The Bane Of My Existence

Chapter 1: The Bane

There was a calm settling over the waters as I sat on the edge of the docks looking out. The sky turning bright orange from the setting sun meant it was time to return home, but I wanted to linger just a bit longer. As I continued to stare at the sea, I had the feeling there was someone watching me, but when I looked around, I couldn't see anyone in the gloom. I chuckled and said to myself, "You're getting jittery, Bud." Then proceeded to stand and head home.
My name is Milton Haether, but everyone calls me Buddy. I've spent the past 3 years just working my job, and living a boring life, but that is all about to change.
When I was in school, I was the bookworm, the teacher's pet, and the like. I was friends with everyone, and yet with no one. It wasn't that no one liked me, or even hated me, but I was shy and didn't open up, so I was ignored most of the time. There was one kid who I considered my close friend, because he was very similar to me, and we could talk about anything. His name was Mitchell Darius. Mitch and I hung out together during our breaks and recess, but we were never truly close, we didn't know a lot about each other, and we didn't need to. All that mattered was that we had fun together. Then one day, in the middle of our freshman year in high school, he mysteriously moved away. I never saw Mitch again, and I eventually forgot about him. As I got older, and got a job, I became more open, not as shy, and discovered a whole world opened up to me.
One day, I received a letter from Mitch. It read,

"Dear Buddy,

It's been forever since we've seen each other, and I hope you still remember me. I'm moving back into town, and was hoping we could get together to catch up. If you like, give me a call at 555-1273.

Mitch"

I couldn't believe it! My friend from years past, finally coming back, and he wanted to meet with me! I called the very next day, and set up a meeting with him at the local coffee shop. When I arrived, he was already sitting there, waiting for me. As I walked up, he smiled and stood to greet me and shake my hand. We sat down, and ordered coffee, then started talking. When I asked where he had been all these years, he merely brushed aside the question, and said "That's not a very interesting subject."
I pushed the thought away, figuring he'd tell me when the time was right. We sat there with our coffees talking for a couple hours before he stood and said "Well, I need to head back to work, got a job with a local construction group." and then left. I stayed for a few minutes longer, before heading back home to get ready for work myself.
We continued to hang out from time to time over the next few weeks, and more and more I tried learning more about Mitch, but he always eluded the question. One day he didn't show. I waited an hour for him, then left, figuring he got stuck at work, or became sick and couldn't make it. When I reached home, there was a police officer waiting for me.
The police officer asked me if I knew man named Mitchell Darius. When I answered yes, he told me he needed me to come down to the station for questioning. Once there, they proceeded to bombard me with questions. "When was the last time you saw Darius?" "Did you know he was a wanted man?" "Are you one of his accomplices?" I answered them honestly, and they believed me, and asked me to contact them if I ever saw or heard from Mitch again. On my way home, I stopped by the docks to look out over the water and think. The calm that settled over the ocean was breathtaking, and the sun hung low in the sky.
As I started to return home, I had the feeling I was being followed, but when I turned around, there was no one there, and no shadows for anyone to hide in, but the feeling was still there. I kept a watchful eye out as I walked home, but never saw anyone, and never shook off the feeling of being watched, even after I got inside.
Over the next couple of weeks, as I continued my normal routine, I never shook the feeling of being watched. I simply ignored it, and continued about my daily business, thinking I was just being paranoid. One night when I returned home from work, I noticed a light left on in the kitchen, even though I remember making sure all the lights were out before I left. Electricity costs too much not to make sure. I walked into the kitchen, only to have a rag that smelled funny clamped over my mouth and nose, and next thing I know, I'm out.