by F. Bradshaw
I made no movements against him. The flames had drained me of all I had. My body smelled like the sickening scent that washed over when the meat falls to the flames of the grill and burns away. My hands and arms, from what I could see, were burned black and were torn open from the flames. I was here, but Ryan was gone. I tried to speak, to call out, but my voice did not come. As I opened my mouth, my skin cracked under its movements. I wanted to scream in pain, but nothing would come.
He returned with a small fox. His face covered in blood. I could only smell ash and burnt flesh. I bit into it, and the blood rushed into my mouth. My body welcomed it greedily. It flooded my mouth soothing the pain. I did not look. I did not care. I just wanted blood. Soon its life was over, and blood drained. I needed more. He obliged me with more. A rabbit filled me. With each one, I could feel my skin and body coming back to life.
I could move again without my body cracking and breaking. I realized then my clothing and everything was gone. A blanket covered me. Why was he taking care of me? Why did he save me? I had tried to kill him.
“Not sure where we can go, but we should get somewhere soon.” He sat me up wrapping the blanket around me. He sparked two wires together and the truck started. Its engine revved, and the truck lurched slowly forward. He handed me a torn shirt, and I wrapped it around myself. I could feel that soon the sun would rise. Looking in the mirror, he was right, we needed to get out of sight until we did not look like burned corpses. They would probably throw us in the back of a coroner's van and lock away the keys. The truck moved down the highway.
I looked blankly out the window trying to see anything but my own reflection. The trees whizzed by as the truck moved quicker. Then out of the darkness, I could see her. The smell of her vanilla body spray hit me, bringing out something in me. I flipped down the mirror again wiping off some of the ash and broken skin.
“Looks like there is a hitchhiker. We should give her a ride.” I said wiping down the ash more. He looked over at me with an agonized look.
“I don’t think that is a good idea. Look at us. We would not exactly be the type of people someone would get into a vehicle with.”
“Doesn’t hurt to ask.”
“Look, we can get more blood. I don’t think this is a good plan.”
I let the darkness bubble to the surface. “Pull the fucking car over and ask. If she says no, then we keep going. If yes then…” I trailed off without further discussion. He brushed the ash down his face trying to hide his worry. I knew what he was thinking. He wanted to keep driving and leave her to whatever fate would have. The truth was that this was fate. Why else would we just happen along her? Easy roads. Which would she choose? What lie would she tell herself? Monsters don’t exist?
“Hey, need a ride?” I asked as we pulled up next to her.
“Wow, you really went all out for the party.”
“Yeah, I like to make sure we can live up to the part.”
“Well, I missed the party. God damn boyfriend, and I fought, so he told me to walk. What a fucking jerk!”
I opened the door and slid out with the blanket wrapped around me. She moved closer to me, half checking me out.
“Yeah, the heater is broken, so not really a nice warm ride. I am Emily, by the way. He is Jace. It is your choice if you want a ride. We are headed into town.”
“Yeah, well, it is cold as hell out here, and you guys look ok. Well, I mean not the killer type other than the really good makeup. I love Beta parties and this one would have been awesome. I will take a ride into town, but you can just drop me off at the local diner. No offense.”
“None taken.” I let her slide into the truck. Jace moved as far away from her as he could get that was still in the truck. She slid in apprehensively. “Look, I get car sick if you don’t mind a little barfing, I’ll take the seat next to the window.”
“Nawh, I am not interested. I will sit in the middle.” Resolutely she sat there a little defense in her stance. I could smell it wafting over the fake vanilla. Fear. I looked at her arm. A “Z” was tattooed over her wrist. I slid in next to her and shut the door. Jace put the truck in drive and pulled away from the side of the road.
“What is the Z for?”
“Oh, that would be a wild night with girlfriends. We all got the first letter of our name tattooed on our wrists. I am Zema, by the way.”
“Mind if I take a closer look?” She moved her arm closer to allow me to inspect the tattoo. Mmmm, looks so delicious. I looked over at Jace. The darkness in him could smell the fear in her. We knew what was going to happen. He steadied his position next to her.
“Looks very nice. Maybe I should get something like it.”
“It hurts like a bitch, though.”
“I can only imagine that feeling.”
She relaxed next to me. We had a common bond. The easy thing to do would be to give in. To let the lie of what I could get back if she lived. It is the lies that get us through the day. The thing about the darkness is that we all live there. We all have given in to the darker side of ourselves and say or do something that is wrong. Morality is what keeps us moving forward and eases our consciousness. The only problem is that morality is a human thing. Last time I checked, I was not human anymore. Did I ever want to be?
“No.” I whispered it. Jace’s expression eased thinking that we would just drop her off. He thought that we could just go on believing the lie. The truth is… we are monsters. We are killers.
“Did you say something?” Zema asked carefully attempting to take back her wrist.
“Nothing you need to worry about. Easy road, Jace. Easy road.”
I pulled her wrist to my mouth and sunk in my teeth. The warmth of her blood hit me as the fear in her finally rushed out in screams. Jace pulled the truck over. She tried to pull away from me into him. Jace did not hold back from who he really was, and sunk into her neck like a crane dipping its head into the water for the fish.
She was warm and inviting. I even liked the screams. Poor little red riding hood, she never had a chance against two wolves who were not willing to wait for grandma’s house. Monster. Plain and simple monster. That is what we are… Monsters with fangs, and now with a new place to hunt. Her body loosened as the screaming died out.
Off to grandma’s house we go.
Acknowledgements
First, thank YOU the person holding this book. Thank you for picking Emily up and giving her a chance. I hope you enjoyed her first installment in the Darkness Series. I hope you loved it, and you will continue with her through her journey.
A Special thank you to Zema McMillan and Regina Drozenski. You kept me going and gave me encouragement when it was desperately needed it. Also thank you for kicking my ass and making me continue. You slogged through the worst of my work and kept me going. I can’t thank you enough for all the hours, days, years you have helped me with this book. You both helped me get through my difficulties. You really championed me though even when I was ready for a few bonfires.
Thank you to all of the helpers I have had who helped make this possible Carissa, Mindy and many more. Without you giving up your time, I would still be editing page 1.
Ginger thank you for the late night chats that helped to get my mind working even if you never intended the results that came from our conversations.
My Mom and Dad, Thank you! You both have been so encouraging to me to both write and read. You never made me give up my imagination and made me believe anything was possible. Although this type of book is not your cup of tea, you still helped to support me so thank you! Both of you are the most supportive parents anyone could ask for. You have always helped me believe in my dreams and go after them. There is nothing more I could ask for. I love you both!
Finally, yet importantly by any means, my Grandma Ethel. You have been a champion in my corner from day one. You have helped to support my dreams and make them come true. Without you, I would truly be lost. You are the kindest, smartest, and most beautiful person I kno
w. You selflessly love and unconditionally understand. You are truly an amazing woman and I wish I could be half as great as you. I love you with all of my heart!
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