New for the site - The New Hunt
Downtown, West Coast, North America
8:34pm
Agitation. The fleeting warmth as the seemingly never-ending stream of mortals rushed past, moving towards whatever fate awaited them. Even this was no consolation to the disquiet within. The balmy night air did nothing to reduce the chill that covered my skin beneath its customary covering of black fabric.
Only one thing could dull this ache, only one substance would satiate the fire in my veins, soothing me as nothing else could.
A left turn as I spotted my prey, easily closing the distance between us. Too soon, this game could be over, but I wouldn't allow it.
Following closely, the click of her heels grew louder as the streets became more deserted around us, and the sound seemed only to add some strange accompaniment to my rising thirst. With the long graceful curve of her back within reach, I resolved to take this further, satisfying myself with only the soft brush of her hair against my fingers as they slipped stealthily through the swaying ivory strands that shifted as she hurried along.
How quickly resolve can crumble.
In seconds those lustrous strands were caught, my hand wrapped tightly around them, nearly lifting her from the ground as I yanked her back.
The intended scream died on her lips and gave way to a shuddering gasp as I drew her to me, tearing into the soft exposed flesh of her throat with far more force and violence than was typical for me. I felt the hot liquid rush down my throat, inside and out, paying little mind to the wetness that would certainly spread its telltale stain across the front of my clothing and the surface of my skin.
The audible crunch startled me and I realized too late my mistake. Such clumsiness, her neck broken before the feast had even reached its finish. She slipped from my arms, falling heavily to the ground, and only now did I see her face. Blue eyes stared up at me blankly, her lips softly parted, as if she might speak, though I knew no words would come.
The blood teemed within me - awakening my senses, soothing the beast, if only for a moment.
With the clarity that only the blood can bring, the familiarity struck me. The blue eyes, the long blonde hair, the delicate stature and graceful movement that had lured me to this place.
How could I not have realized? How could I . . .
For the first time since the evening's hunt had begun, I took notice of my surroundings. Familiar buildings on familiar streets. I knew this place.
Quickly concealing the all too obvious evidence in the forgotten gloom of an abandoned warehouse, I let memory guide me to my next stop, the destination that the beast had in mind all along, only now choosing to let my higher faculties in on the plan.
No thought was necessary now, and I found myself nearing my quarry, the neighborhood gradually changing, all the houses becoming more alike, until I knew I had reached the right place. In either direction it appeared to be one long row of houses, each one attached to the next. The one on the far end, my goal.
Moving past the carefully landscaped yard, I crossed soundlessly over the small path that led to the door. Already, I could feel the flame again, the bloodlust mounting as if it had become capable of recognition and knew what was waiting within the walls before me.
What would I look like to her? What would I seem in this gruesome and murderous state? And could I reign in the demon inside, or would I surrender to it and let her be the sacrifice that it demanded? My resolve had already betrayed me once and now my own dark desires threatened to see that it happened again.
I turned the knob, pushing the door back as I entered. Upstairs. The bottom floor was dark, a faint light coming from the floor above. I closed the door, securing the lock before making my way to the top of the stairs. Down the hall I could see past the open door, the gossamer draperies billowing in the breeze that came through the open sliding glass door.
There she was, her back to me, leaning against the rail of the balcony, unaware of what lurked just behind her. I watched for a while, the movement of her hair on the wind, the soft perfume that taunted me with each gentle current. She remained unaware, even as I drew closer, my presence undetected until my hand came around and closed over her mouth, my body pressing against her back as I pinned her against the balcony wall.
"Don't be afraid Bella," I whispered against her ear, my lips moving down, closing over the heated skin of her neck. Your dreams are about to become reality.