• Angel

    "Damn Adrian, damn him to hell!" I said out loud to myself. I smiled, the moon bright enough to reflect upon my elongated canines. No one can damn Adrian; he's already cursed. He’s a strong vampire indeed. I frowned at the path down which my thoughts were taking me. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The air was frigid on this autumn night. I could smell the creek that runs through the park, it's water smelling foul with pollution. I wrinkled my nose as another sickly sweet aroma found it's way into my nostrils, the smell of rotten meat. I opened my eyes and stood from my seat on the blue painted park bench. Ignoring the decaying body of the squirrel nearby I imagined my destination. Ithaca, New York, the Uptown Village Townhouse apartment community. Apartment number 341. Adrian's sister's living quarters. His only remaining link to the human world.

    Appearing within her living room I made myself comfortable. I sat down on the sofa and awaited Tania Tucker's return. A clock ticked rhythmically in the darkness. Looking around, the fireplace mantle caught my attention. Family photos, and several of them. I stood and the floorboards creaked below my weight. I approached the pictures swiftly and softly without another sound. My severe blue eyes shined in contrast with my dark skin as I looked from one picture to another. Rage boiled up inside of me as I came upon the only picture of Tania with her older brother, Adrian. They were both smiling at the camera. I picked the picture up and let it slide effortlessly through my fingers. I hated them. The perfect smiles, with happiness enfolded in each miniscule pixel. The glass shattered from the frame as it hit the floor and slid away from my feet as if attempting escape. I looked down upon the broken picture frame and in a small fit of anger drew my arm across the top of the mantle and knocked each picture from its place. The sound of glass shattering relieved me. I stood there staring at the mess when I heard the key in the lock. Tania was home.

    I crept silently to the closet door and hid myself as the lights in the kitchen burst to life. My eyes narrowed as the light from the room next door pierced through the opening I left between the door and it's frame. A sweet whistling cut through the silence as Tania walked into the living room and set down her work things. She turned around and walked back into the kitchen to prepare her dinner. My gaze followed her caressingly out of the room. I silently materialized in the doorway between both rooms and stood there silently as she went about her work. Her long blonde hair kept falling into her face so she quickly tied it up into a ponytail and I eyed her neck longingly. She walked over to the sink and began to wash her hands under cold water and I materialized across the room and flicked off the lights. "s**t," She said and turned off the water. She dried off her hands silently and walked towards the light switch like she had a hundred times before.

    Just as she flicked the switch I covered her mouth with my hand and quickly dragged her to the ground. Her fierce screaming was muffled. She kicked and struggled but I only tightened my grip. I quieted her softly and she calmed herself to the best of her ability. I loosened my grip and turned her to see her captor. Her green eyes widened in recognition and she whispered my name against my hand. "Angel," she whispered again to no avail. It was still terribly muffled by my hand. I tilted my head to the side, no emotion. "I'm sorry." I said and I dropped my hand from her mouth to her throat like lightning and gripped her tightly. She choked and brought her hands up to struggle against my hold. Her eyes bulged and her face started to fill with dark color. "I truly am sorry." I said and kissed her cold cheek. Her struggling slowed and I let off of her airway just enough for her to gasp and then I snapped her neck.

    I stood and looked at my work. Her beautiful broken body lay against the cold white tiled floor. I glanced around one last time and materialized into the night. The wind whipped at my long dark hair and tugged my coat as if trying to free it from my body. I smiled, a frightening thing, and looked into the night sky. I pulled a knife from my coat pocket and used it to gently open a small cut across my wrist. I let my blood slide from my wrist and drizzle into the ground below me. I put my knife away and the cut healed. "I left you my scent, Adrian. I expect to see you soon." I grinned and vanished into the darkness. The Hunt was on.