Her blood was the sweetest he'd ever smelled. It sang to him like a siren. He wanted it, needed it.
He watched her move along the crowded sidewalk. The flaming sun was just setting but the heat in Jackson was still intense. Enough to make your blood boil.
She was alone. "Strange", he thought, so close to twilight. He carefully wove his way through the passersby, pulled forward like a magnet.
She stopped to cross the street, looking back briefly. Underneath her hat, her skin was exquisitely smooth and ivory. Her eyes were a deep, dark brown.
He followed after her, dodging a horse and buggy.
She continued on, walking more briskly. The shadows were lengthening. She turned down a side street. They were in a less crowded part of town now. A light breeze ruffled through the air, blowing her sublime scent back to him. He picked up the pace a little, still careful to keep a distance.
He watched as she looked up at the sky. Storm clouds were starting to gather. The breeze turned into a light wind.
Her pace increased until a gust of wind blew her hat away. It flew back toward him and he caught it effortlessly. He smiled to himself.
She looked back, startled. Her hair, free in the wind, blew across her face. Her dark eyes had an unusual depth to them. Her heart-shaped lips had a natural reddish hue. She was intoxicating.
"Ma'am," He said, removing his own hat. "I believe this is yours." He stepped toward her.
He felt her heartbeat quicken. A slight flush stained her porcelain face. He felt the edges of fear creep over her.
The first drops of rain fell. One landed on her cheek and glistened there like a teardrop.
He stopped. It was like he'd hit a brick wall. Some unknown force prevented him from going forward. He stared at her.
She turned then, walking away, and melted into the shadows.
He never saw her again.