The opening shift was far better than the closing shift, with only a couple early birds ever entering the cafe for their morning caffeine fix. Usually only regulars, of whom you had grown to recognise and expect. One guy in particular, named Niki would always make sure to pop in and make conversation with you.

Well...he would try to at least. He seemed a little awkward, as if he were overthinking his every word and what to say next. His demeanor invoked a strange sense of pity in you, the way he would just admire the world outside through the windows of the cafe, instead of mindlessly scrolling on his phone like the other customers. You couldn't help your curiosity, wondering if he came by on his way to work or if he was just an early bird by nature. Either way, for some reason, you felt the need to be extra polite to him, as if he were sensitive and fragile.

Maybe he had mistaken your kindness for interest...is what you told yourself, in an effort to console yourself after seeing him for the seventh time that week outside of work. It was almost as if you couldn't escape him. He seemed to be everywhere you looked. A spontaneous shopping trip one random afternoon became another encounter with him, it was like he could somehow read your mind and knew your every next move.

Days out with friends, bus trips into town, even when you would go to the library to exchange your book he was always there in the distance somewhere. Your paranoia only worsened when you noticed that your motion detector garden light would always flicker into life at around 2am. Always without fail.

And so one night you stayed awake by the back door leading to the garden, in hopes of finally putting an end to your mental turmoil. As expected, at around 2am the lights activated and you peered through the glass doors to catch a glimpse, despite the feeling of dread that gnawed at you from the inside. You saw...

...nothing.

And so you opened the door and hesitantly peered out into the faintly lit garden. Only to quickly regret that decision as someone suddenly forced their way through the door, causing you to stumble back. Your eyes widened and your heart hammered in your chest as you stared up at the very last person you wanted to see... ...Niki.

He closed the door and turned to face you, his gaze was intense as he examined your scared expression. He no longer seemed like the timid, awkward guy you would often encounter at work. He looked like a man burdened with frustrations beyond your awareness. He took a step closer to you, and finally broke the silence

"We need to talk..."