The Crimson Hunt

by Smith, Victoria H.

  “Can we help you?” A guy in a skull and crossbones tee sat across from me with his matching, pierced girlfriend. They stared at me like I grew a second head.

  Ah! Could this night get any better? “Sorry, wrong table.” After snatching up my purse, I shaded my eyes with my hand as I walked back to Luca’s table. When I got there, I sat down slowly. I tried to redo the self-meditation exercise I conducted in the bathroom, but to no avail.

  Luca looked at me, his eyebrows raised with his lips slightly turned up.

  “Don’t ask.” I took my gaze down to the floor.

  “I was not.”

  My eyes, staring at the sticky residue on the coffeehouse floor, couldn’t read what he thought about my ditsy moment. So much for not looking like an idiot in front of him.

  “You are indeed very interesting, Ariel Richmond.”

  I looked up into his eyes. The heat of my face finally subsided. Instead, it slid downward.

  *

  Gemini played the rest of the night. His music left me speechless as I listened intently. The only thing that would disconnect me once in a while was Luca’s hard stare on me. It seemed he was more interested in me than in the music. I could only be so lucky. Though Piper flustered me earlier, I didn’t let it affect me. I promised myself I was going to open up, and I refused to let her ruin that. The night eventually had to end, though, and the drive home seemed even quicker than our original departure.

  Luca opened my door, and escorted me to my creaky front stoop. When we arrived, he slipped his hand in mine. As he lifted my hand to his mouth, I sucked in a breath.

  Keeping his eyes on mine, he kissed my hand, his soft lips grazing my trembling skin.

  It took all I had inside me not to jump him and beg him to have his way with me. He was being way too much of a gentleman for my liking.

  “I am glad you decided to come out with me tonight. It was nice to spend an entire evening with you when you are not upset with me.” He gave a soft chuckle.

  My face heated for what seemed like the millionth time that evening. “Well, tonight, I think you redeemed yourself.” I laughed.

  “Until our paths meet again with one another,” he said.

  “Yeah, until then.” I gazed at his hand. It still held mine. He stroked my skin with his thumb. I knew tonight was our first date, but I couldn’t help but wish he would kiss me. I wanted to know what his lips felt like against mine, if they were as inviting and intense as his presence.

  I gazed up at him and felt like my eyes were drowning in his. There was that pull between us that we first shared at the coffeehouse. It was so powerful that I stepped toward him, letting him know what I wanted.

  He didn’t step back, but didn’t move closer, either.

  I took another step, our chests within inches. My breathing staggered, watching his lips. They seemed like they were drawing closer to mine. Wait—they were. He slowly moved toward me, closing the gap between us.

  I moved with him in a trance. My eyelids flickered down to close; my lips ready to receive his. His gaze dropped down to our joined hands, and I stalled my pursuit. He watched our hands for a moment before releasing mine.

  Confused, I stared hard into his eyes. There was an uncertainty embedded in them, as well as a subtle sadness …. A sadness I felt like I’d seen before.

  He nodded, and then headed down the stoop, fading into the darkness.

  I stood there, just as confused as the day we met, as I watched him get into his car and drive away.

  *

  Maybe I rushed things, I thought as I walked inside. He did just admit he knew I was mad at him those other times. Maybe he couldn’t read how I felt about him and thought the moment was too soon to come-on to me. Maybe he was just being a gentleman.

  I made a motion to put my keys on the hook by the door, but missed. The room was too dark for me to place the keys properly. That was weird. Usually, either Piper or I left the table lamp on for the other. I figured I’d stayed out later.

  I pressed the side button on my watch, triggering the backlight. The hour wasn’t that late. Maybe she wasn’t even home yet. It didn’t hurt to check, though. Even though she’d been a complete ass to me, I still wanted to tell her how my night went. She’d hound me later if I didn’t.

  I threw my bag down on the couch. Heading upstairs, I turned on the house lights along the way.

  Piper’s bedroom door was ajar. I knocked, but received no answer.

  Judging by the lack of sounds, I felt it was safe to open the door. I really didn’t want to see any of that tonight.

  I opened the door a bit further, and she lay on the bed by herself.

  She wouldn’t mind if I woke her. I crossed the room and sat down beside her. “Pipe.” I gently shook her, but quickly realized my actions weren’t necessary. She was wide-awake, and she was crying. “Piper, what’s wrong?” I never see her cry.

  “I tried to call you.” She turned around, her scared eyes looking into mine. The light from the hallway revealed a black eye and a bleeding lip.

  Chapter Ten

  I looked over at Piper as she sat to my right.

  She was there, but not really there at all, and I missed her terribly. She’d been away from me, and only me, for so long. After her ordeal with Adam, she avoided me at all costs, and lately, we’d been making our trips separately to and from school. So when she told me she’d come to class with me today, I couldn’t feel more relieved. Though it was hard to watch her sitting there in so much hurt and animosity, I’d take this version of her. I’d take whatever she could give me.

  Everything moved in slow motion at the hospital that night. I watched them observe her and stayed by her side. They wouldn’t let me in at first because I wasn’t family. Since hers lived in New York though, I was her only contact. They had to let me stay until the more sensitive parts of the exam. I tried to rub her shoulder. I did this all the time when she was stressed. But this time, she retracted. Since then, things hadn’t been the same.

  I stayed in the room with her until they told me to go into the hall. They wanted to examine her more closely and completely discover the damage of that night.

  She sat on a cold plastic bed, her gown open in the back. As I left the room, she wouldn’t even look at me. She kept her head hung.

  I sat there in the hall. My hands tense, I twisted and fumbled with my fingers. The tea of the ER hadn’t brought me any relief that night, and my neck was without my other form of comfort. Unrepaired, my necklace was still absent, and I couldn’t have needed it more.

  I rose when the doctor in the white jacket came through the door. He brought me the news I already knew. And with his words, he brought me the pain I thought I was prepared to handle. But no one is prepared for something like that. No one is prepared to deal with the kind of pain that comes with knowing their friend was sexually assaulted.

  They told me she would be closed off for a while and understandably so. But when she finally did come back to the world, she didn’t come back to me.

  I think deep down she knew I didn’t do anything wrong. That didn’t stop her from being mad at me for not being by my phone that night. She was stranded, called for help, and I wasn’t there for her. We’d always been there for one another.

  After I found out about the drugs in her system, I realized I should have known. I should have known by her unusual text messages something was wrong with her and called her immediately. I could have possibly prevented the attack. I could have gotten her out of there, but I was so obsessed and wrapped up in myself … so selfish. I couldn’t help but blame myself for what happened.

  My next Zoology class following the incident, I explained everything to Luca. Of course, he completely understood why I wanted to keep my distance. Since then, my focus had been on her and only her.

  After we arrived at Zoology that day and took our seats, I couldn’t help but take a quick glance to the back right corner of the room. Luca hadn’t arrived yet. Not that it matte
red. I’d already blown my chances with him. Who’d want to be with someone who was as all over the place with her emotions as I was? He probably thought I was crazy. I pretty much realized pursuing anything with him was a lost cause. Turning back around, I tried to bring myself to speak to Piper, but hesitated every time I opened my mouth. I didn’t want to make things worse. I wished I knew how to make things right between us.

  “Hello, ladies. May we sit with you today?”

  I gazed up to see Luca, his brilliant smile shining on me. He was accompanied by Gemini Maylor. Up until that moment, I never even realized Gemini was in our class. I guessed Luca had a way of outshining any other guy around him.

  I wasn’t sure whether or not to allow them to sit with us. I didn’t want to make Piper feel uncomfortable.

  “Piper, do you mind if I sit near you? I remember seeing you in my Western Civilization class. You did an amazing presentation on the history of early African societies. I hope this isn’t too forward of me, but I was wondering if I could pick your brain a bit.” Gemini flashed a charismatic smile.

  Good Lord, he must love singing. There was definitely a hint of song present in his voice when he spoke. I guess I’d sing all the time too if I had a gorgeous voice like that.

  Piper was completely absent from me just a minute ago. But the second after Gemini spoke, she lit up like someone told her there was a clearance sale on thongs at Victoria’s Secret. “What was your name again?” she asked.

  The seductiveness she often used on men was back in her raspy voice.

  I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, how careless of me. I’m Gemini Maylor,” he said in his captivating voice.

  Piper never stood a chance.

  My hopes lifted, I formally introduced Luca to Piper and allowed the guys to sit with us. Luca sat next to me, and Gemini sat on the other side of Piper.

  Gemini and Piper ignored us from that point on. They both made quick work of getting to know one another. I even heard Piper let out a little giggle every once in a while; Piper Lovelace didn’t giggle.

  With Piper completely preoccupied, I instantly realized the reality of my situation. I was alone with him again. I didn’t know what to say. I’d been playing a vicious game of emotional tug of war with him all semester. I didn’t know what to do.

  “How have you been? I have not seen you around much lately,” he said.

  I stared ahead, not making direct eye contact. I knew I was sitting down, but I didn’t know if my body could handle the effects of those eyes today. Professor James started lecture, so I could pass off my rudeness as paying attention to class. “I know, and I’m sorry about that,” I whispered as to not draw attention to us. “I’ve just been so busy lat—”

  His finger touched my lips, and the thoughts backing my voice left. My chest rose and declined rapidly until he removed his finger. But even after the separation, the feeling of his touch remained.

  “I know. You do not have to explain yourself. I understand.”

  At this point, I had to look into his eyes. He stared at me; the bright hue of his irises so thought provoking.

  My lashes flickered, and I fought the roll back of my eyes. Finally, he took his gaze to the front of the class, and my breath returned.

  Other than the distracting sounds of my pulse and the occasional giggle from Piper, it was just us.

  *

  “Oh God, what am I going to do!” The words danced on the page in front of my eyes that night. I pulled my hand through my hair, pretty much ripping out the long, black strands.

  The librarian pulled down her half-moon spectacles, revealing an annoyed expression.

  “Sorry,” I whispered.

  Piper laughed softly and picked up her stuff from our table.

  Portia gathered her own stuff. “We’re going to head out, Ariel.”

  “What, already?” I really didn’t want to sit there the rest of the night with only my Zoology book for company.

  “What do you mean already? We’ve been here with you since ….” Piper checked her phone. “Effin’ 5 o’ clock. You’re acting insane. I need to eat. Not all of us procrastinated until the middle of the semester. Portia isn’t even in our class, and you made the poor girl quiz you.”

  Portia put out her bottom lip in a droopy manner.

  “Okay, I get it. Have some take-out for me.” My nervous laugh melted into a gentle cry.

  “You really are a sad case. Good luck. Call us if you think the stress will cause you to jump out the library window.” Piper patted me on the shoulder.

  I nodded and the two left.

  It was such a relief to see that Piper was no longer upset with me. Since Gemini got a hold of her, her mood had a complete makeover. Not just toward me, but literally everyone. She actually called Lila by her name when we passed her in the hall today. Lila took such a double take that she couldn’t find an insult for me, so that was saying something.

  I checked my watch. The time was 10:53 p.m. I was in for a long night.

  I continued my rigorous review of the material. But as the night went on, I didn’t gain much ground. There were about fifteen chapters in the first half of the semester’s lectures. I was only up to chapter eight. There’d never be enough time for me to get them down pat before the midterm tomorrow. I wanted to cry at the thought. Laying my head in my textbook, I hoped the words would materialize into my brain.

  “I think the book works better if you are actually reading it.” A gentle laugh accompanied the words.

  I jolted, startled by Luca’s sudden appearance. I quickly raised my head, hoping to God there weren’t any page marks indented into my face. I rubbed my eyes, and Luca’s beautiful face appeared before me. “Don’t be so mean. I’m stressing out here. The midterm is tomorrow.” I said this though I didn’t really mind that he poked fun at me. It was really cute to see him joke.

  I couldn’t help but notice how hot he looked tonight with his strong build lining his t-shirt. He should never cover his beauty with clothes and such things. He also wore a heather-gray carpenter jacket. I hoped my cardigan was enough for the weather when I left tonight.

  “I was not trying to be cruel. I was just stating a fact.” He laughed again and sat on the edge of the table.

  I smiled, his laugher bringing my anxiety down a bit.

  “What are you caught up on? May I be of any use?”

  There were a lot of things he could help me with at this point, but none of them had to do with Zoology. I put my lusty thoughts on the back burner of my mind and focused on the task at hand. “Not unless you have a way to get me to learn about a hundred different classifications of Midwestern birds in the next 24 hours.”

  The smile I loved appeared on his face again.

  “Maybe not a hundred, but I think I can help.” He grabbed my hand.

  Both surprised and exhilarated, I fumbled packing up my stuff. And before I knew it, he escorted me out the library.

  *

  Clearing the library doors, we made our way into the night.

  Luca took me across the grassy area of the quad, the buildings around it still illuminated. They were packed with students, most likely cramming for their midterms as I had been. It felt awesome being led by him in this way. Nothing but the world surrounded us. I loved being swept away by him.

  We got beyond the quad’s extensive boundaries, and Luca led me behind a gray, brick building. I couldn’t quite make out where we were, because the area was so dark. I felt like I’d never been in this area before, though. I guess with most of my classes on the other side of the quad, I could have easily missed the location.

  My hand was led around a corner of the building. In the space, stood a tall, widespread-gate. There wasn’t anyone else around, and the place was completely dark.

  “Are we allowed in there?” I asked, worry in my voice.

  “Probably not,” Luca said. He retrieved a key from his pocket and opened the lock. He then led me by
the hand inside.

  The interior of the gated enclosure was even darker than outside. I couldn’t make anything out. I really grew nervous. The space was so dark, and I couldn’t see Luca anymore. His hand left mine shortly after we entered.

  “Luca?” I called out, gazing around the vast space. My call was met with no answer. This was really getting weird. Where did he go? “Luca?”

  The dark vicinity transformed into an area of brilliant light. Twinkling, frosted blue lights replaced the darkness, and the lights draped the leaves of an enchanting collection of maple and oak trees. A vast array of vibrant flowers surrounded the area. There were so many different shades and species that identifying them all would take a great deal of time. The music of rolling fountains spilled into miniature lakes, and delicate white water lilies floated on the crystal-like water.

  Every time my eyes shifted, there was something new to take in. My senses were completely taken over by the inspiration around me.

  “What do you think?” Luca asked as if he’d been standing there beside me all along.

  My eyes were still adjusting to the lights. “It’s …. It’s awesome,” I whispered.

  He slid my messenger bag off my shoulder, and released his own. Grabbing my hand, he led me to a ladder several feet ahead of us.

  I climbed, hearing him close behind me. When I made it to the top, my feet stumbled, overcome by a bit of vertigo. His hand rested on my lower back instantly. This steadied me, but jellied my legs. His touches always did that to me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the feeling.

  He gently pushed me forward, and released his guidance once we were both stable. “Look up,” he whispered in my ear from behind me.

  My heart leaped in response to his closeness. I breathed him in for a moment, taking advantage of his proximity. Slowly, I came out of it and did as was instructed of me.