Picture Perfect's Nightmare Ch.1

You wouldn't call her life picture perfect. She lived her life a free girl, traveling when she got the time and writing her own songs. She lived in an inn when she wasn't traveling and paid nothing for the rent; instead she worked at the tavern below when the owner wasn't there and during the day. She usually didn't take care of the place at night but cleaned up after the occasional fight. Work was hard and tiresome but it was better than what some other people's lives were like. "Heh …yah they're much better off than me" she usually thought …

"Alexa can you work tonight?" the bar owner asked her as he grabbed his jacket, heading for the door.

"Yah, sure, whatever… it's not like I have anything better to do," she said as she combed her fingers through her short blond hair.

She put on an apron and began to wash off the counter. She had been working there ever since she was 17, and it has been two years now so she was 19. She is 5 feet 5 inches and has nice slender legs. Her blue eyes were soft but hurt from years of past grievances. Her skin was very fair and, soft and smooth. She also had wavy shoulder length blond hair. When people looked at her you would think she was a porcelain doll. Today she wore a white t-shirt with a crayon - drawn red heart with light smears of pink in different areas and a cute black skirt to match it. On her left wrist was a pretty pearl bracelet. She was kind to people she knew and caring to those in need, if it weren't for this stupid bar owner she'd be on the streets herself.

Many people wonder why she was on the streets in the first place, some thought she had such a nice family a while ago, but she never spoke about it. Her past was not something she usually talks much about. Before… it, her family and she went along pretty well. They played and did things together, while her brother both protected and teased her like any other normal brother would. They were the best family she could have ever even dreamed for and more … until one horrid day… She was playing with her new Barbie when she was about 7 years old and suddenly heard her mother shriek down stairs. She got scared and crept under her bed as she listened hearing footsteps come upstairs … she then heard another moan and saw her brother come into her room. He then said to her in a quiet but hoarse voice "Come on sis, we have to get out of here, now". He grabbed her from under the bed and quickly brought her downstairs. He then said to her quickly and quietly "You have to be as quiet as possible and don't look at all!" Her brother put one of his hands over young Alexa's eyes and they slowly crept across the room towards the front door. When they were about a few feet away from the door she couldn't feel her brother's hand anymore and wondered where he was so she opened her eyes. She felt like screaming but she couldn't … you couldn't imagine what she saw. She saw her mother and father killed in the most brutal way and something grabbing her brother as he flailed his arms about, scratching and biting. She felt like screaming for help but the words didn't pass through her pale lips. She had an adrenaline and ran out of the house and down towards town as fast as she could with few cuts and bruises on her body.

She was always the odd one in her family, now she was the only family she had. The only person she considered family was her boyfriend she had when she was 15. His name was Hunter and he was a very kind man. He had sun kissed, blond hair and light blue, soft, eyes. He was only three years older than her and the sweetest person she'd ever met in her life. He had found her living in the alley's one day and helped her. He gave her a home, food, comfort and someone to love and care for. By the time she was 17 he had proposed to her saying "We will get married the day you turn 18" and she kissed him happily. He had once written a poem for her as a small engagement present:

Dancing the night away is your life,

The art of dancing is your strife.

A beautiful woman you can't compare,

To anyone for she's truly fair.

She is the daughter of fire,

Her voice is like an angels' choir.

Her name a wonder to behold,

Alexa they call her strong and bold.

She is our fallen angel.

From your beloved

One day Hunter received a phone call saying that he was supposed to go to a business trip in Washington State. He later went to tell Alexa about it.

"Sorry darling but I'll have to delay that special surprise for you, is that alright?" He said trying to put it as nicely as possible.

"I suppose I can wait a week, it won't be too long, right?"

"Not long at all, I'll be home as soon as I can, and then I can show you that special something I've had for you" Alexa giggled childishly and couldn't wait to find out what her present was. He wrapped his arms around her waist as she held the back of his head with her hand. He then kissed her softly on the lips and then left on his trip. He was reported lost a week and a half later and has yet to be found, even today.

4 years ago (she's 15)

Alexa walked down the street, it was late and she had stopped to look at the shops on Ebony Boulevard. She wondered what she would do the next day. She continued down the street and with a few more turns she would be back at the alleys that she usually slept in. She then heard a rustle in the bush near her and she walked a bit faster. Then she could swear something was following her so she turned around… a vampire had gotten her. It slowly moved toward her neck, quickly putting his hand over her mouth, stifling one of her screams. He looked around quickly to make sure that no one was around and then knelt closer toward her. He then put his lips to her neck. Then he did something that confused the girl … he withdrew still keeping his hand over her mouth. She couldn't help but notice how beautiful he was … pale, but beautiful. He then said to her in a low and sexy voice "Trust me; I have saved your life doing this. Someday, girl, when you're a grown woman we shall meet again … take this so you will remember…" he said to her softly, slipping a pearl bracelet on her wrist, he then disappeared. She quickly ran back to the alleys and slumped against one of the brick walls. Alexa then put her hand to her neck; and saw there was a strange tattoo on her neck that hadn't been there before. It looked like a rose, its color, that of crimson blood. She then curled up and fell asleep.

Modern time

"Girl, hello?! Are you deaf? I asked you for a beer" a man said, disturbing her odd reminisces. He was a burly man and looked about in his mid 50's with a scratchy gray beard.

"Oh sorry sir, coming right up" Alexa said and served him his beer. She then noticed a pale figure in the back of the tavern; he looked up under his dark lashes and gave her a small impish grin. She then looked away quickly, a flush rising to her face. Alexa then took another man's order, when she looked over again, he wasn't there anymore…

She once told herself she never wanted to love again … but her life may take the road less traveled.