Elaine strolled down the street, a vague sense of unease nestled inside her. She subconsciously scanned her surroundings but found nothing amiss.
Two guards, stationed at the street corner, maintained a vigilant watch over the passers-by. As Elaine turned around, they nodded politely in her direction.
Pansy noticed Elaine had halted in her tracks and inquired, "Can I help you?"
"Oh no, I was just trying to recall where the market is. I need a few more ingredients for the dinner I am planning tonight," Elaine responded, conjuring up a poorly thought-out lie to hide her inner turmoil.
Pansy, convinced by the explanation, offered to show Elaine to a bigger farmer's market nearby.
For some reason, Elaine felt a twinge of panic inside her.
She couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched by a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows. Yet, whenever she turned her head, all she could see were hawkers and pedestrians hurrying past her.