Chapter 1
She watched a man approach her on her balcony. He was beautiful and very tall. His dark hair swung low on his back and framed a very well defined chiseled face. He started to speak to her. He spoke in a way that made Elena instantly think of warm honey and soft whispers. She just wanted to stop time to savor this one moment. But he is a stranger… Why am I not scared?... Or startled?... And for that matter, why am I moving closer to him when he speaks to me?
As her hand made it only inches away from his arm she saw the depth of his eyes turn suddenly harsh and cold. He began clutching his chest in pain while his hair turned white and skin melted away from his beautiful face in strips. He was screaming and begging her for help when he changed. A dark, unhealthy form stood before her and panic welled in her chest as she tried to scream in protest. She did the only thing she could do… she turned and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She knew she would never be able to out run him but she had to try.
Pain was stealing into her lungs as she ran and she had the distinct impression that the monster was toying with her because he enjoyed the chase. When she could run no longer, her legs fell from underneath her. Too petrified to move she stayed face down on the ground waiting for what was to come. Hot moist breath fell on her neck and the stench of burnt flesh filled her nostrils. Fear clogged her thoughts and her throat as she waited for what was to come. Lightning sharp pain laced through her neck making her feel like fire was burning her from the inside out… and then all… went… black.
Elena woke screaming and gasping for air. She looked around frantically for her emergency inhaler. Taking two puffs she held her breath and counted to ten. When she opened her eyes again she became light headed and rested her neck on the back of her headboard. This nightmare has lasted since she was a child; only increasing in frequency in the last two months. I am never going to get a good night's sleep again! She thought sadly.
She just couldn't understand why she kept dreaming about this same man. He didn't strike her as a monster yet he always ended out that way. He had a smile on his face that never quite reached his dark eyes. In a way she almost felt sorry for this man, and for some reason strongly attracted to him. No that's crazy! Why would I want him so much when I know he is just a figment of my imagination? In any case if she didn't stop she wasn't going to be able to work properly at the precinct.
Elena McCall's job was quite unique, I guess you would say. She worked at the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania precinct as a psychic investigator. She was called in for the tough cases where the case would turn cold. Right now she was currently working on a case with a mysterious death at a Pittsburgh night club.
About two months ago a woman turned up dead in a back ally of a popular night club in the strip district. She was found, by two homeless men, completely drained of blood. Her neck was torn to shreds and no DNA was left at the scene; cops were baffled as well as the CSI investigators. Since then three others victims had turned up with the same features. Blood drained, torn necks, no DNA, and absolutely no sign of sexual assault.
Maybe a good cup of tea will help calm her nerves and help her sort out the stress from these cases and her night terrors. She just wished for once that she had someone to talk to. She was way too lonely and way too stressed out. I'm only twenty-one for goodness sakes. I just wish my parents were still alive to talk to. I could use a friend right now. She thought.