Chapter 4: Lingering Shadows
Beams of moonlight stream through the leaves of trees as I bolt down the forested path. My skirt flits in the wind as I run, heading toward the direction of the scream as I let my instincts guide me.
My instincts, however, aren’t particularly aware of my surroundings. I stumble over a fallen branch, nearly crashing face first into the dirt. I stagger over to a nearby tree, grabbing onto its trunk for support. Sweat drips down my forehead as I quickly recenter myself, taking a second to regroup.
Focus! F*ck, what am I even doing out here? This is so stupid. Just because I’m sad and emotional doesn’t mean I need to risk my life for…for what? The glimmer of a chance that that scream belonged to her?
- - -
Unbeknownst to her, a shadowy figure watches from just behind the tree. Shaking her head, Lily pushes herself off and continues running down the path. The figure steps into the moonlight, fiery red hair flowing down past her waist. Sharp black, coffin-shaped nails stretch out from pale hands as a looming aura of misery surrounds the stunning yet jaded woman. She watches Lily go, strategically eyeing her every move as if planning out her burial before her death.
After a long moment, the woman looks away, her piercing ruby red eyes slowly dimming into a dull sapphire. She runs a finger along her bottom lip, whispering to herself, “Mm, what do we have here?” A menacing smirk graces her lips.
Listening to Lily’s frantic breath and uneven steps, the woman quietly trails behind her, remaining hidden amongst the trees. If her theory is correct, this human might just lead her exactly where she wants to be. She fades further into the shadows, but ever watchful of this fleeing woman.
- - -
Along the path, I run as though my life depends on it, straight toward the danger I can feel up ahead. You know, like a complete idiot.
A muted, strangled cry rings near, letting me know I’m nearly to the scene of the incident, whatever that incident might be. I ready myself with a slew of potential outcomes, mentally preparing for whatever I might face.
Unfortunately for me, I never could have predicted what I’d see next.
As I round the corner of the path, I desperately try to skid to a halt, my eyes glued to the site before me. A guy in his twenties wearing all black lies limp, a ski mask clutched in his unmoving hand. Fresh bruises cover his arm as blood drips down from a gash in the side of his neck.
Hunched over the body lies a cascade of platinum blonde, the golden locks covering the thin woman hovering over him as she drinks from the body, sucking the blood straight from the man’s wrist. Crimson stains the edges of her mouth, her eyes shut in ecstasy as she feeds.
I stagger back, letting out a small gasp as I stumble over a tree root sticking out from the ground. As my butt slams onto the ground, the woman’s eyes shoot open, a fierce and vicious red glaring over in her direction. My heart skips a beat, unable to look away from those eyes.
Fear, pain, and morbid curiosity overtake me, making me unable to move, but also completely unable to look away. The woman forces the body to the ground, getting to her feet. I struggle to swallow, anxiously watching as she pulls out a small handkerchief to wipe the lingering blood away from her mouth.
In the light of the moon, I can see the full curve of her body, the long stretch of her legs hidden in a pair of dark black jeans. A dot of blood stains the corner of an otherwise perfectly white V-neck shirt that generously pronounces her chest and the silver necklace that lies between her cleavage.
The woman takes a confident step toward me, as I am suddenly reminded of the danger in this situation. I hurriedly push myself up, desperately trying to get back on my feet.
“I am so sorry. I was just…uh, you know? On my typical midnight run, which I just so happen to do after midnight but call a midnight run because it’s a little bit more catchy than a 2 AM run. Haha…”
I wince at my awkwardness, but those ramblings do nothing to deter the woman from approaching, looming tall and threateningly over my small frame. A shiver courses through my body, but whether that is due to fear or arousal I’ll never know.
“Anyways, what I was trying to say here is that I’m not like a cop or anything. In fact, I don’t even believe in laws in the first place! I’m just a cool little rebel who will totally keep any and all secrets you may have. Or just forget it all entirely! Ah! Look at that, I can’t even see a thing. Nothing to worry about here!” I quickly put a hand over my eyes, trying to emphasize my compliance.
Still not hearing a word from the mysterious blonde, I remove my hand, only to jolt back in surprise. The woman’s face rests a mere inch from mine, bright red eyes staring intensely into my chocolate colored orbs. At a loss for words, I merely stare back, completely enraptured by this woman’s presence.
“You shouldn’t be out here,” the woman responds, a hand reaching up and gripping my chin. A tuff of air puffs out of my mouth, completely out of my control, as the blonde turns my head from side to side, examining my neck and face.
“I probably shouldn’t do a lot of things.”
“I’m not joking,” the woman continues, standing up instantaneously and lifting me to my feet just by the grip on my chin. She pushes her arm forward, pinning me roughly to the closest tree without even trying.
I squirm, my pulse racing at the intensity of our eye contact, “I’m not either. I’m just, well. Yes, you’re right. And perhaps I will just take my leave now and let you get back to uhm…well, that guy. Or whichever guy. Not here to slut shame, you know-ah!”
The woman’s grasp tightens, forcing me to remain in this spot, unmoving. She tilts my head to the side, eyeing the fresh expanse of skin along my neck. A speck of moonlight glimmers off the woman’s teeth, causing my gaze to fall on them. My eyes widen in disbelief, fixated on the pearly white fangs in front of me.
I swallow hard. A smirk plays on the woman’s mouth, like a predator getting ready to devour her next meal, and I am most definitely on the top of that menu.