3Chapter One
The wind whistled around her softly, brushed her hair gingerly, stroked her clothes in gentle waves, and when it found her bare arms, it kissed them with a breath of ice and then fluttered away roguishly. She shivered, and goosebumps crept up her arm like hundreds of tiny pins; they pricked at the ends of her flesh and inflamed her senses, inducing a shiver through her. Tight jeans hugged her legs, and a loose, dark t-shirt failed to keep the incorrigible gusts of cold air from whipping at her.
Vera Hilvano walked quickly, digging her icy hands into the small crevices of her pockets. Looming buildings stared down at her as she passed. Her violet eyes darted around, skittish; the night unnerved her. The street lamps were a dismissed comfort, because they failed to highlight the distant spots where anyone– or anything– could hide; the lights played tricks on her, creating shadows that danced around the edges of her vision, teasing.
"I wish I was home already," she whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.
She also wished she would have brought a jacket with her, or even a longer t-shirt. Then again, she hadn't expected to be out with the moon watching over her.
Vera had escaped the lonely confines of her apartment only three hours ago, with the hopes of finding her older brother. Three days prior, Jevane had left their home so abruptly that she forgot to ask where he was going, and she hadn't seen him since. Now, she was wandering around, almost aimlessly, as if chance would bring the two of them together.
Damn. She really hadn't meant to stay out so late. Why hadn't she worn her watch, or paid attention to the sky? Jevane always yelled at her for staying out late, but this time, he wouldn't be there when she got back- if she got back.
She jerked to a stop, alarmed. Something doesn't feel right, she thought, instinct kicking in. She viewed her surroundings with narrowed eyes. It's too quiet. She bolted. Upon taking off, thunderous footfalls beat on the concrete behind her. Almost choking from the surprise, she didn't dare to turn around, but instead, turned her running into an all-out sprint.
If she got out of this alive, she didn't want to tell him about this. Couldn't tell him. He'd only get mad at her.
Five more blocks, and her nameless pursuer was still as relentless as the pulse of her heartbeat; this surprised and even embarrassed her- she had been a high school track star only last year; yet, she had also graduated and done nothing strenuous since. Inevitably, she stopped, and placed her hands onto her knees from exhaustion. The lights on the street winked out. She clenched her eyes shut and heaved breathlessly, waiting for someone to tackle her from behind.
This is the end, she thought to herself. I'm going to die. Oh, Jevane...
Instead, long fingers coiled around her forearm and yanked her into an alley. The assailant's opposite hand covered her mouth, and together they leaned against the cracked, dilapidated brick wall. The street lamps flickered back on.
With an audible gulp, she attempted to break free of the man's iron grip. He tightened his hold on her and hissed; it was a haunting, almost inhuman sound; one that trailed chills down her back and ceased her efforts cold. Unavailing, she could only suffer and smell the strong, but pleasing, scent of dove shampoo and strangely, she recognized, lavender soap. Vera blinked in surprise. She had expected muggers and potential rapers to be smelly old man with rotted teeth and decrepit clothes.
"You didn't think you could get away that easily, did you?" his deep voice chuckled darkly into her ear.
His breath even smelled of peppermint. What were the odds of finding a creep that took good care of himself? Despite this realization, she trembled at his words, and the only response she managed was muffled and lost in his constraining palm.
He adjusted the grip on her lips, and Vera finally came to her defensive senses. She sunk her teeth into his hand and slammed the heel of her foot onto his toes. He cried out and instantly let go; though, he was still wary enough to block her exit. She pivoted and set off blindly into the alley, instead. Her freedom stopped short when the dead end was visible; a dim bulb greeted her, flickering. The man, it seemed, had predicted this outcome, so his walk was a slow, haughty amble. She narrowed her eyes, seeing no escape on either side of him.
The man was clad entirely in black, and the shadow of his aphotic presence made him appear only a silhouette of the night. The lone light tone on him stemmed from his striking brown hair. His eyes were a deep charcoal, with a shade of scarlet woven into the detail like a loose ribbon. The air around her froze when she realized that there were no whites in his eyes; they contained only a dark, bottomless abyss. Was he even human? She nearly laughed at her ludicrous thought. Not human? What else could he be?
He looked no older than a man in his late twenties. With six extra inches to her own five foot six frame, he towered over her. At the moment, his lips were curved upwards; his eyes were lazy like a cat who'd already set its paw upon a mouse, and his walk had transfigured into a haunting glide. No rags or trash covered him, but a classy suit and polished shoes drew her eyes. She watched as these shoes lifted and dropped another three times. Far enough to maintain her own personal space, but still close enough to bother her. The lack of an escape route widened his contemptuous smirk, and she gritted her teeth.
Vera found that she could not draw in a single breath, like someone had hit her in the gut or simply snatched the lungs from inside of her. When he cut off all of the space between them, tension sizzled and contrived a fire between them. Their eyes found each other again and locked. His entire, intimidating figure not only dominated her mental state, but it eclipsed her physical self as well.
No, she thought desperately. Mental and physical pain rained down on Vera, forcing her mind to become blank. She had never felt such a sensation.
Her heartbeat pounded like a jackhammer inside of her chest. He pressed his ear up to this sound, listening to it as if it were as interesting and normal as the radio. He switched his listening points onto her exposed wrist and neck. He ended up grazing his canines against the latter. This caused her to inhale, but the sharpness of her breath was not quick enough to grasp back her sanity.
This isn't right, a little voice in the corner of her mind whispered.
A chuckle penetrated the air and caused her gut to grow cold. This will only be painful if you let it be, ingénue. She was sure his lips had definitely not moved, but she wasn't sure how that was even possible. She backed up, finding solid brick behind her.
Something different stirred inside of her, like how the little voice that had spoken up, and it surged like a wild beast, finding its vengeance through her fist. With everything she could muster, she slammed her hand into his nose. Crying from the surprise, he let go and staggered a few steps away. Instead of gaping at her strength and willpower to overcome his mind, she was back on her toes, running as fast as she'd competed to win a state title, out of the alley, and leaving him in a flat footed stupor.
The buildings of the city became a frame of gray blurs on her peripherals. Familiar stores were now daunting buildings on each side of her, smiling at her with mocking windows that served as an audience of eyes. Only one thought rolled through her mind. She had to get home. Nothing else mattered, but that white door with her apartment number 607 embedded on the front. But she was so fatigued that her legs collapsed underneath of her, and her skinned knees stained the sidewalk with red. Tears erupted softly down her cheeks. She coughed and tried to control her labored breaths.
Peering up, a car's beam hit a familiar street sign, giving her a kind reminder that her apartment was only a mere three blocks away. She wiped the tears with the back of her fist, letting the slightest comfort ease into her system. He was gone, and she had nothing else to worry about. She would take a long, hot bath, relax, and sleep in tonight, and then continue her search tomorrow. Right. Nothing at all to worry about.
She trekked back, smiling in relief when she reached the door to the building. Then, she faltered completely. Her hand hovered above the handle, realization coming upon her. What if the man hadn't been the run-of-the-mill creep? It was possible. He could have been at her apartment, even. Top teeth biting into her bottom, she turned the handle. Running down the small flight of stairs, she came upon that fear. The door barely hung upon its metal hinges.
"Jevane!" she cried, taking in the state of her home. "I need you. Jevane, where are you?"
Authors note: Constructive criticism and feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you. :)