Captivated (An Affliction Novel)

by Raven

  Faster he went. I finally lost my step and fell forward, dragged like a kite by that fast beast. My bare arms were skidding against the grass and twigs.

  I had to let go. When I did, my body stopped completely. I looked up and scanned the area ahead of me. Unsurprisingly, the dog was totally out of sight. I laid there for a second and tried to catch my breath before rolling over onto my back to give my chest some room to expand. Examining the scratches on my arms, I found that it wasn’t as bad as it felt. There were a few bloody scrapes that ran down from my wrist to my elbows, but since I was dragged on grassy grounds instead of dirt and rock, I could have had much worse. Slowly, I picked myself up and brushed the twigs and grass off of my body and noted that I would have permanent green stains from the grass on the front of my clothes.

  Stupid dog. I couldn’t believe he didn’t stop.

  I searched around to see if I could find him but the towering trees that surrounded me were blocking any chance of seeing the dog.

  Then I heard steps.

  Like those of a galloping animal.

  The dog popped out from behind a tree with a thick log in his mouth. It could be used for firewood, it was so big. He ran happily towards me and threw the log up in the air with ease. It hit hard on the ground and he picked it up again like it was a twig. He trotted towards me and stopped a little ahead of me, a low growl coming from his chest. He lowered his head and dropped the log and his growl got louder as he bared his teeth. I was afraid to look behind me–where I knew he was looking. The dog started snarling then and I began to shake. Flashes of cold fear started coursing through my body.

  I slowly turned my head.

  It could of been anything. A large animal maybe. I knew there were deer in the forest, even bears. I wasn’t prepared for a bear.

  I slowly reached into my pocket and grabbed onto the mace. Placing my finger on the nozzle, I prepared the only protection I had and I was ready to use it.

  I turned my head completely around. And still I saw nothing. Just a tree. The dog roared, his saliva started to foam around his lips. His eyes were fixated on the tree.

  “He-hello?” I whimpered out.

  Silence. No one answered. The dog stayed where he was, not taking a step closer.

  “I don’t think your dog likes me,” said a smooth voice.

  “Who are you?” I asked. I was hoping it was someone I knew.

  “Come find out...” he dared.

  “Sure. I’ll just skip on over there!” My sarcasm was thick. He didn’t sound familiar, so it certainly wasn’t Ayden. How I would have enjoyed my dog attacking him.

  “I’d love to see that.” he said flirtingly.

  “The only thing you’ll get a chance to see is my fist in your face!” I angrily called out. What a perv!

  “Let’s play a game.” he suggested.

  “What? I don’t even know you? Why won’t you show yourself?” I spat out.

  “You’re wrong, Mindy.” He sang. “Are you ready for my game?” the voice uttered.

  “I don’t want to play a game.” I took a step forward. “How do you know my name?” I questioned.

  “Well, if you don’t play the game you’ll never know who I am…” the voice replied calmly.

  I couldn’t figure out who it belonged to, but I had heard it before. I looked back at the dog. He was pacing back and forth, growling and keeping his distance. It was getting so dark out. I should have been on my way back home by now. My vision was poor at night. And even though I knew everyone’s had to be worse at night, it was downright blurry for me.

  The mystery person was in between me and my way back. At least I could make out that it was a young voice. Most likely someone from school.

  “Tick tock, tick tock.” he sang out. “It’s getting dark out…”

  His voice. Something about his voice was so soothing, so…alluring. I wanted to follow the sound of it just to be closer to it. Then I remembered. The only time I had ever felt drawn to a voice was with-

  “Shane?” I asked. “Is that you?”

  There was silence.

  “It is you, isn’t it?” I asked.

  I was no longer afraid. I was certain it was him. No one else I knew had a voice like that and he stayed quiet after I called out his name. Content that I knew who it was, I courageously walked over to the tree. I peeked over and sure enough, it was Shane. He was leaning his back against the tree with his thumbs hanging off his front pockets. He looked like a model, advertising designer jeans. And shirts. And shoes. Heck, he was the whole magazine in one page. He defined everything that could ever be perfect.

  Slowly, he turned his head towards me. His eye color looked a little red. Strands of silver hair were nicely arranged over his face. It looked like elegant strips of moonlight cascading down his beautifully gentle face. The tree he was leaning on wasn’t good enough to be touched by him.

  He tilted his head a little staring right at me.

  “Tsk tsk…now we can’t play the game.” he said with mock sadness through his perfect lips.

  “We could play another!” I blurted out. I just wanted to do whatever he wanted.

  “I don’t think you’ll want to play the other game.” he warned. Even his warning sounded inviting. I felt as if I didn’t care what it was that he had in mind.

  “Sure I will. What is it?” I asked.

  “It’s a game that is only played in the dark.” He looked down at my arms. I sucked my stomach in and tried to look my best as he examined me. “You’re bleeding.” he mentioned.

  “Yeah. My dog forgot I was at the other end of the leash.” I said. I knew I looked terrible. There was nothing attractive about a girl with grass stains and blood on her arms. I had to get home and wash up already! But I couldn’t pry myself away from Shane.

  “You’re bleeding…” he whispered out. His eyes were still on my arms, locked on them as if they were a target.

  “You mentioned that already,” I said. The dog continued growling. Actually, he had never stopped. “I have to go. I don’t want my dog to bite you or anything.” I warned.

  “He won’t come near me.” Shane assured me. “Besides…there are worse things that bite.” He stood up, away from the tree, and inched towards me. The dog got louder as Shane got closer. He stopped in front of me. Practically up against me. I was at ease and my body felt relaxed, almost as if I was floating. Shane gently reached out and grabbed my hand. Slowly, he raised it up to his nose and smelled my arm, gliding his hand over all of the cuts. It made my arm feel cool and the coolness calmed the stinging sensation. Then, Shane released my hand in a quick motion.

  “I should go now.” Shane stepped back and tilted his head. “Too bad, cuz I had special plans for you.” he quickly said and darted away.

  “What?”

  I snapped out of…something. Was it a trance? I felt like I had woken up from a dream. A really nice dream. As Shane disappeared, the dog got closer to me and barked in the direction Shane had gone.

  “You shouldn’t be out here,” said a demanding voice. Dean’s voice.

  “You can actually talk?” I asked rudely. Somewhat dazed, I whirled around to face him. The dog had calmed down and he wagged his tail at Dean. “What do you care if I’m out here anyway?” I asked.

  “It isn’t safe.” Dean sharply said. He stood there. Still, like a statue. His darkness towered over me but there was still enough light out for me to make him out. The moonlight shone on his handsome face and outlined the muscles of his body. A tingling sensation tip-toed all over my skin. Fight it!

  “I have mace!” I blurted out. Regret filled me. What a stupid thing to say! Out of all the airhead moments I’d had, that had to be one of the worst.

  “You should go home, Mindy.” he suggested. He didn’t laugh at me. In fact, he showed no emotion.

  “What is your problem?” I demanded. I felt like shoving him so I could get an immediate answer-one that I‘d deserved for years.

  “You should g
o home before that weirdo comes back,” Dean suggested.

  Flashes of the last day we were friends sparked through my mind. Dean said the same thing to me when we saw his parents’ killer walk by us that evening.

  Sadness waved through me.

  “Why did you stop talking to me?” I demanded, trying to swallow the lump forming in my throat. “Why did you shut me out?”

  There was silence. Dean simply stared at me. Pain overtook his eyes. Just his eyes.

  “I miss them, too.” I said softly. Dean’s parents were the nicest people I knew. They always treated me with love. But it might have been the wrong thing to say because his eyes started narrowing into slits. The rage filling inside them was ready to spew out.

  Dean looked up at the sky and gulped. Even his neck looked powerful as it forced the lump to stay down. Dean dropped his head back down and looked me in the eyes. His features were softer as he stared deep into my eyes, trying to read my soul. I felt for him. I wanted to reach up and hug him. To tell him I would always be there for him. I wasn’t staring at the emotionless Dean I had been attending the same school with-I was staring at the Dean I knew years ago. His green eyes softened little by little and the stars shined off of them. It was almost as if I was looking at the sky in his eyes. Stars? It was dark out. Too dark. I looked down at my dog sitting beside me.

  “You’re right. I should get going...” I told him when he didn’t speak. Dean arched his eye brows up with sadness. His eyes widened and pleaded with me.

  “Don’t.” Dean looked down and away from me. “Please.” he said softly. There was pain in his voice. Mixed emotions tumbled out of his mouth with every spoken word and it was difficult for me to figure out if he was angry or if it was something else entirely.

  “What? I thought you said I should go.” I walked a few steps to where he was looking so that his gaze met mine. The worry in his eyes begged me to stay. “What’s going on Dean? What’s wrong?” I sincerely asked him.

  Dean still didn’t answer. He just stared into my eyes as if it was the only thing in the forest to look at. It wasn’t the first time he looked at me that way, but it was usually from a greater distance like at school or the lounge. I wanted to ask him what that was about.

  “Dean. Why do you stare at me? And I’m not talking about just tonight. It’s all the time.” I asked.

  Dean’s eyes gazed into mine. I felt like I was about to collapse from his penetrating gaze. It was so deep, it made me feel somewhat connected to him. His lips twitched a little, holding back, as if he wanted to tell me something but was hesitating.

  “Dean? Why? Why do you look at me?” I gently asked. My face softened, inviting him to feel comfortable.

  “Like what?” Dean broke out. It sounded like he was out of breath.

  “You know.” I replied.

  “You’re mistaking.” Dean gulped.

  “Why do you do it?” I asked again. I felt I knew what the answer was. My heart was pounding insanely in my chest. I had never felt so nervous and eager for an answer.

  “Every time I look at you...” Dean paused and took in a deep breath. Butterflies fluttered all around my insides. My breathing got deeper and I had to focus on controlling it.

  “What?” I desperately asked.

  “Every time…there’s nothing.” Pain and worry filled his eyes. “It’s just a glance.” Dean looked like he was burning himself and was trying not to react to it.

  Disappointment settled inside me. And I wasn’t sure if it was because I didn’t hear what I wanted to. Which was what exactly? That he was into me? Or if it was because I didn’t believe him; that he was lying and trying to hurt me.

  “MINDY!” Markus called out, surprising me. “Is that you?” His flashlight shone on me, then to Dean, who was back to looking irritated.

  “Markus? What are you doing here?” I asked.

  Without saying anything, Dean walked away, leaving me alone with Markus, the dog, and my thoughts.

  ude! I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day.” Markus said while trying to catch his breath. He bent slightly and placed his hands on his thighs.

  “What’s going on?” I regrettably asked. I was afraid he was going to bring up the disappearing people that he thought Dean was responsible for.

  “You shouldn’t be out in the dark.” Markus panted said. He straightened himself and took deep breaths until he breathed normally again.

  “Why does everyone keep saying that?” I huffed out then smiled at him. “Let’s go home. I’ve had a crazy night.” I reached down and grabbed the dog’s leash and headed back towards my house. Markus rushed to my side.

  “Not crazier than mine,” Markus competitively said.

  “Uh oh. What did you do?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

  “You know the disappearing people?” Markus mentioned.

  “What about them?” I slowly let out, preparing myself for something out of this world to come out of his mouth.

  “Well. They weren’t really… people.” Markus blurted with an animated smile. Whatever he was trying to tell me was sure juicing him up.

  I stopped walking and cocked my head to the side. “What are you talking about?” I asked.

  “Vampires…” Markus slowly whispered with a charge of excitement.

  I threw out a big huff and proceeded to walk again. “Whatever, Markus” I spat behind me.

  Markus caught up to me and grabbed my shoulders to steal my attention. “No. No. It’s true! I can prove it. Wait, no I can’t. But I might be-” he stuttered.

  “What are you rambling about? There are no vampires. It’s just a fictional monster created by someone who had nothing better to do.” I calmly said.

  “Do you believe that about dinosaurs? That they too are just fictional?” Markus asked.

  “No. There’s proof of their existence. There isn’t any for vampires.” I responded.

  “That’s because they disappear when they die. And when they’re alive, they look just like the rest of us!” Markus replied.

  “And how exactly did you come up with this conclusion?” I snickered in disbelief. Were we really having this conversation? I never thought I would have to convince Markus that vampires didn’t exist. He had yet to prove to me that there was a ghost that messed with him when he did his chores.

  “I saw one attacking a human.” Markus pointed at his eyes with his long index finger.

  “A human? You mean you saw a person attacking another person.” I corrected him.

  “No. A living, breathing vampire.” Markus stated.

  “I thought they weren’t alive and they didn’t breath.” I tested him.

  “You know what I mean!” Markus spat out, annoyed.

  “Ok. Why don’t you explain to me what exactly you saw?” I suggested.

  “I was driving around, right?” Markus stretched his arms out in front of him as if he were gripping onto a steering wheel. “So I decided to check out the crime scene. And there they were. This chick was biting some guy’s neck and blood was everywhere. And she was way stronger than him…” he paused dramatically and continued on, “…are you ready for this?”

  I nodded my head.

  “Out comes Dean and kicks her off of him sending her flying into the brick wall! The guy didn’t even know what was going on. He just fumbled all over the place crying about his neck. Dean and the girl…I mean vampire, were throwing swings at each other. She was so fast. But then he took out a sword from a strap on his back and sliced her head clean off! Then poof… she and the head disappeared!” Markus declared.

  “Whoa whoa whoa…Dean was there? My Dean?” I asked.

  “Your Dean? What are you talking about What do you mean by your Dean?” Markus asked with confusion on his face.

  “I mean…the Dean I know. Knew. That one?” I stuttered, trying not to blow my cover.

  “Yeah. That one.” Markus’ face turned serious.

  “Did he see you there?” I asked.

&nb
sp; “I don’t think so. I was parked a good distance. And I quietly drove off when it was over.” Markus admitted. “What were you two talking about anyway? I thought he was a mute.” he questioned.

  “No. He just chooses not to talk to people.” I corrected him.

  “So?” Markus invited, trying to get me to spill the beans.

  “Oh. We were talking about...” I paused. I wasn’t sure what to tell him at that point. Was it a good idea to tell him that Dean wanted to say something to me but didn’t, and I was hoping he would, but he decided not to? He was confused enough as it was by things. “He was telling me the same thing as you. That I shouldn’t be out late.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Hold on…how far were you parked? Isn’t your car a clunker? He should have heard you.” I stated.

  “Well, I was parked too far for him to hear.” Markus said defensively.

  “In a quiet alley... Late at night…” I paused for a moment, “…you would have to park almost a football field away for him not to hear you.” I finished with a smirk.

  “What are you trying to say?” Markus asked.

  “Well, you said that you parked far enough for him not to hear your noisy car. Wouldn’t that make it too far for you to clearly see what happened too? Did you have your binoculars?” I asked hesitantly.

  “No, I didn’t have them. I know what I saw, Mindy.” Markus said firmly.

  “This all can’t be real, Markus. I’d have to see it for myself: the fangs, the poofing you keep talking about.” I said.

  I just couldn’t bring myself to believe all that Markus had told me. Vampires couldn’t exist. They weren’t real. But he would never lie to me. And that was too much for me right then anyway. I was already confused enough about Dean and my feelings for him. But I wasn’t sure why yet. Did I like Dean? Did I like the ripped muscles? The boyish face? The husky voice? Did I mention the muscles? Everything shouted yes to me. But most of all, I liked who he was on the inside. Tonight, he showed me a bit of what he truly was. The boy I knew from my past– the one that never really went away.