The Stranger I Knew

There I was, walking under the city lights. The night was young and so was I. All was quiet until I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw no presence. Walking a couple miles more, I heard someone running, again, behind me. There was no one there. I stood there, my heart racing, as I knew I was being followed. I decided to run back toward my vehicle parked in the lot just a mile ahead. As soon as I got in and locked the doors, I heard a familiar voice: "Why are you afraid of me?" My heart sunk deeper into my chest. It sounded like an elderly woman. 

"Hey, it's okay. I just want to help you." I felt a hand on my shoulder.

My head slowly turned to see a woman, around the age of 75, siting next to me in the passenger's seat.

"Pardon me, but how the hell did you get in here? Were you the one following me?"

"Well, that's a complicated question with a complicated answer, I'm afraid. You know the answer, though. It's within you, but since you're lost, I'll answer it for you. You got me in here and have been following me."

"I'm sorry...I got you in here? I was following you?"

"Yes, of course. Don't you know yourself anymore? Do you recognize me?"

"No. I mean, I know who I am; however, I don't recognize you at all."

"I should've known. You're always running from me. I'm not sure what you're afraid of. We all have to face ourselves sometime, especially when our future depends on it."

"Okay, so, are you an angel or something?"

"Not really. I mean, it depends what you mean by that."

"Just...who are you?"

There was a long pause of silence. The woman looked down at the floor, looked back up while avoiding to have to look at my face.

"Well, who are YOU?" She asked with a smile across her face.

"I am me. 'Just a stranger to you."

"...and to yourself." She added to my statement. "Really though, you're no stranger, my dear...maybe to yourself, but I know you. As for me, I'm only a stranger because you refuse to accept who I am and who you're becoming."

I looked away, confused and angry. What was this woman trying to pull? I glanced at my eyes in the rear-view mirror, no longer questioning the mysterious appearance of this woman. My eyes were dark brown as always, but this time, lines defined them. Crow's feet and all...

I looked back at the woman. Her eyes were as mine.

That's when it hit me. I cried in fear and relief. My world felt like it raised to the heavens as I now had a chance to face myself once and for all. Wiping my eyes, I told her, "I'm tired of running." She took my hand and shed a tear of joy.

"There you are. We have a lot of catching up to do..."