Panic

“Oh...oh my god!” Marie said aloud, covering her mouth in horror. She quickly placed an arm over her ample breasts, and dashed madly for her front door. Whatever was left of her unawakened mind had all but completely turned into a panicked mess. She had felt like this before, the gut turning sound of the door clicking shut had been the trigger to recall the embarrassing memory. Only this time, she had not even a robe to cover herself with. She felt exposed on all sides, as if behind every leaf on every tree was another set of eyes gazing on her bare form.

She turned the knob fruitlessly over and over, each resounding failure making her cheeks redden in response. “What if the neighbors see me?” She thought in horror. After a few minutes of banging and laboring against the door, Marie concluded that the door was shut for good, despite how much she desperately wished it would open. She quickly crouched down, trying to conceal herself behind the bushes in her front yard.

Marie looked down at herself, confirming the worst again. “I can’t believe I did it again. I’ve managed to lock myself out three times.” Marie said to herself, slowly beginning to calm down. “At least I know where the key is! Unless...” She started, only to come up blank on where she’d placed the key after going inside. She looked horrified towards her door, the scene playing back in her head. Once she’d gotten inside, Marie had immediately discarded the key onto the counter, completely forgetting to replace it after getting dressed.

Now Marie began to lament herself. “Stupid! Why me? I’ll be humiliated if anyone I know sees me like this...” She thought to herself, wildly scanning her surroundings. Even this early in the morning, Marie knew cars and people might see her as they passed down the street, especially if the best coverage she could manage was some bushes that did little to conceal her naked body. She knew that staying in the front yard was doing nothing except making her embarrassed.

“I’ve got to move, but where?” Marie thought nervously. A car made its way past slowly, causing Marie to duck.