Author's Note: I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY FOR THE VERY VERY LATE UPDATE BUT I HAD EXAMS A LOT OF STRESS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO TAKE CARE OF BUT THAT ASIDE THANK GOD I'M STILL ALIVE TO AT LEAST WRITE THE STORY. *laughs nervously * anyways ME aside unto the story!!!

Title: Crimson Nightfall
Author: Alexis Shadows
Chapter One: Blood's Dawn

The swirling green mass of the outside realm barely reflected any light despite its bright appearance, and the dark interior of his room held an almost suffocating feeling. He sat lazily his head propped up on one hand that rested on the arm of the leather chair, his leg swung over the other side his free hand resting near it. His skin seemed to gleam even in the darkness, that was its natural property, the contours of his wide, well muscled chest becoming even more defined by it.

His finger tapped a steady pace, keeping in time with every second that the clock measured out. His luminous green eyes were half lidded and with every other tap of his finger he blew a strand of silver white hair away from his face.

Boredom was rotting his mind, down to his last existing thoughts…the things he didn't want to remember. Things tat he had locked away so deep within himself that he had near forgotten them altogether. He couldn't bother to dig those things up again. He sighed tiredly, in exasperation. He was tired of just sitting there, he need something to entertain himself with…something or something. His eyes flicked towards the window, met with dark purple instead of bright green.

A smirk graced his features as he rose to his feet, soundless steps bringing him to the window. Pushing it open he turned back to grab a black silk button down shirt. Yanking in on he left the buttons undone, placing one boot clad foot on the window sill. Hesitation was foreign to him as he stepped off, free falling before stopping himself short to turn sharply upwards.

It was about time he visited his subjects. They might not want to see him…come to think of it they never did. His smirk widened… 'but that just made his game all the more fun'. The citizens of Amity Park were yet to adjust to and accept his presence. Hell, who could accept more so adjust to the presence of a vampire? They would never accept him…of course not…he didn't expect them to, but let his body turn in its grave if he cared.

As far as his concern for them went it could be bluntly said that he had none. And he was damn near proud of the fact. As far as he knew there was nothing special in or about Amity Park and if there was…well he was yet to find it.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o

God Almighty! That damned man was freakin' frustrating. One simple technicality in one work department and she didn't even get to hear the end of it. That jackass of a president underestimated everyone in the company…he was arrogant and self-centered and rarely took good suggestions from people.

Dammit she hated her job.

She slammed the car door shut and listened to it echo in the empty parking lot. She sighed heavily and rested her head against the steering wheel, letting out a frustrated sigh. She was too tired to even continue thinking about what had upset her in the first place…she just didn't have the emotional energy. All she wanted to do was just to go home and sleep that was all she seemed to have the will to do at the moment. Even her feet seemed to protest as she started the engine.

Turning out of the parking lot was the least of her problems, making home in one piece or without wrecking her car was a completely different topic altogether.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o

His footsteps were soundless as they met the cold concrete of the building's rooftop. He had been hovering for some time but had gotten bored of it. The woman his eyes were fixated on seemed to be tired and somehow that was beyond convenient. He was not in the mood to put up with a struggle, it was beginning to seem boring when they struggled…it was rather pointless. A smirk touched the corner of his lips as she started the car and left. Almost immediately the smirk dropped and a grim expression took hold of his face.

His senses teetered on the edge at the very unset of nothingness. The distant pins and needles feeling ran through him and a tiny wisp of blue smoke escaped his lips. His brows came together in an expression of aggressive irritation. There was something else out there, others that himself. It's power level was significantly lower than his own but that was not what triggered his irritated mood.

It was also after this woman… but she was his prey and he'd he damned if he let some backwoods creature take what he had already deemed as his own.

His eyes flared red and he clenched his fist in anger…the one emotion he was unable to control even after his many years of existence. Grinding his teeth together he felt his canines stretch and press against his gums. Quickly he loosened his jaw, not wanting to draw any of his own blood. Waiting one more moment he looked down at the multiple floors below him. Sighing he tossed his head back and sniffed the air. It smelled faintly of an intoxicatingly sweet scent, one that he had never encountered before.

His eyes widened as an almost uncontrollable urge gripped him. He clung to the stone wing of an angle's statue that was beside him. His breathing grew heavy as he tried to calm himself. Her blood…the scent of her blood had ignited a deep primal urge within him that he could not understand. Usually it was the taste of blood that would make him react like this and even then it was never this strong. His fangs ached sharply and his eyes bled to pools of shimmering red. His snarl was savage as the stone crumbled beneath the force of his grip.

The blood in his ears pounded hard and he was sure that if he had had a heartbeat it would be going a mile a minute. A thick and ragged sigh escaped his lips and his throat constricted and burned with ever breath that passed through it. What he hell was this feeling?

Something ragged within him, spiralling out of control and in that moment he forgot to care. The burning want to satisfy his need dominated him and turning sharply he threw his body over the edge of the building.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o

Turning the car into the long driveway to her home she sighed in relief. Finally she was home. Turning to the right she directed the sleek black car to the garage and parked it there. Shutting off the powerful engine her ears rang in the silence. Putting her hands to the temples she wondered how she could still be an environmentalist and still have a weakness for big, dark, fast cars. Grabbing her hand bag and the few over time work files that needed to be reviewed she opened the door and got out.

Walking away she care freely pushed the button on the car's remote control that turned on the alarm and locked all the doors. Walking through the door that led into the large Victorian mansion she let out another sigh. Living alone in this place had its ups and downs. She was free to do what she wanted…when she wanted. No rules, no limitations that she did not induce…she was free to live her life. But living by herself was beginning to get very…lonely. Sure she had friends, a couple of guys interested here and there…no one she really liked by the way.

Climbing the sweeping stairway she flipped the main switch to the first floor, allowing light after light to flood the rooms. But she was already submerged in the darkness of the second floor. Her footsteps were almost inaudible on the highly polished floor and she paid no attention to the darkness. It was comforting…something she was used to…well had gotten used to.

Pushing the door of her room open she dropped her stuff on her work table. Plopping down on her bed she undid her high heels and rubbed her feet with a deep groan. Falling back she released a deep sigh and began to unbutton her shirt.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o

A smirk curled his lips as he watched her peel off the red shirt that she had on, tossing it across the room. Her skin was pale, smooth and creamy and seemed to glow in the light, which suited her well in some strange way. He gave a short laugh watching her from the shadows of the dark as she kicked off her pants as well. How would this woman react if she knew The Phantom was watching?

Suddenly a frown creased his features as he watched her shake out the long tresses of black hair. Heat churned deep in the pit of his stomach. It was a physical urge that he had somehow grown accustomed to. And he fought back the groan of physical need that bubbled close to the surface. He wanted this woman but he was not so low as to sleep with her before taking what he really wanted.

He had no doubts about his ability to seduce women but then, when it came down to his prey; in a situation like this, he might as well just call it rape. He was dead sure she'd be kicking and screaming, either to god, for help or crying for her mother. One woman had even collapsed into a weeping mass of hysteria, rocking back and forth, repeating the words, "There's no place like my space."

He almost laughed every time he remembered it. At current he was an incurable sadist, he enjoyed the smell of fear…especially humans. Just a hint of fear from them was sometimes addictive, almost drugging to his senses. And he would allow himself to push the tiniest hint of fear to full blown terror. They were pitiful little creatures, far below what he had become…what he was. He had been human once but he didn't even like to remember it.. he didn't bother to unearth his past emotions…why should he when it was much easier to pretend he had none. Life had taught him some things but death had taught him everything.

He watched her pull on a huge black t-shirt and nothing else, save for her under garments, and move out of the room. He tipped his head back and breathed in, re-intoxicating himself with the unique scent of her blood. This would be fun, this would be so much fun…he knew because he could smell determination in her blood and he would make it a personal enjoyment to see this one lose her cool at his lightest touch.

He sighed. How boring the aftermath would be though…if she was no different from the others before her.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o

throwing herself down in the couch in front o the large TV she flipped through the channels lazily. The air in the dark room was cold, forming goose bumps on her arms and legs…but she liked it that way…it reminded her of rain. The TV was on mute and the light from it lit the room almost eerily. Hell, she wasn't even watching the damn show. Staring out the window she sat up and blinked. A quick flash of black that was darker than the night had just danced quickly in and out of her sight. It was too big to be an animal and far too big to be human.

A cold chill ran down her spine and she swore softly under her breath. At the age of 24 she shouldn't be afraid of anything the dark had to offer. She had grown in it and had come to find comfort in it. Sitting back she turned her attention from the window and, for the first time, to the television. She didn't pay any attention either as a smaller more human like shadow flicked upwards across the window.

She didn't recognize the feel of the room growing colder until an uncontrollable shiver passed through her. Sitting up she nearly jumped when cold breath met her ear and equally cold fingers knotted in her hair.

"Well, well…aren't you the fascinating one."

-----

He expected her to scream, expected her to start crying or maybe even begging for her life. What he didn't expect her to do was crash her skull against his. For the first time he had actually found a woman crazy enough. And he was not immune to the pain that exploded through his head. He swore violently, every word clearly audible. His growl was thick and dangerous as he watched her sprint from the room.

Damn, when the hell had he ended up on the floor. This woman was fast…and in his opinion very very stupid. She had no idea the trouble she had just gotten herself into. Springing to his feet he walked after her. Moving fast enough for it to be called running; if defined by a human's speed, he was able to keep in time with her long sprints.

He smirked as she slammed a door shut, trying to shut him out. This girl really had no idea who she was dealing with. Phasing through the mahogany door he was amused to see her lock a full cartridge into a rather impressive gun. She swirled on him, her eyes dark and blazing with fury and she had the black gun pointed at him like a cross against the devil…as if it could actually protect her.

He smiled sarcastically when her eyes rested on him, the fire melting away from them. He hid his eyes under long thick lashes as he approached her. She had really thought she was handling a human being. His smirk turned sadistic when he slammed his hand against the wall beside her head, his fist crunching the concrete wall into a deep dent. Lowering his lips to her ear he whispered thickly, "Who the hell did you think you were messing with?"

The gun pressed coldly against his bare abdomen and he delighted in the fact that it shook slightly in her hands.

"Did you really think I was some average..burglar…maybe?" he felt the gun steady yet still nothing happened. He slid his fingers up into her hair, pulling her head to one side, exposing her pale, smooth neck. Putting his cold red lips to her throat he felt her shiver but nothing else. He frowned deeply, he wanted her to break, he wanted her to collapse against him and beg him not to sink his fangs into her. But he wanted something else too…her blood. With his face pressed against her neck, the scent of her was driving him crazy but he would not lose control…not yet.

Opening his mouth he let his tongue glide out over her skin. He felt a shudder pass through her. He was giving her one more chance, one more chance to breakdown before he lost control. But she didn't, she refused to, instead she brought her knee up in one swift, powerful move. His eyes widened in pain and he slumped against the wall when she slipped away from him.

He recovered quickly and sprang after her. Intangibility was his weapon as she pulled the trigger on her own, the bullets sliding coldly through him. Disarming her swiftly he grabbed her by her knees and twisted her to her knees. Dragging her head back he stared down into her face.

Deep purple eyes met his, flames of rage jumping and dancing in them. He hid his amusement at the unusual color of her eyes to snarl menacingly down at her. He would have beaten her senseless, pushed her to the edge of a crazed frenzy, he would have…could have been able to taste her. The most intoxicating essence of her. He could have, would have, should have…had they not been interrupted.

The force that pulled her away fro him would not have done so had he really been holding on to her. A frustrated scream emitted from her throat, there was not one trace of fear in it. He growled, what was with this woman. Even when an unnatural force held her suspended off the floor she refused to cave to fear. He swore darkly as her form disappeared through the window, kicking for all he assumed her to be.

Nobody took what was his.

She twisted and turned in the tight grip that held her, trying to push against it but to no avail. He grabbed her hand, yanking her towards him in one sudden movement. Dropping altitude he dumped her unfeelingly to the ground.

"Stay here." He instructed through clenched teeth. And then for the first time he heard her voice, "Who the hell do you think you are…better yet WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?!?"

He glared at her from over his shoulder, "Saving you…you worthless piece of trash."

She lashed out at him, throwing the nearest thing that seemed to be even remotely dangerous, which happened to be a rather heavy rock. He wondered how she managed to pick it up let alone throw it with that, in his opinion, scrawny frame of hers.

"You jacked up bastard!" she yelled as he dodged it and pretended not to hear her fury induced rant. Why was he trying to save this girl again? Oh yeah…right. So that he could be the one to actually break her, make her bend to his will…he smirked to himself, that was going to be fun. He turned to the now visible problem at hand and immediately deadpanned. Why didn't fate like him?

Four big powerful arms attached to an evenly muscled chest that ended in a snake like tail. It had the face of a gorilla with hollow green eyes that seemed to be looking beyond or through you. Wasn't this damn thing supposed to be guarding he skeleton key or…something. It should be anything but bothering him…why didn't people learn.

He glared at the ghost before him, "Shouldn't you be somewhere else right now?"

The gargantuan monster turned his head to the woman and Phantom felt her freeze…finally! Some results…he had been beginning to think she wasn't human.

"Girl…is…mine." the thing got out with some difficulty. He risked looking behind him at the female that was red with anger…so much for results. Wait one minute…he turned back to the beast with ferocity…did this thing just call her its own.

"No way in hell." He didn't recognize the overly harsh grate of his voice. But he did recognize the familiar undercurrents of satisfaction and superiority when he slammed his foot across its face. Its shrieked howl of pain was almost deafening as it crashed to the ground a good distance away, raking up the earth as it skidded to a stop. A moment was all it took before it began to push itself up again, the stones and earth crunching below its grip. Its eyes glowed brightly, pulsating with the energy that gravitated behind them.

Phantom struck it hard with a blast of green energy before it dealt an intended blow. He was in no mood for this. Landing soundlessly beside the fallen creature he placed his foot on its chest and gave it a hard shove.

It got halfway through a groan but stopped responding when he gave it another hard shove. It seemed as if he was trying to rouse it when in all actuality he was just checking to make sure it was still alive..by undead terms. He just wanted to finish this thing off and get back to what he had been doing before it showed up. A smirk tugged at his lips at the mere thought of it. But he needed something that would really ground that woman, really and truly turn her world upside down.

His thoughts were still preoccupied with his little game even as the glowing mass of green energy swirled in his palm. Killing something was now like a second nature to him, he could do it while thinking of something light years away. He swore colourfully as the creature dematerialized before his vision. The damn thing hadn't been real, it had been nothing but an illusion.

Anger welled up inside him but he pushed it aside as he turned to the woman…the perfect distraction…she was the perfect vent. He had though of just driving her crazy before killing her but now he knew that just that wouldn't be enough to cure him of his sadistic boredom. His eyes never left hers and he finally detected fear from her. Hi smirk was devious and almost evil…he was definitely keeping this one alive…she was not so much of a disappointment after all.

Fisting her hair in his hand he pulled her head back in one harsh motion, he knelt over her on the ground, her body pinned beneath his. His whisper was thick and cold as he spoke right beside her ear, "From here on out…consider yourself my property…and you will be treated as such." He smiled then, "Got that…Samantha."

OH MY GOD I'M DONE! AFTER HOURS AND HOURS OF BACK BREAKING TYPING I HAVE COMPLETED CHAPTER ONE….now on to chapter 2 and then 3…and then 4….OMG I'm going to die but then you lovely people out there are all worth it yes I shall continue. ………. Right after I get a masseuse for my back!

Alexis Shadows

*including this a total of 3,653 words*