every morning she runs the jackie o loop

Day by day, I collect her.

She celebrates herself at the coffeehouse. So do I. I harvest her napkins, tissues, especially tampons.

Sweat pools in her clavicle. My monster mouth waters.

She’s the unwitting Princess of the Galaxy. With my sunglasses and Citi Bike, I pose as Area Man.

She switches her route, her coffeehouse. So do I.

Her fear only ratchets up her beauty. My urgency.

I’m waiting tonight as she exits the bus, braves her side-street shortcut home. She half-turns, sees my ready blade.

Slips off her heels, feigning insouciance.

Then kicks into a sprint—but so do I.

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Advancing story in the 2026 NYCMidnight 100 word Microfiction Round 2. Constraints: Genre: horror / Action: deboard / Word: area