by Julie Morgan
A white veil drops over her eyes, blinding her. Her heart is racing so fast that she feels a panic attack coming on. Fighting against her captor, she feels herself lifted into the air. Breeze whips around her body. A crash sounds as her head turns from side to side, trying to make out what is happening. Finally landing on something solid, her feet touch down on what feels like a windowsill. Shoes in hand, she grasps the man holding onto her, feeling hair on his forearms. Her breathing comes out in labored breaths, her fingernails dig into the man’s arm.
“Stop it. I’m trying to help you.” His voice is soft against her ear. Lisa fights against him more as he re-adjusts himself, pulling her hands to her chest and holding her tight. Tears spill down her cheeks. She feels the man holding her push off of something and they jump, floating through the air.
"NO!" growls the dark voice. She feels something swipe at her feet, but it doesn't reach her. The sounds of the night fill her ears.
A warm voice speaks to her, his lips barely touching her ear. “I promise, I'm not going to hurt you." The voice is like velvet; strong, hypnotic, luring. His scent is like early morning dew in the forest. He's sunshine, rain, musk, and fresh air all in one. The air rushing around Lisa’s body forces her to hold her breath, afraid of what will happen if she speaks.
She has no perception of her surroundings. Not knowing where she is, other than against a man’s body that she doesn’t know, sickness begins to overtake her. Abruptly, she’s on the ground and his arms gently release her, allowing her to regain her balance. The white veil over her eyes remains for a moment longer and her eyesight begins to return. Her hands reach out in front of her in hopes of touching something solid. As the white veil blinding her slowly removes itself, her eyes begin to let in hues of light. Blinking a few times, her eyesight fully returns. How did she get into the alley behind the club?
Turning quickly, trying to take in her surroundings, her back presses against the wall of the club, her breath pulling in quickly as panic takes over again. “Hello?" she says, trembling.
"Hey, what are you doing out here?" Lisa’s head snaps to the right and she screams out. The guy who just came outside jumps back and glares at her. He's tall, with muscles rippling throughout his body. His white fitted t-shirt is in contrast to his dark skin. He stands over her as his light tan eyes look into her green ones. His brows turn up slightly in concern. "Are you okay? Did someone bring you out here?"
Lisa shakes her head. Everything that has just happened seems to vanish from her mind. Looking up at him, she stares for a moment. "Umm, I'm not sure what happened. I was in the bathroom; next thing I know, I'm here." Feeling a fog clouding her mind, she reaches up and brushes her fingers over her forehead.
"Do you want me to call you a cab?" Standing with Lisa, he watches her, thinking she probably had too much to drink. He shakes his head. "I can't leave you out here alone."
"What?" She looks up at him. "Oh, right. No, that's okay. I have a car outside. Thank-you, though."
Leaning against the wall, she dusts off her feet and slips her heels back on. She pushes herself off the wall and starts walking back towards the club entrance. Having no idea what has just happened or how she got out here, she’s definitely convinced that her drink was spiked with something. "I just need to get my friend.” He nods as he walks behind her.
The music grows louder the further they walk in. Lisa turns to face the bouncer. "What's your name?"
"Shawn." He looks down at Lisa.
"Hi Shawn, I'm Lisa. Would you mind, umm…" She bites her lip.
"Staying close?" He raises a brow.
"Yeah. Is that okay?” She pauses for a moment. “I really don't know how I got outside." Wrapping her arms around her waist, she looks up with confused eyes.
He nods. "Not a problem. Where's your friend?" Looking out towards the bar where she remembered Tad being earlier, she sees Jill sitting next to him, talking and laughing.
Sighing with relief, Lisa begins stepping further into the club. "Right there.” She looks up at Shawn. “Thank-you.”
"You're welcome.” He smirks at Lisa. “A fine young thing like you outside alone? Yeah, not while I'm on duty. Let's go, shorty." She smiles up at him.
When they walk up to Jill, Tad turns and looks at Shawn with a raised brow, then down at Lisa. Jill turns to see what Tad is looking at, then faces Lisa, standing up. "Are you okay? Did something happen?”
"I'm fine. I'm not quite sure, but I'm ready to go home." Lisa watches Jill's face fall slightly. Nodding, Jill turns to Tad.
He speaks up. "If it's all the same to you, I'll be happy to drive her home." Jill smiles, then turns back to Lisa.
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Call me."
Lisa turns to leave, Shawn following close behind her. Jill slips back up on the stool and back into Tad's company as Lisa walks out the door. The music fades behind them and the night air blows over her exposed skin. "Excuse me," she tells Shawn, reaching into her clutch and pulling out her valet tab, handing it to the valet. When she thinks that Shawn isn’t watching, causally, she adjusts her bra. He chuckles, keeping his eyes straight ahead. "What?" Lisa smiles softly.
"Oh, nothing. Just curious about what you’re doing. Women tend to hide stuff in there. You know…money, ID, kitchen sink."
Lisa furrows her brows, then laughs. "There's no way I can get a kitchen sink in my small bra.” She grins as the valet runs off to fetch her car.
"I hate them huge. Yours are perfect. Don't make 'em bigger than what they are." Lisa looks up at him as Shawn winks at her. "Not every man out there likes huge cans."
Her eyes open up a little wider. “Cans?”
"Yeah. Cans, jugs, melons, tits, whatever." Shawn chuckles as Lisa's car is pulled around. "Damn girl! Nice ride!" He whistles, as he checks out her car.
She shakes her head at the conversation she is having about her breasts with a man she just met. "I'd offer you a ride, but you're working." She smiles up at Shawn, handing the driver a fifty dollar tip. He thanks Lisa as she nods to him.
Turning back to Shawn, she says, "Thank-you for helping me, Shawn. You're like a big teddy bear." She smiles and waves to him, slipping into the car. The valet shuts the door behind her and approaches Shawn's side.
"Teddy bear?" Shawn turns and glares at the valet.
"My bad," he says, holding up his hands and moving back to his valet station. Lisa revs her engine and takes off. Looking back as she passes through the parking lot, she waves again and he smiles, turning to head back into the club.
Arriving home, Lisa parks her car in the garage. Getting out, she locks it up and heads upstairs. Walking inside, she drops the keys in the crystal bowl on the table, then removes her heels. Welcoming the chill of the hardwood floor on her feet, she walks into her bedroom and turns the light on, ready to be done with tonight’s events.
Padding across the floor of her bedroom, she sets her designer shoes on the floor next to her armchair. Setting her clutch on her dresser, she reaches behind her head, grasps the zipper, and begins pulling it down. Stepping out of her dress, she lays it across the chair. Her mind continues to try and figure out how she went from the bathroom to the alley. Having no memory of what happened or how she got there, she assumes that someone slipped something into her drink and Shawn found her just in time. Shaking her head, she takes a quick shower and slips into pajamas. Turning down her bed, she turns off the lights, and crawls into her waiting bed. She pulls the sheets up to her shoulders and relaxes, allowing sleep to take her.
Chapter 3
Suspended from chains, hooks are threaded roughly through the skin of her back. It feels as if her skin is tearing like raw meat. Claws scrape at her body as layer upon layer of skin and muscle is shredded. Her body screams in torment; her eyes cry blood, which seeps onto the floor. The air is so thick with smoke, sulfur, and fire that her skin begins to bubble and melt off of her body, just to regenerate and start again. The hellhounds below her feed off the flesh
that falls off of her body. Her bones crack and heal over and over. Her body is pulled in inhumane ways as she screams. The fire burns all around her, licking at her body, and the pungent smell of death fills her nose. The pain is constant, the torture never ends. It. Never. Stops. It is eternal.
Lisa can hear his voice, hear his snarls. He’s coming towards her. In between her blood curdling screams, she tries to make out his appearance. The shadow reflecting on the wall is huge. He stands close to ten feet tall; his build is incredibly thick; his chest and arms are massive; he has the snout of a bull and the build of a man. He snarls and swings his fist at something, which screams in fear as it flies across the room. There’s a crash and its screaming stops. Maybe she can’t hear him over her own screams. Fear is coursing through her as the shadow begins to turn. He’s walking, loud thumps vibrating throughout the room. Heat radiates from him, from the walls, from the demons. Everything suffocates around her as he approaches. The demons torturing her body back away and cower in fear. Standing before her, he looks down at her suspended body. She dares to look up to him. He roars as fire engulfs her body, a scream leaving her lips.
Lisa bolts up in bed, screaming. Looking around her room, she’s panting and beads of sweat are slipping down her body. Her sheets are soaked and her hair is matted. Her hands reach up, quickly patting her face and body, realizing it was a dream. No, it was a nightmare. She closes her eyes as warm tears stream down her cheeks, while her heart attempts to regain control of itself. Opening her eyes, she rotates on the bed and her feet touch the hardwood floor. Standing, still shaken from the nightmare, she looks around her room again, not able to shake the feeling that she’s still being watched. Looking to her left and then her right, she decides that she’s alone. A part of her brain screams that she’s not, but she convinces herself that it’s just the nightmare still having an effect on her.
Walking into her bathroom, she flicks on the light. The light lavender walls surround her, the pedestal sink holds her toothbrush and mouthwash. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she notices the dark circles under her eyes. Leaning in, she takes a closer look, bringing a finger up to touch the bags. “Wonderful.” Pulling back, she looks at her medicine cabinet. Pulling it open, the door blocking her view from the mirror, she grasps a bottle of Tylenol. Shaking out two tablets, she replaces the lid and sets it back inside. Shutting the door to the cabinet, she screams at the reflection of a man standing behind her. His features are hidden except for the glow of his red eyes and a smirk on his lips.
Smoke surrounds his body in an otherwise black environment. Her mouth is suddenly dry, the fear pounding on her chest prevents her from screaming. As hyperventilation takes over, she drops the Tylenol and grabs hold of the sink. Panting, she turns quickly to face her attacker, but no one is there. Her eyes dart to the door, then towards her shower curtain; no one’s around but her. Her heart still racing, she grasps the sink and leans against it. Staring at the space behind her, save for the bathroom cabinet filled with linens and towels, she is alone.
Closing her eyes, she swallows against her dry throat…and her fear. She turns back to look in the mirror and only sees herself. Sighing softly, she bends over to pick up the Tylenol. The hooded man appears in the mirror again. He smirks and whispers, “Lisa…” The mirror fogs up as a sadistic laugh leaves his lips.
His voice is not heard by her as she rights herself back up. His image disappears, leaving a film of fog in his wake. Looking at herself in the mirror, she gasps and her heart races again. She backs away until her back presses against the wall behind her. Feeling her body tremble, she closes her eyes and counts to ten in an attempt to control her breathing. Opening her eyes again, she only sees herself in the reflection. Her breath still shallow, she tilts her head up against the wall, wondering if she’s having residual effects from the dream.
Stepping back towards the sink, her eyes continue to look in the mirror, scared that whatever that thing was will reappear if she looks away. Picking up the glass on her sink, she fills it up with water. Popping the two Tylenol into her mouth, she swallows them down, then grabs her toothbrush and brushes her teeth. Rinsing her mouth out, she puts her toothbrush and glass back on the sink.
Stepping towards the shower, she stares at the curtain. “I’m being ridiculous,” she tells herself.
Grasping the curtain, she takes a deep breath and yanks it back, revealing her tub and shower. The clean, white tile with shampoo, conditioner, and body soap sitting in a shower caddy, her loofah hanging in wait. Shaking her head, her mind still rattled, she turns back towards her mirror, but only sees the reflection of her bathroom. Turning back towards the tub, she turns on the shower and pulls the curtain closed. Pulling her pajamas off, she places them in the hamper as steam from the shower begins to fill the bathroom. She turns the water from hot to medium and steps in, closing the curtain around her.
As the water runs down her body, her hair becomes saturated. She closes her eyes as images of the man with the red eyes replay over and over in her mind. She begins to wash, then condition her hair. Running her hands through her hair, she tries to get her mind off of whatever is mind-fucking her tonight. Picking up her loofah, she squeezes body soap onto it, running it over her body. As she rinses the soap off, her mind begins to wander as it drifts into a fog.
The water running into the tub begins to shift, taking shape. Fingers erupt from the water, and gently begin moving up her feet and over her ankles. The touch is light and seductive. She turns her back to the showerhead as the fingers turn into hands. Moving up her body, they gently grasp her arms. The water from the showerhead begins shifting, forming arms that extend out from the hands. A chest, waist, legs, and head begin to solidify. The clear water begins to change to more of a flesh tone. Dark brown hair forms on the head of the man standing with her. He’s naked and he gently presses against her. His hands move around her body, his chest presses against her back, and his hardened length presses against her ass. She gasps as his hands move to her breasts, kneading them gently. He presses a kiss against her shoulder. Leaning back into him, she feels one hand move from her breast and float down her abdomen. Reaching her sensitive skin, his fingers press between her folds. His hand grips her thigh and he pulls it up, lifting it to rest on the side of the tub. Gliding his hand back down the inside of her thigh, he begins circular motions on her mound. She moans as his length presses hard against her. He growls into her ear and his teeth nip her neck.
The ringing of Lisa’s phone snaps her from her daze. Looking around her shower, she’s alone. She removes her fingers from between her legs. Her body begins to shake because she’s not sure what just happened to her. Turning off the shower, she reaches out and grasps her towel. Drying her hair quickly, she wraps the towel around her slender frame and pushes the curtain open. Stepping out onto the bathmat, she stands there for a moment, collecting herself. Closing her eyes, she again counts to ten.
“Please let whatever’s happening stop. I can’t do this. Not today, not ever. Please make it stop.” Opening her eyes, she looks around her bathroom, wondering if whatever was in the mirror will make another appearance, or if she’ll be given the gift of peace. The water draining down her tub makes a soft groan, as the remains of the seductive demon disappears.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight’s the big event that Lisa's been planning. She’s hosting one of the red carpet events in Manhattan. "The Movie of the Year" is hosting the celebrities starring in the film, giving awards and face-time for promoting their movie. Many A-list celebrities have been confirmed by their agents to make an appearance. Arriving at the office, she meets Mariah on the front steps. Taking Lisa’s briefcase, Mariah hands her a stack of messages and begins going over the day's events. “Samuel needs to speak with you first thing today. Then I have your office ready to go. I’ll meet you up there to go over today’s event to make sure I have everything ready for you.”
“Mariah, you’re amazing. Thank-you.” Mariah smiles
at her boss as she walks in the direction of Lisa's office.
Walking towards Samuel's office carrying only her coffee tumbler, everything is buzzing. This party will definitely put Lisa on the PR map. She can feel that things will be changing for her tonight. Lisa looks at the pictures on the walls. They have changed in the last five years she’s been here. Some of the photos are now of her with celebrities, actors, musicians, and athletes. Approaching Samuel’s door, Lisa knocks and pushes the door open. Hearing his voice, Lisa peeks in and Samuel looks up, waving her inside.
“I don’t care! That’s not what I agreed to! No you tell him…” He trails off as his eyes meet Lisa’s. It looks like he’s pissed but when he looks to her, his face transforms into a smile. He motions for her to sit down. Nodding, she takes a seat and crosses her legs. “You tell them the deal is off, then. No, I don’t have time for this bullshit!” Pressing what she assumes is the end button on the device, he pockets his cell phone. Running a hand through his hair, Samuel turns his attention to her and offers a smile. “Lisa, you ready for your big night?”
She nods, intertwining her fingers in her lap. “I am, but is everything okay? I hope it’s okay to ask.” She raises her brows, biting on her lip.
He smiles at her as he stands up and walks around his desk, leaning on it in front of her. He crosses his arms over his chest and sighs, nodding his head. “Yeah, all is well. I’m in the position of acquiring another PR firm. They’re being asshats.” He chuckles. Looking down to her, he smirks. “You ready to light Hell on fire tonight?”
She grins at his terminology, then nods. “That I am. You're coming, right?”
He nods. “Wouldn’t miss it.” She feels a light blush touch her cheeks as he chuckles and pushes off of his desk. “Steven was right about you, Lisa. You’ve done great things here.” Looking back at her he grins, then turns back to the wall. Pressing a button, he opens a secret cabinet and exposes a row of liquors.
