Her college degree had given her the edge.

Shaking her head and turned away from the fence, Allison remembered her interview with the managers for the sales team supervisor job. They’d discussed her education- a bachelor’s in business with a minor in communications- and seemed impressed. Since being offered the job she’d figured that must have been the reason she got it. She hadn’t done anything underhanded like Gillian had suggested, and the accusation still bristled.

She’d decided that jumping the fence could backfire on her- climbing it may not have been too difficult but she had a bit of a clumsy streak and was worried she’d fall and make too much noise. Landing in a bush she didn’t realize was right below her could create problems, and she might shout in pain if she injured herself somehow. She hurried back down the street, upset that she had gotten so close but couldn’t make it home.

The main road stayed deserted, some rare vehicle noises in the distance but none approaching. Allison made good time at her near-jogging pace, getting down the block and turning right down a neighborhood street. As she moved, she glanced towards every house to make sure no lights were on. This late at night, it seemed that everyone was sound asleep.

She reached the end of the block and took another right. Another row of houses in front of her, cars in driveways and along the road, sporadic streetlights providing the only illumination.

Halfway down the block a house on her right had lights on inside. Allison crept forwards and watched, careful to keep herself in shadows. She didn’t see any movement for a full minute, but decided she didn’t care to chance things. She moved to the other side of the street and passed the house from a distance. Once she was several yards beyond it, she crossed back.

Allison made the final right turn and set foot on her street. Getting close to home again reinvigorated her spirits and encouraged her to move faster. She set into a full jog, her hands falling away from her body so she could swing her arms. She kept looking around frantically, checking windows for lights and for any sign of movement that could be a person.

Finally she reached the lawn of her house. Looking ahead and across the street she saw that the older neighbor had gone back inside. Sighing in frustration Allison cut across her lawn towards the front door. She didn’t have her keys with her- Gillian had kept her purse along with all of her clothing. Luckily Allison had a spare stashed under a flower pot on her porch.

After retrieving the key, Allison opened the front door, stepped inside and took a deep breath in relief. She’d made it home with minimal people seeing her, and avoided any possible legal trouble that could have arisen from a police officer happening to drive by her.

As she reached for the lights, she tried to think if Gillian had given any indication of being upset with her after the promotion was announced.