The streets of Chicago aren't exactly where you want to be at midnight. Hell with all the murderers, gangs, rapists and crack-heads probably roaming the dim alleyways it's a really bad idea to be by yourself.
I had gone out shopping because Izzy's Birthday was coming up and I desperately needed to get her a present. Despite promising myself I would do it weeks before, I had, sadly, put it off till last minute. Of course after buying said present I had spotted a few people I knew at a club and joined in the fun. For a few more hours than I had to spare. And now I was hurrying back to my apartment in the middle of the night, freezing my butt off.
The streets were unusually empty tonight. Normally there were at least a few people strolling down the cracked pavement but there wasn't a soul in sight. The thought made me a little uneasy. I mean, at least if I can see the person I'll know if I have to defend myself. In this dead quiet my ears strained for even the slightest noise. If something so much as twitched I would probably flip out at this point.
At least I only had a couple of blocks to go and then I'd be in my nice, warm apartment with a cup of hot cocoa. Even thinking about it made me feel a little better. I smiled and quickened my pace. No point in straying and practically begging for someone to take a shot at me.
As I got closer to home I thought I heard something from one of the alleys that began to my right. I jumped and stifled a shriek. Just keep moving, Tori. Maybe whoever or whatever it is will ignore you. There was a rustling noise in the alley and the shadows almost seemed to take on a life of their own. Ok let's stay away from that alley. My fingers tightened around the handle of my shopping bag and my feet eagerly picked up their pace.
"Viktoria…" A voice whispered.
The voice slid over my skin like oil and I shuddered at the menace in the voice. How the hell did it know my name? Oh god, this was creeping me out. I started to run but only go a few feet before my muscles locked up. I had absolutely no control over my body. I couldn't even bat an eyelash. Despite my frantic efforts no sound would come out of my throat. There was no possible way for me to even get a scream out. Something held my voice in until my body seemed like it might explode from tension.
"Wait. Don't run," it murmured. "Come over here." There was an underlying arrogance in the raspy voice, and something that just commanded you to obey.
Yes let's do that.. Simply listen to the creepy voice trying to lead you into the dark passage. I don't think so. But with a burning pain and a mental gasp-I'm sure I would have gasped for real if I could have actually pried apart my locked jaws-my legs were forced in the direction of the voice.
"I could offer you so much. So much power. Everything. Imagine the world at your feet," it continued.
Ok this was freaking me out even more if that was possible. I wanted a lot of things. Like a new car, a decent boyfriend and my art to get some recognition. But the freaking world? Uh no. Can't say its ever crossed my mind.
My body moved into the musty corridor as if a puppet controlled by strings. I can honestly say it was the worst thing I had ever felt. I liked being in control. So being pulled along like a toy, unable to move, had me screaming on the inside. My mind was panicking as it tried to form a logical explanation. None came to mind. When I saw the dark stains smeared on the walls I started to hyperventilate. My efforts to scream redoubled but I only succeeded in exhausting myself further.
"Come this way. You have so much power. Delicious power to consume," it hissed.
Unholy Hell, now I was scared out of my wits. I was terrified but I couldn't get my feet to stop moving. They continued in the direction of the voice. Then as I got farther in I noticed the objects at my feet. Bones. Gleaming white and unmistakably human. Most of them had what looked like teeth marks in them. They lay strewn around the alley, cracked and broken as if someone had sucked out all the marrow.
I finally managed to shriek, horrified, and the spell over me broke. Out of the shadows lurched an abomination. Hunched over with crusty red skin and long claws protruding from its fingers. It was emaciated; I could count each one of the ribs that protruded grotesquely through stretched and rotting skin. But the worst part was the head. The eyes were bloodshot and demonic and the mouth that was gaping open had long jagged teeth meant for tearing. It smiled at me grotesquely and a sticky string of drool fell from its gleaming teeth to land with a splatter on the ground. A long, black tongue emerged to absently lick the spit from the corner of its maw.
"No, No Don't be frightened. Stay a while and play little morsel," it rasped.
I backed away, in horror. What was this…thing? Stuff like this shouldn't exist outside of horror stories! I lurched for the exit but my feet tangled in my haste and I crashed to the ground painfully. I looked back at the monster and noticed that it was taking its time. My hands were rubbed raw as I scooted backwards frantically until my back bumped painfully into the wall. It slowly dragged itself towards me grinning maniacally. It was enjoying this. Enjoying my helplessness. I turned around and leaped up to run but it lurched in front of me with impossible speed.
The thing grabbed me by the arm and I felt its razor sharp claws digging into my skin, drawing blood. Then it threw me into the wall where I collapsed. My breath was coming fast and I couldn't see any possible way out. How could I escape something like this?
It stood in front of me and leaned down to leer at me. Putrid breath hit me square in the face and I wrinkled my nose. A kind of suicidal recklessness came over me as I stared up at my imminent death. What was the point of cowering if the end result would be the same?
"You know there's this amazing new invention. It's called a breath-mint. Ever heard of one? No, I don't suppose you have. Well take my advice and use one so that next time you decide to eat someone you don't kill them with your nasty ass breath," I growled. The monster reared back, I doubt it had heard its prey say something like that before. And although the thing didn't seem too bright it at least understood when it was being insulted. Rage clouded up its ugly eyes.
"You're going to taste delicious. So much unused power. Say goodnight," it snarled. I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the end. Well the end never came. Instead I heard a sickening thump and a wet squelch that surely meant someone had lost a body part. I had seen horror movies before.
I opened my eyes hesitantly. What if there was something even worse there now? Wasn't that how it usually happened? But, the thing's head was lying on the ground a few feet from me. The stump attached to it body was steaming and I felt the urge to hurl. That tends to happen when you're that close to a bloody corpse.
There was a guy standing there with a silver knife, which was dripping purple blood. A really gorgeous guy. I know that I had just nearly died but come on! What girl wouldn't notice that their rescuer looked like someone out of a romance book. You know the type. Absolutely, smoking hot with the kind of eyes that made you want to melt. His midnight black hair hung over impossible silver eyes. He was probably about 21 like me. He was wearing all black and a leather jacket. Right now he was looking at the corpse in disgust.
"Demons are so annoying. No manners at all," he remarked. "And what are you staring at?"
Realizing my mouth was slightly agape, I shut it and shakily stood up. The guy wiped the knife on the thing and put it away. Well at least he's not going to attack me…I hope.
"Thank you," I offered uncertainly. Who knows why he's here. Hell he could be a complete nut job for all I know. Though after the monster I would take this guy any day.
"Oh I didn't save you from the goodness of my cold, dead heart." He said amused. "But now the world is short one more disgusting demon and I've got dinner right here." He said with a smile.
"What?" I asked and quickly backed up. See? Always trust your first instincts. And never trust a guy that looks like that. I know their type. My ex boyfriend was their type. If it was possible the new guy grew even more amused at my confusion.
"What did you think I saved you for no apparent reason?" No I thought maybe you just didn't want to see a defenseless girl killed.
"Get away from me!" I spat with venom. If he so much as touched me. Well the result wouldn't be pretty. Everyone always underestimated me but I could kick ass if I had to. Hopefully I wouldn't need to. My legs tensed to sprint for the exit. I had been on the track team in high school and I prayed that not all of my skills had deserted me. I would need them to escape. He ignored me.
"Now what exactly are you doing out here little witch?" he inquired. Wait excuse me? Did I hear correctly? Was that supposed to be an insult? Then one look at his face assured me he was serious. Alrighty someone has a few screws lose, was my first thought. But after a pause I realized that if that monster had popped out of a bad fairytale and into my life then witches could exist too.
"I'm not a witch," I told him. "I mean I didn't even know stuff like this existed until I was just attacked by that thing!" My voice was getting louder and I was nearly reaching hysteria. The guy's eyes widened almost imperceptibly.
"So an untrained witch, with no idea of her heritage, all alone out here," he mused. "Well this is convenient. Witch blood is so much sweeter."
I froze. Did he say blood? Please tell me he wasn't one of those psycho killers that got off on blood. Before I could even react I was pinned against the wall. He smiled at me and I watched as his canine teeth grew to fine points. Oh God no. Even worse. He was a vampire? Could my night get any worse?
"Now don't struggle dear," he murmured and bent down. I felt sharp fangs graze my throat. "Relax," he whispered soothingly. Now, I've never taken orders well. Just ask my parents. So I of course jabbed my heel into his foot and while I'm sure it didn't hurt him, he seemed surprised enough to loosen his grip. I broke free and ran.
The minute I turned back to the street though, he had me in his hold again. He was smiling still and his eyes gleamed with laughter. This is all a game to him, I realized. Like a cat with a mouse.
"I like you," he admitted with a smirk. "So I'm not going to kill you. It would be such a waste of power." Well isn't that a relief? I thought sarcastically. You've only scared me half to death. He smiled again as if hearing something that amused him. With fangs still extended it wasn't exactly reassuring. Albeit they weren't as terrifying as the demon's serrated teeth but these delicate tools looked lethal.
He put a hand under my chin and tilted my head up. For a few seconds he examined my face as he traced my jawline with a finger. I knew he was observing my golden eyes. They were so exotic and different from other peoples' that I had gotten used to the stares. Now I could only curse my misfortune as they only brought extra attention from the vampire.
"Such a lovely color," he murmured softly and then tilted my head roughly to the side.I tried to break his hold but he was simply too strong. He bent down to my throat and I felt his cool breath before a sharp, burning sting. The pain faded and I lost any resistance I had up to that point. Pure ecstasy overwhelmed me and I collapsed into his arms. My eyes fluttered shut.
He had an arm around my waist to hold me up and the other hand was tangled in my hair to hold my head at the right angle. I could hear him drinking and I should have felt sick but I was too distracted by the sense of euphoria being induced. His mind pulled at mine trying to draw me deeper into the seductive void. How could a complete stranger be doing this to me? I tried to fight it but it was impossible. I heard myself moan and he finally pulled up his head.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked. As revolting as that seemed...I was. I was disgusted and fascinated by the crimson stain on his lips. He licked it off and just as I was about to break the spell he had over me he bent down again. I could feel myself growing weak. My heartbeat was racing and I felt faint. He drank until the edges of my vision turned black and I couldn't support myself any longer. Reluctantly he pulled away again with a sigh.
"Mmmm so sweet," he taunted. "Well love, I'll be seeing you," he promised. Then he handed me the bag with Izzy's gift. I thought I had left it out on the street. My fingers curled around the handle automatically but jerked away when I felt the brush of his fingers on mine. With a groan I leaned back against the wall behind me. As much as I wanted to figure out that little puzzle and get as far away as possible from this place I didn't feel so well. Hollow and empty. Considering I had just had a vampire forcibly pull the blood from my arteries. it was probably to be expected. With a chuckle he watched me try to get a grasp on my thoughts. Well screw you.
"By the way, you might want to get your family tree checked little witch," he suggested. He leaned forward and gave me a hard kiss that left me breathless and then he disappeared.
I slumped against the wall stunned. What the hell just happened? I raised a hand to my still tingling lips. I sighed.
I could really use that hot cocoa now.
A/N: So I really would appreciate it if you took a minute out of your time to review! I need some help here and I want to know how I'm doing so far.