Page 1 of In the Grey of Dawn

Prologue - Porter

You’re Mine - Phantogram ?

Six Months Earlier

“So you're telling me that Aliens are real, but Bigfoot is too much of a stretch? You live in the mountains! He could literally be living in your backyard,” Charlie says, staring at me in shock.

“I don't know what to tell you, it's just not realistic, and anyway, who's going to be scared of someone like Bigfoot? He doesn't seem very scary. I mean, unless you had to shave him, I guess. Thenthatwould be terrifying.” I say, thinking of how you could possibly tackle that situation. The amount of shaving cream and razors alone would be astronomical.

“Iwould be scared, is who. Most normal people would be. The thought of being completely helpless to a beast like that … actually, now that I've said it out loud, maybe you're right, being restrained, maybe even tied up … that sounds like something I would be willing to try,” she says, a small smirk forming across her face. “That sounds like something Ineedto try.”

Taking the third bottle of wine we've shared, she tips it completely upside down and shakes it.

“Don't go anywhere, I'm going to get another bottle and Ihaveto know your thoughts on megalodons,” she says, standing next to me, putting her hand on my shoulder for balance and squeezing it slightly before she heads toward Ace’s house. The old white farmhouse with its wrap-around porch is a beautiful feature to the valley; and from this angle, the moon glows brightly behind the mountains causing the house to stand out in the surrounding darkness.

Dante and Mila’s wedding was beautiful and I'm not too much of a man to admit it. Simple, elegant and small. Something I wished for myself many years ago. But tonight, with new friends, and getting to share in the happiness of the evening, it's been nice to just forget and be myself. The only downside I can find to a wedding this small is that Charlie and I are the only singles. So we've been lumped together. Thankfully, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. She’s sexy, funny, and has a bit of sass that pops out from time to time. It's not that she’s not beautiful, she is.

She's breathtaking.

Tall, curvy and a smile to die for. She's just not the woman I wanted. I guess technically Ace and Nova are single, but I like my balls firmly where they are. I'd sooner fight the Devil herself than try and get cosy with Nova. If Ace ever saw me make a move on her, especially in front of him. I don’t think I would live to see the dawn, knowing how much he loves her and the pain that would cause.

I have no idea how we ended up talking about what conspiracy theories are real, but I have a good buzz on and it's an entertaining conversation. Far better than the usual small talk you have to make at weddings.

Grinning, an idea comes to mind about how to make this night extra entertaining.

At least for me.

If Charlie is afraid of Bigfoot then I can think of no better way to scare her than pretending to be the big guy himself. I mean, I'm wearing a black suit, that's almost the same as dark fur,right?

The other couples here are on the dancefloor, with the sheriff and Dr Johnson having departed a few hours ago. They both agreed it was time to leave usyounginsto party, so our table is fortunately empty. I don't have to make an excuse about where I'm going or try to find a gap in conversation to sneak away. My brain can only think of one thing.

Catching Charlie.

Quickly getting up from my chair, I make my way across the driveway and can see her through the window opening cupboards in the kitchen. She’s standing on a footstool, one leg exposed through the slit in her dress. Her skin looks silkin in the light and for a moment I wonder what it would feel like to run my tongue across her thighs. By the time I reach the front steps of the old house, she’s no longer visible and the door to the basement is open.

My heart beats a little faster as the anticipation builds. Quietly as possible, I step into the stairwell and close the basement door, the light still shining down below. I can hear her moving around as I wait in the shadows for a moment. Turning the light switch off, a squeal echoes across the basement walls, accompanied by the sound of something heavy falling to the ground.

It takes a second for my eyes to adjust as I creep down the stairs, remaining in the black of the stairwell. There is a smallglow coming from the few windows high up on the wall, but not nearly enough light to make out anything other than large shapes in the darkness. My foot hits a box, making a scraping sound of something dragging across the floor and another squeal comes from where Charlie is standing.

“Who … who’s there?” she says with a shaking voice, but there's an air of strength and confidence to it. I don't know if it's the terror when she speaks that does it but I'm as hard as a rock right now. This new feeling spreading over me.

What the hell is happening?

It has to be the alcohol or something because I haven't felt …anythingin six years, two months and fourteen days.

Why now? Why Charlie?

Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m no longerthisperson after all. My old life is simply that, my old life.Maybe,this is a bad joke after all, and I should reveal myself. Quickly, I decide to stop whatever game it is I’m playing.

Is Bigfoot even a game?

I take a step forward, completely forgetting about the box I hit with my foot just seconds ago and end up stumbling and lunging at her from the shadows.

Pushing her back into the wall, I try to catch myself from falling, while her arms and legs attempt to hit and kick me. The one that gets my shin really fucking hurts too.

“Charlie it's me. I'm sorry, it was a joke.” I attempt to tell her, but she’s still trying to hit me. “Charlie, it's me. Calm down,” I say slightly firmer, grabbing both her wrists and holding them above her head.

Moving one hand, I hold her face, making sure she's looking straight at me as I push my body against hers, trying to pin her in place.

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