Los Angeles. The City of Angels. The perfect microcosm to start life anew, and after spending a week here, I saw that's exactly what it was. With all my family living on the other side of the country, I was completely on my own with only an apartment and a couple thousand dollars to get me by while I searched for a job. If only it were that simple.
I looked around at the darkened buildings while I walked myself back to my apartment on the outskirts of town. Even sleepless cities have their moments of silence. It was peaceful in its own way.
I rubbed my eyes and yawned. It must be three in the morning, I thought. My watch whined in response. 2:00.
I'm still a mile away from the apartment...
"I wish I had bought a car instead of that plane ticket to L.A," I grumbled to myself, sounding an almost inaudible chuckle from behind.
I spun around at almost lightning speed with my hands balled into fists. Even though my level of fighting experience was as good as your basic kindergarten karate class, that didn't stop me. But, to my luck, no one was there. I gave the empty road a puzzled look before I shook my head and turned back around.
"I must be hearing things," I reassured myself. I continued walking back to my apartment, humming "Carry On My Wayward Son" to myself.
I was just a few blocks away from my apartment complex when I hear the faint scrape of boots on the pavement. I stopped and listened closely. Nothing. I turn around to face my stalker, but once again, the street was completely empty. There's no way I made up that noise...
"I know you're there!" I shouted, fearfully. No answer. A lump formed in my throat, but I continued walking home. The footsteps start again only this time, they were louder...closer. I walked faster. So did he. I started to panic. Calm down, I thought, It's probably just my imagina-- my thought was cut off by a deep, animalistic growl sounding from right behind my ear. I took off in a sprint. I didn't know where I was running to, but I had no intentions of becoming some wild dog's meal. The footsteps got closer and the growl got louder. I tried to outrun whatever was chasing me, but the faster I ran, the closer it got. I ran past several buildings and alleyways, trying to lose it, but it seemed useless. I should've known better than to try and outrun a dog. My legs started to burn, and I stop running, gasping for air. I can't make it back to my apartment. It's too far. I look around frantically, trying to find a place to hide. The growl got even louder. I knew if I didn't get away soon, I'd be dead.
I looked to my left and my right. There was only an alley behind a business complex off the edge of the block. Everything else was open road. I whimpered. This is exactly what you shouldn't do in a horror movie, I thought to myself, but as I felt something snag the hem of my shirt, I sprinted off around the corner and dove into the alley behind the complex. I stopped behind a dumpster, panting. The footsteps stopped at my sudden move, but slowly creep into the alleyway. I put my hand over my mouth and hold my breath, eyes wide. My heart was pounding so loud, I was afraid it would hear me. I felt around on the ground for something to defend myself with, not daring to take my eye off the alleyway. I found a ground stake broken in two. I crouched down, picked it up and held it to my face, pointy side up. It stopped right in front of the dumpster. I could hear it sniffing the air. It let out a low growl before the footsteps started to retreat down to the road.
Thinking it's a trick, I stayed put for a few minutes. I didn't dare move a muscle. After what seemed like hours, I took in a sharp breath and peered my head from around the dumpster, expecting the creature to pop out of nowhere. When I saw the alley was empty, I let out a long sigh of relief. I put the stick in my back pocket just in case he came back.
"This is the last time I'm walking home alone." I said to myself. When I finally gathered enough courage to edge back out of the alley, the street was empty as it was before only now, under one of the lampposts, stood a man. His back was to me, so I couldn't tell who he is, but I didn't care. I was just glad to see another human being and not that dog.
"Oh, finally! Another person." I said in relief, letting him know I was there. He didn't reply. That was weird, I thought briefly, quickly shaking the thought. I slowed down a little, trying to make out who this guy was. He was pretty tall, maybe 6'2 which, against my 5'3 stature, made me feel pretty small. His bleach-blonde hair was slicked back, and he was wearing a long leather coat.
"You okay sir?" I asked hoping for an answer.
"Never better." He replied in a British accent. He still hadn't turned around to face me. I smiled and started pacing behind him.
"It's been so weird. I was being chased by this weird dog thing, and I almost died but I'm so glad I lost it." I ranted, running my fingers through my hair. Blondie just laughed to himself. I could feel my face getting hot.
"Not that I couldn't have beaten him. I just didn't want to hurt the poor thing." He continued to laugh.
"Is that so?" He finally turned around. He looks really handsome. I couldn't help but notice the scar running across his left eyebrow. He smirked. "Don't blame the puppy, love. He probably just wanted something to eat."
His face contorted into a hideous monster. His skin was wrinkled, his eyes were yellow and his teeth were pointed like a snake's. I let out a blood curdling scream and turned around only to run into an older woman in a white gown. She looked at me and shook her head.
"Naughty girl. You shouldn't talk to strangers." She scolded. She also had a British accent.
"Oh god. Help me. Get him away from me. His face. He's not normal." I cried hysterically. The girl gave him an innocent look.
"Nonsense dearie. Spike's just a little hungry." She replied.
I watched in terror as her face changed into the same grotesque figure as Spike.
I whimpered and ran down the street towards my apartment building. Spike ran in front of me, blocking my path. I turned around, but the girl in the white gown was blocking the only other safe exit. There were buildings to my left and the alley to my right. Well, it's either this or death by two monsters...
I sprinted off into the alley way, hoping to find a path behind one of the apartment complexes. Instead, I came face to face with a brick wall. No no no, this can't be happening. Spike and the girl chuckled to themselves. I then remembered the stick in my back pocket.
"Here kitty kitty." she taunted. They both stalked towards me. I couldn't tell if I was more scared or angry at how long they've been taunting me.
"What are you?!" I yelled through a sob. Spike smiled.
"What do you want me to be?" Spike retorted. The girl giggled and inched closer.
"Easy Drusilla. We don't want to frighten the helpless thing." They laughed, circling me like a pack of hungry lions. I whimpered with frustration and fear. Spike sighed and smiled apathetically.
"Tell you what, I'll make it quick. Gift from me to you." He said. My heart sank. I knew they meant business. They were about to kill me.
"I'm hungry Spike. Can we eat her now?" Spike kissed her and grabbed my throat.
"Of course love." I squirmed, trying to get free. My hand felt to my back pocket where the stick was sitting. I slipped it out and tightened my grip around it.
"Don't fret kitty." Drusilla said softly. "It'll be over soon," She grinned. Spike and Drusilla shared another kiss. I seized my chance. I drove the stick deep into Spike's neck. He just stared at the ground and shook his head.
"You know," he said, yanking out the stick, "you can really hurt someone with one of these." Drusilla threw me against the ground knocking the wind out of me. I coughed up some blood.
"Naughty kitty," Drusilla said. I tried to sit up and my ribs shifted around in my body. I cried out in pain. I couldn't move and I could barely breathe. I think they're broken...
"Help." I labored. Spike grabbed my collar and yanked me up off the ground. I yelped. Yup definetly broken. Spike sniffed my blood.
"I don't suppose the painless death offer is still on the table?" I asked, offering a chuckle at my poorly timed joke.
Spike and Drusilla grinned with pleasure as they both bit into my neck. I called for help and tried to fight them off, but the more I fought, the weaker I became.
"Help," I whispered one last time before falling limp. God, please let my family know that I love them and that I hope they can forgive me.
I shut my eyes one last time, unwillingly accepting death. I didn't notice when they stopped and let go of me. It wasn't until I heard the sound of a fight when I conjured the energy to open my eyes. My vision was really blurry, but from what I could see, Spike and Drusilla were both losing a fight with another guy. After they ran away, the man that saved me came over to me and picked me up bridal style.
"Help me," I barely managed to whisper. He looked at me with concern.
"It's okay. You're going to be alright," he replied, "What's your name?"
"(y/n)" I muttered. "Who - who are you?"
"My name is Angel." He replied. My vision started to go black.
"Angel," I muttered as I went unconscious.
Angel.