Oh, and if you like that sort of thing then please, enjoy!
By Carrie Riff
Chapter 1
There's something decidedly sad about the love of your life not even knowing you exist.
That's not entirely true. He does know I exist. We've met.
But, there's something sad in knowing that the one you love thinks you're dead.
Perhaps the saddest part of that, is the fact that I've let him think so for this long.
Now you see why I'm standing here, in the darkness, instead of up there by his side. Even though it's where I long to be.
So many things I long to do. He's so beautiful. And so quiet. Mysterious, in his way.
This delicious enigma wrapped in a perfect scarlet package.
You don't know how many times I've stood, right here, watching him, wondering what it would be like to feel that soft red fur beneath my bare fingers. What it would be like to tangle them in those long flowing spines. What it would be like to feel those cream coloured lips against my own.
Yet... here I stand. In the darkness. Alone. Simply because...
I am afraid.
Afraid of being found out. Afraid of being laughed at. Afraid of not being taken seriously.
Afraid of being rejected.
I watch the way he moves, strides across from one lookout point to another before crossing those long slender legs and sitting. He'll meditate now. He always does, right about this time of day. He's so beautiful. Sunlight streaming against that perfect fur.
I just know it would be like velvet beneath my hands. How I long to just... touch him.
Someday I will.
It's difficult to get close to him. His senses are incredibly sharp as I found out the first day I watched him.
He'd been training, doing what were obviously some form of martial arts exercises. The way he moved was like poetry. Powerful, fluid motions of scarlet arms and legs, hands curved. It was hypnotic. It's been a long time since I've been that entranced by someone. It made me want to get closer.
It was my first mistake. I've made a few of them so far, I'm not afraid to admit that.
I'm not good at this love thing. I barely understand what it is I'm feeling let alone how to go about it. All I know for sure is...
I can't stop watching him.
Sitting there, near one edge of the shrine, legs crossed, hands resting on those strong thighs, eyes closed. He's so beautiful.
Patience is one thing I have lots of. I can sit here and wait for hours and never tire of watching the sun play on scarlet and cream and white.
Sunset is my favourite time to watch. He usually meditates from just after midday until just after sunset. And he always sits in the same place.
I'm grateful for that. It's the perfect spot.
It's almost time now. A glance towards the distant mountain range confirms that, though I don't really need to. My internal clock is infallable.
I can almost count the seconds till it's going to happen. Three... two... one.
The sun hits a break in the mountains and one long shaft of golden light streaks across the distance before it strikes the shrine. And I hold my breath.
Living flame.
Golden light caresses across perfect red fur and turns it the colour of fire. For a moment, just this moment, he looks otherworldly. Almost...
Divine.
And as always, I am spellbound. I want to touch him. Long to run my fingers through that firey fur. He's so beautiful! All I'd have to do is just climb those steps and reach out and I'll be able to find out just how soft he is.
The sound of a branch breaking beneath the heel of my shoe is loud in the still air. For a moment, it sounds almost like gunfire.
Before I can even react he's on his feet, eyes open, hands curled with those wicked claws held at the ready. Those eyes.
Purest amethyst.
And they're looking right at me.
Of course I run. What else can I do? I'm not supposed to be there. His island is a sanctuary, not open to the public, and I am a trespasser.
Fortunately, I'm also fast, and the edge of the island is behind me in no time.
I've made a mistake again, only now he knows I'm there. He couldn't have missed it, he was looking right at me. I don't know what to do now.
I need time to think.
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So.. that's the first chapter so far. Heh.
Lemme know what you think, I guess?