The night was young but black as midnight. Car lights broken by mini blinds occasionally interrupted the darkness covering the walls. Outside was quiet other than those lonely cars passing by the college campus and the coo of a bird in the discernible distance.

The girl was ready to run away. Not forever, but long enough to remind everyone of her importance. Miss one day of school and nobody takes much notice. Miss 14 days and friends begin to regret that time they turned down meeting up for dinner and acquaintances wish they had been a little nicer for fear that news of your disappearance will not end well.

She pulled on a navy blue hoodie and glanced at her snoring roommate.

Who’s going to troubleshoot your computer and remind you to take your pills now?

A sneer spread as she looked away from the ungrateful roommate.

My siblings will wish they’d never ignored my phone calls, she continued thinking as she headed out into the hallway.

Nothing burdened her – She was going to live completely free. No phone, no backpack, not even the pack of gum that lay half finished on her nightstand.

Stepping off campus brought about a giddiness and the girl skipped down the sidewalk for a block. Looking up at the first intersection street sign she came upon, she pondered where to go. The campus was on the main street and she always took this route day after day. It has to be different now!

To the right was another popular street busy in the daytime. To the left was a less traveled path, one that led to third-rate convenience stores and abandoned buildings.

With sophomoric consideration, she darted across the street to the left. She took a leisurely pace, stopping here and there to observe new sights.

The dim streetlights barely did any favors, but the girl strolled on without apprehension. She even said hello to a passerby!

Things were going to be great! Already the burdens of the real world had disappeared and a huge weight was lifted. Of course she would return to the real world, but in the moment everything was perfect.

“Beware, child. The Night Man cometh…”

The girl stopped in front of the vestibule of a rundown motel and smiled at the old hag that had spoken to her.

“Excuse me?” she asked politely.

“The Night Man cometh,” repeated the hag, pulling her shabby shawl tighter around her large, old frame. “Run. Run away before he gets you.”

“Uh, ok, thanks!” the girl said, rolling her eyes.

At the end of the block, she happened upon a park. She took a seat on the nearest bench to enjoy the cool night air. The stars twinkled in the moonless night and the girl watched for one to shoot across the black sky. To her surprise, a shooting star did pass.

“I wish everyone knew how essential I am to their lives,” the girl whispered to the star. “Teachers can always rely on me to raise my hand in class. The volleyball team is nothing without their captain. My family needs me to plan special occasions. Friends always come to me for advice. Everybody needs me.”

“Yes, they do,” came a low growl from the dark.

The girl swiveled on the bench and was confronted by

darkness.

“Everybody needs a part of you,” came the same growl.

Before she could look the other direction, two burly arms wrapped around her from behind. A hand slipped up to her mouth to prevent a scream.

“I have one person who could use your eyes,” whispered the Night Man into her right ear. “And another that could use your kidneys. Do you know how much I could get for your heart?” He laughed as the girl tried to break free from his grip. “Oh yes, everyone needs you and everyone will be so happy I found you.”

In the distance, the old hag cackled.