Page 3 of To Crave Darkly
I turned around and shouted out to the darkness. “I know you’re there. I’m running late and my boyfriend will get worried if I don’t show up soon. You know how paranoid cops can be...” Fingers crossed that worked but I decided to make a run for it anyway. I was a track athlete champion in my younger years so I figured I stood a good chance of being able to outrun whoever was following me. Almost there. Almost out the other side.
Something heavy slammed into my back and I fell forwards. Hell no. I was not dying here. I scrambled back onto my feet, my chest heaving precious oxygen into my lungs.
Run. I had to run. But my body seemed to be moving so slowly. A few more steps and I’d be in the open. Just a few more –
Pain lanced across my scalp as a hand grabbed my hair and pulled me backwards. My back connected with something solid, but I bucked and thrashed in his hold. An arm snaked around my waist and the hand that was in my hair moved to my throat pinning me to my attacker. I clawed at the hand at my throat, but it wouldn’t budge. I slammed my elbow into his ribs. He yelped behind me and his grip on me loosened enough that I could throw my head backwards. My skull contacted with something pointy and I heard a satisfying crunch.
I managed to break free of his hold, but two more men stalked towards me. Fuck. I knew I was going to get hurt. The odds were against me. There wasn’t much to me and the men in front of me looked huge. Adrenaline pumped through me and energy tripped and traipsed along my skin. I could feelsomethingbuilding and growing inside of me. What did it mean? One of them gripped my arm and I swung my fist at his face. I didn’t get as much force behind it as it connected with his jaw. I felt another fizzle of electricity sing through my veins. Another electric shock burst through my fingers.
What the hell?
Shit. There was no time to think about it. They were coming at me again.
I started to run again but a hand grabbed me and pulled me to the ground. I pushed up onto all fours, ignoring the pain shooting up my knees. I made it to my feet and tried to run but meaty arms clenched around my waist and stopped my escape.
I was hauled back into the darkness of the alley. No. Not back into the shadows. If I went back in there, I would never see the light of day again.
I kicked and screamed as much as I could. Sweat trailed down my spine. My hands went clammy and panic threatened to overwhelm me.
“How’s your nose?” the one holding me said.
“I think the bitch has broken it.” The man with the now broken nose stepped in front of me and in the light of the street lamp I could see it did have a bit of a funny angle to it. I gave my inner self a little high five but Broken Nose Guy cut my victory short as his fist connected with the side of my face. Black spots danced before my eyes. He hit me again. His meaty paw collided painfully with my stomach. My feet gave way beneath me and I crumpled towards the ground. Fuck, that hurt. I felt the pinprick of tears sting my eyes as the guy holding me brought me back up to a standing position.
“That’s enough Victor. Don’t spoil the merchandise. She’s definitely the one we’ve been looking for. He will be pleased.” The guy who hadn’t really done anything in the little fight stepped into the light moving Broken Nose guy, who I guessed was called Victor, out of the way. This guy was definitely the leader of the pack. He emanated authority, from his slicked back greasy hair to his outdated pinstripe suit.
“You are going to make me a lot of money.” He gripped my chin with his cold clammy hands and leant closer to inspect me. His breath was rancid, and I had to hold back a gag. I stared straight at him and spat in his face. To my chagrin he just laughed. The sound was malicious and made my stomach churn. He brought his hand to his face and wiped the mess from it, grinning as he did. It was almost like he enjoyed it. Sick bastard.
“What do you want from me?” If I weren’t so terrified, I’d be really annoyed at how squeaky my voice sounded.
“Everything, little girl, everything.” He grinned manically showing me a great set of pearly white teeth. I must have been losing it though because I was sure his canines looked really pointy. But I didn’t have time to dwell on that thought. A rustle of movement grabbed our attention and turned our gaze to the shadows.
“Victor?” Greasy Man called into the darkness. There was no response. Then out of the silence the sound of a blade sliced through the air and Victor’s head rolled across the ground stopping at my feet. Lifeless eyes stared up at me and I retched.
Oh my God. I was going to die.
“Show yourself!” shouted Greasy Man.
The figure of a man stepped into the shaft of light in front of us, moonlight glinting off his sword. He looked really fucking big and I really hoped he was here to help. I did not need another lunatic trying to kill me right now. Dressed all in black, the man looked intense.And also, familiar.
Motherfucker. It was the guy from the club. What the fuck was he doing here?
“Let her go,” the warrior hissed. His voice was only the level of a whisper, but it cut through the air menacingly.
The guy holding me wrapped his forearm round my neck. He clearly wasn’t letting me go without a fight, but he wasn’t really letting me breathe either. I scratched at his forearms hoping that it would make the guy lessen his grip around my throat, but he didn’t falter. My consciousness slipped and my vision tunnelled. I tried to focus on what was happening in front of me, but the badass with the blade seemed to be moving faster than my eyes could process. The ground rose to meet me as the guy holding me was wrenched away. I looked up and saw my rescuer had him pinned to the ground. Before the blackness consumed me, I swear I saw the warrior plunge his hand into the guy’s chest and rip out his heart.
But that’s impossible right?
***
I felt like I was floating, the wind blowing tendrils of my hair against my face and I felt surrounded bysomething warm and solid. I opened my eyes and winced at the bright lights filtering into my vision forcing me to shut them tight again. Then I noticed the pain. My head was killing me. Christ, that guy had a mean right hook. I tried to move but I was stuck. Someone was holding me tight and fear spread through me like wildfire as I fought to free myself.
“Lori, you’re ok.” A soothing deep voice calmed my tumultuous thoughts. I opened my eyes, slowly this time so I didn’t assault my retinas, and found myself looking into the bluest eyes I had ever seen. I couldn’t even find a word to describe how blue they were. They glowed a bright electric cobalt, and I was mesmerized.
“Lori, I’m taking you home.” I tried to look at the face of my saviour, but I couldn’t seem to focus on anything, and I slipped into the darkness again haunted by the image of bright blue eyes.
Chapter 3
LORI
