LJ Idol, Season 9: Week 2 - "The Missing Stair"
I'm not sure who saw whom first on that lazy Spring afternoon at the park, but when my blue eyes met his warm, dark brown ones for the first time, I knew I was lost. His strong, muscular chest, well-toned legs, and sly smile won my heart, but I was shy and I suppose he was too. I kept glancing towards the maple tree where he sat in its cool shade as I jogged laps around the track, acutely aware of every bead of sweat that greased my brow and body, and how hot and grimy I felt by the time my workout was done. He didn't seem to care.
He watched intently as I cooled down with some simple stretches and a long drink from my water bottle, but neither of us said a word.
Tall, dark, and silent - just my type.
He was there the next day when I went for my jog, and many days after that. We gave each other a wide berth for a few weeks, unsure of what needed to be said or done. I'd been burned too many times before, by rushing into relationships before I was ready. Maybe he had the same issues. I couldn't spot any glints of gold or silver on his digits, just nicely manicured nails.
That was a plus, at any rate.
Three weeks to the day from our first encounter, as I was cooling off and winding down, he got up and slowly walked towards me. I smiled hesitantly, and asked him if he wanted to get something to drink. Indicating that I should lead the way, I exited the park and we meandered down the street as he dogged my steps. There were a few bars a block or two away, but quite frankly that wasn't the sort of drink I had in mind.
Before I realized it, we had reached my townhouse. I started up the stairs, but he backed away a few feet and refused to meet my gaze. "Too soon, huh?"
He raised his intelligent eyes to mine then glanced longingly back towards the park.
"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" I wheedled, trying to keep a positive attitude.
He shook his head and moaned slightly.
"No worries," I said, only vaguely disappointed. "I understand. Maybe next time."
He slowly turned away as I put the key into the lock. I thumped my forehead lightly against the door. What if he wasn't there tomorrow? Before I could change my mind again I shouted out, "Wait! Please?"
He stopped, and looked up at me. The streetlights suddenly came on, glinting off his sleek, black coat.
"Please come in. I'm lonely, and I think you are too. I could use the companionship."
I sensed his need, his desire. He was wavering, softening. The late afternoon sun had dropped below the horizon, and the sky was suffused with a dark, dusky glow.
He set one paw on the first step, followed by the others. I smiled suggestively over my shoulder, and listened to his heavy footfall as I turned my back and swung open the front door.
I shouldn't have been able to feel his hot breath on my neck, nor heard his throaty growl so close to my ear. He pushed me violently over the threshold, and I stumbled and fell to my knees. Scrambling backwards, I tried to reach something - anything - that I could use as a weapon. His muzzle had shortened and widened, showing large, exquisitely sharp fangs. His brown eyes were suffused with demonic red.
Why had I invited him in? I'd gone a step too far.
"I'll have that drink now, Madam," he snarled viciously, as he watched me tremble. "Don't put yourself out, I'll just help myself."
His strong jaws tore into my throat, and I knew no more.
Madam, Life's a piece in bloom,
Death goes dogging everywhere:
She's the tenant of the room,
He's the ruffian on the stair.
--W. E. Henley
He watched intently as I cooled down with some simple stretches and a long drink from my water bottle, but neither of us said a word.
Tall, dark, and silent - just my type.
He was there the next day when I went for my jog, and many days after that. We gave each other a wide berth for a few weeks, unsure of what needed to be said or done. I'd been burned too many times before, by rushing into relationships before I was ready. Maybe he had the same issues. I couldn't spot any glints of gold or silver on his digits, just nicely manicured nails.
That was a plus, at any rate.
Three weeks to the day from our first encounter, as I was cooling off and winding down, he got up and slowly walked towards me. I smiled hesitantly, and asked him if he wanted to get something to drink. Indicating that I should lead the way, I exited the park and we meandered down the street as he dogged my steps. There were a few bars a block or two away, but quite frankly that wasn't the sort of drink I had in mind.
Before I realized it, we had reached my townhouse. I started up the stairs, but he backed away a few feet and refused to meet my gaze. "Too soon, huh?"
He raised his intelligent eyes to mine then glanced longingly back towards the park.
"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" I wheedled, trying to keep a positive attitude.
He shook his head and moaned slightly.
"No worries," I said, only vaguely disappointed. "I understand. Maybe next time."
He slowly turned away as I put the key into the lock. I thumped my forehead lightly against the door. What if he wasn't there tomorrow? Before I could change my mind again I shouted out, "Wait! Please?"
He stopped, and looked up at me. The streetlights suddenly came on, glinting off his sleek, black coat.
"Please come in. I'm lonely, and I think you are too. I could use the companionship."
I sensed his need, his desire. He was wavering, softening. The late afternoon sun had dropped below the horizon, and the sky was suffused with a dark, dusky glow.
He set one paw on the first step, followed by the others. I smiled suggestively over my shoulder, and listened to his heavy footfall as I turned my back and swung open the front door.
I shouldn't have been able to feel his hot breath on my neck, nor heard his throaty growl so close to my ear. He pushed me violently over the threshold, and I stumbled and fell to my knees. Scrambling backwards, I tried to reach something - anything - that I could use as a weapon. His muzzle had shortened and widened, showing large, exquisitely sharp fangs. His brown eyes were suffused with demonic red.
Why had I invited him in? I'd gone a step too far.
"I'll have that drink now, Madam," he snarled viciously, as he watched me tremble. "Don't put yourself out, I'll just help myself."
His strong jaws tore into my throat, and I knew no more.
Madam, Life's a piece in bloom,
Death goes dogging everywhere:
She's the tenant of the room,
He's the ruffian on the stair.
--W. E. Henley