tumultuous months preceding her graduation; but while he had benefited from copious amounts of attention and diligent training during his formative months… He was already showing clear indications of anxiety due to all the time he was left alone in the house, something the nurse couldn’t successfully alleviate after being ensnared by the erratic schedule dictated by rotating hospital shifts.


    “That’s no good, Sir Choccy.” Callista tried to appease the overzealous puppy with soft-spoken words as she wrapped her hands gently around his frame, lifting him off the ground to cradle him against her body. “You have to settle down, what if you wake up a neighbor?”


    Not like her efforts amounted to much. The Cavalier’s frame quivered in response to her proximity, breathing in shallow waves as the excitement of having his human back home seemed to overwhelm him. The petite paws paddled against her chest incessantly, and his tail fluttered like a banner in the softly illuminated hall as Choccy struggled to press his muzzle against Callista’s cheek —a veritable shower of love that the similarly small young woman had come to anticipate after every grueling shift at work.


    Or at the very least, the most selfish side of her.


    Allowing herself a moment to relish in the warmth being offered to her, Callista couldn’t help but wonder how healthy or fair it all was for Choccy.


    She walked towards the nearest couch to place him above the soft cushions, much like one might handle a piece of glassware that held sentimental value, before sitting beside him. The sight of those enthralled eyes looking up at hers melted away some residual fatigue left from the sterile hospital rooms, but it also made her feel even more guilty as collateral.


    Considerations towards dog daycare or pet sitters had already been thoroughly evaluated by the young nurse, but her feet continued to quail over the first step. This wasn’t the first time she had felt remorseful pangs as she worried about Choccy’s solitude and mental well-being; but ultimately, more pressing fears continued to grip her heart.


    Callista had a hard time trusting others. She couldn''t quite believe the legitimacy behind internet reviews, and she remained skeptical in blindly accepting promises of professionalism. The thought of leaving her precious and loyal puppy in the hands of strangers filled her with apprehension.


    What if the staff mishandled her frail and tender little baby? What if her Choccy encountered larger, more aggressive dogs to be left injured and traumatized as a result?


    With those queries tangling inside her head into worried knots, Choccy simply jumped in and off her lap in over-excited twirls and chases of his own tail in joyous abandon —a routine of pure joy that never failed to ignite a smile on Callista’s weary face, infusing a much-needed touch of innocence into her life. This simple pleasure seemed a stark contrast to the whispers of envy and the malicious gossip that went on unchecked in the hospital corridors, or the heavy burden of expectations conveyed in her mother’s frequent calls.


    ‘Moreover... What if Choccy grew to prefer someone else''s company over hers?’ Was a last, intrusive and insidious thought that felt like a prickle in her chest before being forcefully cast aside. This was about taking care of her dog’s needs, not about her irrational fears or insecurities.


    And what better way to do just that than to exhaust some of Choccy’s excess energy by venturing out for an evening walk? It would certainly be a more productive alternative to dwell on what-ifs or doomsday scenarios. Perhaps it was a desire to escape all those intrusive thoughts that led Callista to disregard how late it already was —already nearing 1 AM rather than midnight.


    There was nothing to worry about, she told herself. Her neighborhood was constantly surveilled by security cameras, and the presence of nearby security booths offered additional peace of mind.


    Having been forced to lead a calculated and risk-averse life by her parents... Little acts like walking her dog by night brought to Callista a refreshing sense of liberation now that she was finally independent.


    With the leash securely fastened to Choccy Milk''s collar, he pranced about all the more wildly as the two of them ventured to their nocturnal stroll. A cool breeze weaved through Callista’s hair and caressed her face, her steps guided mostly by eager tugs made by her canine companion, even as her gaze remained fixed on the vast, empty night sky above.


    The trees lining the neighborhood loomed large, their perennial shadows making her life appear minuscule in comparison. They brought a strange sense of serenity over the troubled young nurse. After all, no matter how many mistakes she made or how often she found herself flustered, the relentless march of seasons would persist unaffected.


    But even as she acknowledged this fact, Callista could not suppress the unease that gnawed at her stomach as the memories of past transgressions, of the bitter betrayals of those she once trusted, tried to sneak their way onto her memory even when she tried to grapple them away.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    She was aware of how the fear of deepening her unhealed emotional scars had gotten to the point that it impaired her ability to make decisions, all in the desperate attempt to conceal her insecurities from the prying eyes of the world, circling around her head like vultures over prey.


    Not even Callista was entirely sure of how she managed to maintain that superficially gentle and cordial facade she presented to her colleagues and patients. Her interactions with all of them, even when she had been told of the many nasty rumors they were spreading behind her back, came off almost effortlessly.


    It wasn’t all that easy, was it? Every interaction demanded a concerted effort of self-imposed challenges, each fairly successful conversation filled with hurdles, as if they were merely check-boxes to be ticked off rather than anything else.


    Despite her mother''s persistent inquiries about potential suitors that would never come, Callista knew deep down that she was merely projecting the role of the dutiful daughter, deflecting the questions with practiced ease.


    And now, as she stared emptily at the rustling leaves falling around her path, she couldn’t help but let her mind stray off to the potential day where her carefully cultivated persona might come crumbling down around her, leaving everything exposed for all to see.


    That would have been the entire palette of menial concerns that would occupy Callista Nilsson’s head-space if not for a sharp cracking noise taking her out of her obliviousness, making her eyes dart around her in the dead silence of night. Sir Choccy''s dissatisfaction with their sudden stillness was evident in his frustrated whimpers, yet the young nurse found herself transfixed, narrowing her eyes as she tried to discern on a silhouette hidden behind a dense thicket of bushes in the distance.


    Her heart quivered when she felt a growing certainty that it was a human figure hiding within the shadows, swiftly casting aside all of the previous concerns to replace them with a brand new wave of questions and worries. Who was this person? What were they hoping to achieve lurking so late in the night? Were they a robber, lying in wait for an opportunity to invade one of her neighbors’ homes?


    Gripping Choccy’s leash more tightly, Callista felt a growing sentiment of dread taking hold of her. The most sensible course of action, she reasoned, would be to approach this mysterious figure to confront them, in the hope of driving them away from the neighborhood —yet fearful of what such an encounter might entail for her, she chose to avert her gaze and quicken her pace, eager to put as much distance as possible between herself and this stranger.


    What had begun as an experiment in empowerment ended up making her feel even more tiny and pathetic than ever —but honestly, she could deal with her feelings of worth once she was once again safely embraced within the protective walls of her home; even when there was no one there to cower behind.


    She turned a corner prematurely in order to shorten her trip back, but she quickly came to regret it as she was surrounded by a different atmosphere from the previously well-illuminated streets.


    The imposing foliage that she once saw as an awe-inspiring ambiance had now morphed into a sinister labyrinth of potential hiding places under the darkened trees, casting eerie shadows that danced and flickered under the scarce artificial lighting.


    Worst of all, a role reversal ended up happening between Callista and Choccy, the nurse finding herself pulling on his leash as he resisted every step they took. With ears perked and a tail stiff with alertness, the small Cavalier fixated on a particularly overgrown thicket across the street, emitting a low, menacing growl.


    Choccy’s unexpected transformation from silly fluff ball to unlikely hunter only served to heighten Callista’s paranoia, causing her to startle at even the faintest rustle of leaves or the distant hoot of an owl. In the dark recesses of her mind, she couldn’t help but imagine if the mysterious figure from earlier was tracking her down, lying in wait among the shadows to pounce at any moment.


    However, soon enough, she didn’t have to rely on imagination alone to fuel the trembles coursing through her body.


    As she and Choccy rounded the final corner, a masculine shape came into view behind her back, his face and features still obscured by the distance between them.


    Color completely left Callista’s already pale face, and dog barks sliced through the silence as Choccy stubbornly pulled on his leash, growling and straining to face the stranger rather than running away with her.


    For better or worse, the stalker didn’t seem to be in any rush to close the gap between them. Instead, he simply appeared satisfied to have abandoned his earlier hiding place to now boldly show himself in the distance.


    Her horror only deepened when Callista realized that the figure wasn’t content with merely watching her from afar either. A quick glance over her shoulders confirmed her worst fears —he was indeed following her.


    Each ragged breath she took felt like drawing air through a thick, suffocating fog; making it harder to take in even the smallest gulp of oxygen as he continued to walk behind her, their roles now settled in a twisted hunt where she was the prey.


    Clinging tightly to Choccy’s leash, Callista sent a desperate plea for the safety of her home to please appear faster before her, the once peaceful night having turned into a waking nightmare —each step forward filled with frightening uncertainty.


    Unable to control her rising panic any longer, she scooped Sir Chocolate Milk into her arms and broke into a sprint, her heart pounding wildly in her chest and her breath coming in short, frantic gasps.


    A wash of relief fell on her shoulders when she finally reached her front door, her hands fumbling nervously with the lock before slamming it shut behind her with a jarring thud. The distant chime of her doorbells did little to soothe her frazzled nerves as she hurriedly bolted every lock and security measure she had available, her eyes squeezing tightly after finally giving free rein to her dog, who only continued darting about in overexcited unawareness.


    Was it over? She desperately wished for that to be the case, but her legs remained frozen in place for a good couple of minutes, trapping her in a paralyzing fear that kept her from seeking the reassurance of knowing for sure.


    Her hands trembled as they reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen, hesitant to call for help. Surely… Whoever was daring enough to follow her in the streets would simply leave now that she wasn’t vulnerable and exposed in the open, right?


    Against her instincts demanding her to just lock herself inside her bedroom to try and leave everything in the past, another side of them screamed to take action. Gathering every ounce of courage she could muster, Callista slowly made her way to the living room, one hand pressing the phone tightly on her chest as if it could somehow calm her racing heart.


    With another deep, shuddering sigh, she summoned the strength to move the blinds aside and peer out into the darkness, hoping that this awful experience would finally be over.


    But instead of finding solace in the emptiness outside, she was met with the chilling sight of the man once again. He stood just beyond the reach of the dim porch light, his features obscured by the shadows cast by his hooded raincoat.


    If this was some cruel prank being played at her expense, it had gone far beyond the boundaries of what Callista could tolerate. Fighting the urge to hyperventilate, she fumbled over her phone and dialed the police number, her voice already trembling as she struggled to find the words to properly convey the horror that was suddenly invading her otherwise uneventful life.


    Unable to tear her gaze away from the ominous figure, Callista watched in terror as he finally retreated into the shadows, vanishing to a place where her eyes couldn’t follow. The development might have been reassuring under different circumstances, but the absence of the stalker only served to exacerbate her mounting panic.


    Now she was left in the dark, uncertain of his whereabouts or intentions.


    Her mind raced as she considered each terrifying possibility. Was he now searching for another point of entry, like a different door or window? Did she lock every other entrance properly before everything began? The question swirled around in her head, threatening to overwhelm her right there and then in the process.


    Her jaw clattered in desperate anxiety as she begged for an emergency operator to pick up the line —now acutely aware of every little sound from the vast darkness that surrounded the home where she lived entirely alone.