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I stop in my tracks.

I needed to stop and talk my way out of this.

I mean, he probably was security and just trying to protect the carnival.

“Listen. I know I messed up.” he walks even closer until our toes touch.

“But, I promise I won’t do it again.”

I tilt up my neck and try to look for any distinctness of the face behind the mask.

He doesn’t respond, but just continues the stare down he’s had from the jump.

Fear rushes over me, but just underneath it, something else stirred.

Why did my toes curl?

Why were my palms sweating?

What reactions were these?

It had to be fear.

Point blank period.

The only other time I felt this way, was when I was making out with Johnny Meadows in the tenth grade.

I was still looking up at him, when one of his hands reaches forward.

I hold my breath as I watch him trace down my left arm, slowly.

Not touching.

Just hovering.

I realize he’s wearing gloves.

Black, to be exact.

What the heck?

Goosebumps littered over my skin as he ran his finger back up my arm in a phantom touch.

My pulse raced.

I look down as I continue to watch.

The shivers erupt all over my body as he continues.

Wait, why am I letting this strange person even come this close to me?

I don’t know, but I like it.

Somehow.

My own hand comes up and just hangs in the air as I think of what I was going to do.

I glance up and watch as the person tilts his head to the side. As if asking what I was doing.