Page 11 of Blood Lust

She still hasn’t manifested into a nebulous memory. I vividly remember how pretty she was. Her skin was pale but flawless. Dark eyeliner highlighted her gorgeous, crystal-like, hazel eyes. Perfect teeth too. All she needed was a change of hair color and she easily could’ve been a cheerleader or made a serious run for prom queen. Yet, she chose to be somewhat of an outcast, and foolishly chose to be with me, an animal.

I loved her, or I grew to love her. At first, I felt that shewas probably playing a cruel trick when she approached me and asked to see my fangs. I’d always been self-conscious about my teeth because. Yet, here was Annie standing in front of me, with hands behind her back, and one foot in front of the other, waiting patiently for me to comply with her request. I remember the way she brushed back her green-and-black dyed bangs behind her left ear when she asked me again. She lacked the arrogant posture others have when they asked to see my teeth. No mocking smirk.

It was summer when we met at work. We’ve both been hired for the graveyard shift. I was a security guard; Annie an inventory clerk. We worked for an auto parts warehouse behind a strip mall near our homes. Her mom’s boyfriend’s brother gave her a part-time job so she could help pay the bills.

The warehouse had a varnish smell to it, and the lights above the large gray metal racks flickered like strobe lights. It was that time of night where we found ourselves alone, over by the spark plugs and headlamps.

I was doing a security camera check when she surprised me from behind.

“You should smile more,” she said.

“Excuse me?” I turned my head, looking over my shoulder, almost falling off the stepladder.

“You’re Aaron, right?”

“Yeah, hi, umm... you’re Annie... Annie Hox?”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Freaking hot in here, isn’t it?”

“Very,” she said with a radiant smile. Perfect response from the most perfect girl.

Working without a car, meant that only positions within walking distance were viable options. I happened to run into the owner of the auto parts warehouse, right as I turned in my own application. I remembered him measuring me up anddown from head to toe. There was no way he’d hire a scrawny kid like me. But I smiled, and that was all he needed to see. No experience necessary, I guess. Someone willing to put their life on the line, working security for mud flaps and pine-scented air fresheners who owns a set of teeth like a menacing German shepherd was all the place needed.

“No break-ins so far?” she said, flashing a smile. “You must be doing something right. Looks like they finally hired the right guy.”

“Yeah?” I shrugged. “Guess so.”

“There was a break-in nearly every week before you came along. Place no longer carries car stereos.”

“That’s good to hear,” I said as I keep my lips as close together as possible. She probably thought I was practicing ventriloquism.

“So, like, what’s your deal?”

Great. The inevitable interrogation, I thought.

“Deal?” I forced a chuckle, dry as dust. “Just doing my job.”

Although the question was rather rude, there was a subtle sweetness in her voice.

She then pointed at my mouth.

“Yeah,” I said, lowering my head, defeated again.

“No, no. I didn’t mean to be rude. Sorry if I came off that way. I... I think they’re pretty awesome.”

That was the first time anyone had ever described my mild deformity with a positive adjective.

“You think so?” Still, I remained poised for a punch line at my expense.

“Yeah. Kinda wild. I like them. Have you ever used them? Like, is it easier to chew through a piece of steak or something?”

I can’t remember the last time I had steak. My mother worked days and evenings trying to support us after my dad left us high and dry, and steaks were one of those luxury items wenever indulged in, cable TV being another. I couldn’t recall my teeth making eating a burger any easier.

I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”

If Annie only knew why God gave me these teeth, and if there was a way I could tell her without scaring her off… but Annie was full of surprises. Her next inquiry was just as shocking as her first.

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