Most numbers don't surprise me anymore. In a town of around 11,000 people, you get used to seeing familiar faces, so I seldom put much thought into it. For example, Chris that works down at my Credit Union. We went to school together since we were kids. He was around 3,400 last I saw him. It sounds like a lot but we never really hung out that much.
If you want to hear alot, theres my best friend Sam. Her and I spent almost every day together until she went off to college and got that swanky job of hers. I think over Christmas she was around 98,000. I really do miss her, but I'm glad shes doing so well in the city.
You really start to notice when people make an effort to be around you. Jonathan from down the road always used to try getting my attention. He had such a crush on me during high school. My dad used to get so protective. He would joke I'm lucky I got my looks from my mother and not him. The last time I saw Jon he was at 8,645. That was before the accident. His poor mother never got over it. I dont see her much anymore.
Of course, when it first started, I thought I might've lost my mind or something. I remember coming down for breakfast that morning... was it 9 years ago now?... and seeing that green, glowing, bold face print above my mothers head. 132,406... still remember that one. I tried to point it out but it went about as well as you would expect. I miss mom and dad. They had me in their older years. I pray for them before bed.
Eventually, I learned to live with it. Learn from it. Who wanted to see me, who didnt make an effort, even whos schedules and habits matched up with mine. Some people at our local grocery store have higher numbers than you would expect just because we pass each other walking around and do our shopping on the same day.
I've also learned you don't really need to focus on them for their number to go up. Really if even your peripheral vision passes over them it will count. That being said, you must focus to actually see the number. Furthermore, you only get one tick if they stayed in your immediate area after you initially saw them. Not really useful but the more you know I guess.
Nowadays, low numbers are more surprising. Often its children or out of towners. People who just moved here, or are visiting family. It doesn't happen all to often, but I tend to notice them the most.
Thats why Mr. 32 caught my eye. At least thats what I named him at first. I noticed him when I was walking back to my car from work. He was just drinking some coffee on the park bench across the street. Seemed to be minding his own business.
The next time I noticed him it was a couple weeks later. I was carrying my groceries inside. He appeared to just be going for a walk. 95. As far as I knew no houses on the block had gone on sale. I didnt recognize him from anywhere. Out of towner?
Then out my work window 8 days later. 163. I made sure to walk out with my coworkers that evening.
Walking around the grocery store that weekend. 203. Leaving the gym a few days after, 279. I bought a gun that night. Then on my way to work a week later, a car in my rear view mirror, 341.
I called the police that day. What could I have told them? I see a magic number that tells me how many times I've seen someone and that this guy is creeping me out? They couldn't do much without a name or a crime.
I've learned to be on high alert but its like he knows. I start to watch more closely and somehow I don't see him and yet when I finally notice the number jumps. 495. I can see him in the street from my bedroom window.
I can't sleep. Every creak in this old house sets me off. I just lie with my pathetic six shooter nearby and wait for morning, and dear god I don't know how long I can take it. Am I losing my mind? I see things in the shadows. I need sleep. I need sleep. I need it.
I lock my doors tight. I close the blinds. This is my fortress. I take one last peek through the blinds before I head to my bedroom.
510.