by Tim O'Rourke
The huge black rat sprang off into the night on its strong back legs.
Jim snatched the sheet from his typewriter and reread his tale, the corners of his youthful mouth turning up in delight as he did so. He knew she would love this one.
He slouched like a drunk against the wall opposite his classroom. Some of Jim’s classmates had already filed into the room, but he wasn’t ready to start his first lesson of the day without first seeing Wendy. His bag lay at his feet and he regarded it carefully. Inside laid his latest story. His pallor was a washed-out grey, apart from the purple rings of tiredness that lay beneath his eyes. Jim had sat up late correcting his tale, hand-writing in all the missing ‘A’s and trying to get it perfect in every way before submitting it to Ms. Mitchell. He was pleased with the final result.
Jim glanced to his right and smiled at the sight of Wendy approaching from down the hall. She bobbed as she came, her shoes snapping off the tiled floor. Jim met her halfway and they kissed. Her hair was fair and it shone beneath the glare of the fluorescent lights. Her eyes were a warm hazel, her mouth a pink smile.
“You look like shit,” she told him. “What time did you hit the sack last night?”
“Not until late, and thanks for the compliment,” he half-smiled.
“You know what I mean,” she said, and kissed him again on the cheek.
“I didn’t get to bed until the early hours,” he started, but before he could finish, Wendy was squeezing his side.
“I hope you were alone,” she teased.
Jim chuckled and pulled away. “Well it was so hard to resist her, but she was...”
Wendy tweaked him again.
He threw his arms in the air and cried, “I give in. I was writing last night – honest.”
Wendy let him be and gave a satisfied smile. “I believe you. What were you writing? Something pleasant, I hope.”
“You know me better than that,” and a fat grin spread across his face.
“I might have known. You and your ghouls,” she laughed.
Then looking at her, Jim said, “Well you know who I base them on, don’t you?” He spoke in a teasing way.
Wendy placed her hands on her hips and said, “If you mean me, Jim Chambers, then you’re in trouble!”
“Now, I didn’t say you – did I? But come to mention it,” he winked at her and scratched his chin.
Wendy had started to tickle him again, when they were both interrupted.
“Excuse me, Chambers, but you do have a lesson to attend,” a voice said from behind them.
They both froze, then turned their heads in the direction of the soft sounding voice. Jim didn’t have to see her lined face, greying hair, and piercing eyes to know that it was Ms. Mitchell who had spoken. He stepped away from Wendy, blood burning in his cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Mitchell,” he said, picking up his bag. As he thought of the story inside, he smiled.
“Don’t be sorry,” Ms. Mitchell said. “I can remember what it was like to be in love once.”
Both Jim and Wendy flushed scarlet again, wondering if Ms. Mitchell wasn’t actually taking some pleasure in embarrassing them. The old woman stepped back into the classroom. Jim skipped quickly over to Wendy. They kissed, and Jim told her to wait for him on the yard after lesson. Wendy nodded, hoping that the time between now and then would pass quickly. She disappeared up the corridor and Jim turned and entered the classroom.
Ms. Mitchell smiled with pleasure as Jim laid the story in her liver-spotted hands. She took it gratefully. “Another tale. How exciting,” she breathed and stroked the pages. “James, I’ll read it this very lesson. Thank you.” She turned and moved slowly towards her desk, eyes fixed on his manuscript.
Jim went to his own seat, feeling pleased.
Ms. Mitchell set some work for the class, then buried her nose in the story she clutched in her hands. Her eyes rolled back and forth as they soaked up the words Jim had written. He sat and watched her read over the lip of his workbook. Jim liked to study her expressions which fell across her face as she read his stories. But today something was wrong. Ms. Mitchell didn’t have a look of pleasure on her face, but a look of anger.
The lesson passed. The class milled from the room on her command and she requested that Jim should stay behind as he always did when she was in possession of one of his stories.
“Not you,” she whispered, hooking one of her fingers and beckoning him forward.
Jim gathered his books together and strolled to the front of the classroom. “What did you think of my story, Ms. Mitchell?” He shifted from foot to foot.
“It was very good, as they always are,” she said, her eyes fixed on his. “You have quite a talent.”
Ms. Mitchell moved to the classroom door, shut it tight, then turned the key in the lock. Taking hold of the key, she turned to look at Jim. She poked her grey-looking tongue out, placed the key on it, then swallowed. Jim watched the lines on her neck ripple as the key passed down her throat. With his stomach beginning to tighten and his heart racing, he watched his teacher shuffle back across the classroom towards him.
“Tell me, James,” she whispered. “How did you know? How did you ever find out?”
“Find out about what?” Jim asked, he frowned with a nervous smile.
“Me,” she suddenly snarled.
Jim stood gawping at her, his eyes fat and round with fear. The folds in her pastel blouse began to move as her flesh began to change shape beneath it. The change from woman to rat took just seconds. Before Jim had even had the chance to truly understand what had happened, a set of razor-sharp teeth were ripping at his throat.
Wendy stood on the yard, a chilly wind tugging at her hair, as she waited and waited and waited...
‘Dead Statues’
Kiera Hudson Series Two Book Three Coming Soon!
‘Cowgirls & Vampires’
Coming August 2012!
Also by Tim O’Rourke
‘Vampire Shift’ (Kiera Hudson Series One Book 1)
‘Vampire Wake’ (Kiera Hudson Series One Book 2)
‘Vampire Hunt’ (Kiera Hudson Series One Book 3)
‘Vampire Breed’ Kiera Hudson Series One Book 4)
‘Wolf House’ (Kiera Hudson Series One Book 4.5)
‘Vampire Hollows’ (Kiera Hudson Series One Book 5)
‘Dead Flesh’ (Kiera Hudson Series Two Book 1)
‘Dead Night’ (Kiera Hudson Series Two Book 1.5)
‘Black Hill Farm’ (Book One)
‘Black Hill Farm: Andy’s Diary’ (Book Two)
Doorways (Book One)
About the Author
Working away in the dead of night, Tim has written many short stories, plays and novels. His most recent book 'Dead Flesh' (Book One in Kiera Hudson Series Two) is now available. Tim is also the author of the paranormal romance series entitled 'Black Hill Farm' and ‘Doorways’ – A book of Vampires, Werewolves & Black Magic.
Tim's interests other than writing, include watching South Park, Vampire Diaries, True Blood and listening to Pitbull, LMFAO, Jennifer Lopez, David Guetta, Bruno Mars, Rihanna and Adele. Tim is never happier than when reading The Twilight Series, Vampire Diaries and writing his own Vampire series “Vampire Shift.”
Don't be shy; feel free to contact Tim at [email protected] - Tim would love to hear from you. Website: www.Ravenwoodgreys.com
