CHAPTER THREE
That first time at the alley never completely left my mind. It haunted me as I wandered around Jackson, Mississippi. After that incident, I hid in an unused warehouse until the sun went down. Whatever I am, it was clear to me that I cannot step out into the sunlight. Night was safe for me.
When the sun has set, I crept out of my hiding place. I was still on guard against any unlucky person who could cross my way. I used my senses to the fullest. I don't want another death be placed on my conscience. If I am some sort of monster, I know I still have some feelings in me. Human feelings.
I walked with a purpose this time. First, I need a change of clothing. After the drunk mentioned the word loony bin, I studied myself more clearly while I was hiding in that warehouse. I was wearing dirty hospital robes. Or I think that's what I am wearing. And upon closer inspection, I could barely read out the name printed on the robe. It made me feel so exasperated. I have to find out the name of this place. It might hold a key as to who I am.
It was full dark now. Less people were on the streets. I spotted a house across from the alley where I was hiding. It had some clothes hanging on the clothesline. I looked around to check if there were any people around. I also used my other senses to double check. When all was clear, I crossed the street and was inside the house perimeter in a matter of seconds.
I picked a blouse and a skirt from the line. I also managed to get some under things which were hanging nearby. I quickly shed off my dirty robe and changed. Further lurking found me a pair of slippers. Good thing the skirt reached the floor. I guess the owner was a lot taller than me.
I placed the dirty robe under my arm and exited the yard slowly. When I was at the street, I felt it was safe for me to walk along it and not travel from alley to alley. As long as I won't get too close to another person, I'll be okay.
With the few bills I have with me, thanks to that drunk (may God bless his soul); I may be able to pass off as a normal person. If I could only control my thirst.
Are there others like me? Or am I the only freak of nature? I walked down the deserted street, lost in my own thoughts. I wasn't particularly hungry. The man filled me up nice. I shuddered at that.
How many more lives do I need to take in order to quench my thirst? Or have I already claimed more lives than I could count? If only I could remember. Aside from my name, I know nothing about me and that is frustrating. I want to know what kind of monster I am or if I have always been a monster. Do I have a family somewhere? And if I do, is my being a monster the reason why I am alone now? So many questions filled my mind. But the trouble is, I don't have an answer to any of them.
Out of nowhere, I suddenly stopped. And like somebody was flashing pictures in front of me, I began to see images. It was blurry at first, but then it became clearer and clearer.
I saw a girl with her back to me who was in some sort of danger. She was stepping away from several men who were stalking her and finally were able to corner her in some deserted street. I can see if not feel her fear.
And as fast as it came, the vision was gone. I grabbed a nearby light post and I sagged against it. What was that? Where did that come from? Are those visions? What is happening to me? I swear I think I am hyperventilating now.
If they were indeed visions...was it from my past or is it a view of my future? The girl sort of looks familiar to me.
I continued walking, not knowing where I am headed for. I walked and walked and finally I stopped. I stared at the place where my feet took me. It was the same house where I woke up that fateful night. Curious as to why I ended up here, I crept a little bit closer. I heard the familiar voice of the man who lived in the house. I can also hear the woman's although hers was shaky like she was crying. There were other voices too. Two men and another woman. The men were police officers.
"Where could Clarissa be?" the woman wailed.
"Don't fret, darling, we'll find her." The man comforted her.
"Are you sure Mr. Dawson that the child did not run away?" asked one of the police officers.
That angered the man. "She did not run away! How many times do I have to tell you that?"
That made Clarissa's mother cry more. I felt pity for them. Here they were looking for a missing child while I was looking for a missing family. My family.
It was the young girl who saw me that night. I remember her. Then it came to me that the girl I saw in my vision could have been the missing child. I felt a sudden drive to start looking.
I don't know why but I felt bound to help them find the missing child. But I just shrugged off that errant thought. I made my decision then, I moved away from the house. Once I was out of the house's vicinity, I closed my eyes and prayed that my senses won't fail me.
I could smell some lingering scent of the girl. She was headed west probably two or three hours ago. I headed for that direction and since no one was around, I was able to move a bit faster than normal.
I searched for about half an hour when I came to a very familiar place. It was the street in my vision! I became frantic in my haste to find her. Then I heard their voices. They were telling her what they plan to do with her.
Clarissa's cry, pressed me on. I crept to an empty alley. There I was able to see them; there were four of those men. Two in front of the child and two behind her. I honestly don't know what I am supposed to do but I guess I'll have to go with my instinct. And that is bad.
When one of the men lunged for the frightened girl, I made my move. Moving as fast as I can, I approached the man and broke his neck. Then I went for the other man behind Clarissa. I broke his damn neck too. The two men were surprised and frightened at what they saw. They started to turn and make a run for it but I was already blocking their escape.
"And where do you think you're going?" I sweetly asked them. I never gave them the chance to reply, I attacked. I broke the leg of one and threw the other against a wall. I heard their bones crunch. I smelled the scent of death. The man with the broken legs was crawling away from me. I walked over him and held onto his shoulders and then I bit.
Once the blood touched my lips, the frenzy began. I paid no attention to his scream or to the scream of the little girl watching us. I drank and drank until there was no more. After I was done, I threw the corpse down and faced the girl.
She took a step back and stared at me with frightened eyes. Her eyes seem to awaken me from the frenzy. I snapped out of it.
"Oh Clarissa, I won't hurt you. I'm here to help you." I tried to convince the child.
I was surprised by her answer. "I know. I was looking for you."