I froze expecting the worst, strings of wild accusations and hate. It wasn't normal, I wasn't normal. Everything leading from that night was far from ordinary. Could I run away from this and refuse whatever was happening? Did I really have a choice in any of this? Turning forward I braced the storm, waiting. But nothing happened.
I was only acting strange, I could tell by the look Tash gave me. She was worried about me. I opened my mouth ready to spill everything from three nights ago. But I couldn't bring myself to say a word. Where will I start from without sounding crazy? I couldn't believe it myself without doubting my sanity. But I was there that night. I knew my attacker wasn't human, not far from. Along with the fear it brought, it left its mark. I was changing into a monster. Transforming into a mythical being from movies and books. But it was real. Vampire.
"Are you coming"? She asked, leaning against the doorframe leading out from the bedroom to the bathroom.
"Where"? I asked moving towards the double door wardrobe–relieved from Tash prying eyes. Searching through the mess of my wardrobe. I needed something to cover my neck.
"Market square" she said with a huff going to lay on the queen size bed. Narrowing my brows, I got dressed in an orange turtle neck sweater. It hid the non-existent bruises perfectly.
"What's happening there"?
Market square was an open space filled with rolled up carts. They sold a variety of goods, from hand made shoes to hand braided hand bags. But mostly it was known for its second hand cloth. I wondered why Tash wanted to go there. She only went when there was a trade fair. That only happened once a year in October.
"Josh," she said with a sigh. Before rolling on her front, stretching her arms out. I walked to the bed frame, tracing the swirl on the bed frame.
"Well I am not coming," I said. Going out was the last thing on my mind especially after seeing bloody orbs.
"You have to," she said in a demanding tone.
"Am not coming!" I repeated more flatly.
"Please.. please" she said again, locking eyes with mine. Her bright blue eyes baited pleadingly.
Shaking my head, I walked out of the room.
Dusk was setting but everywhere was darker with the glasses on. The entire street was buzzing, filled with people going home or lodging behind. Despite my wishes to blend in, I stood out like a sore thumb. Dressed in an orange sweater and aviator glasses in the middle of summer. I looked ridiculous.
We reached the market, a spacious clearing for vendors to sell. It smelled of pepper, smoked fish, opened sewage all rolled up in heat, wrinkling my nose, I couldn't stand it. The place was less rowdy as some vendors were packing up and wheeling out. But others stayed behind calling and dragging passersby to come and patronize them. Daring ones cover your face with their machinized or dangling gold chain, beaded accessories and multicolored kaftan.
"What's with the shades? and don't get me started on the turtle neck, inside this heat" Tash asked. I stopped in my tracks. I could feel her eyes on me, before and even now. Tash was one of my oldest friends, we told each other everything. I knew the risk I was taking coming out. But I still went with her everywhere.
"The light has been bothering me since the attack" the lie came out smoothly.
"Did you tell the doctor?" she turned to me worried. I swallowed hard looking away.
"It will go in a matter of days," I said slowly.
She nodded once then twice shifting on her feet. "I.." pausing midair she continued
"You can tell me anything even if you don't want to. I can wait."
"Just know I will always be here for you" she said, coming closer grabbing my hands. She felt warm, breathing through my nose. I believed her in that moment like I always did.
"I know," I said quietly. Tash didn't say anything after that but only nodded. She didn't ask anymore questions but left it be. When I am ready, I will tell her. Until then I had to get answers.
"What about Josh?" We were supposed to meet him here. It was getting late.
"He supposed to be here" she said. Bringing out her phone, she started typing. Probably texting him. Looking around, a crusader wheeled down jolting up and down loud music blasting out. Distracted, I tried to stay ground. But I couldn't stay focused, so I drifted in and out. Trying to come with an explanation. Anything that actually made sense. I was coming out short.
I didn't know I had stopped before I felt a light shove on my shoulder. But I was too quick to apologize before I felt it. I gagged impulsively, smelling whatever that was. Snapping my head backwards, It wasn't an object but a person. Strangely, I could feel a source, an energy source. It wasn't warm but wrapped in everything sweet. I had never smelt anything like that before, but along with the allure was something dark.
"Did you see that? I asked out loud. Still pacing around. But there was nothing here.
"What?
Startled by the voice I drew back, breathing fast. .
"Everything okay?" she asked.
Shaking my head at her questions. I looked around and the entire block was empty apart from us. What the hell was that?
Walking to our apartment the feeling stayed with me. Creeping through my heart. There has to be something more, it felt like a shockwave, the smell, the pull, everything. It was reaching out commanding my attention. Slowly I started to wonder trying to catch a glimpse.
"Elisa"
Turning to the voice, Tash was staring at me, arms crossed and a frown on her face. The shift between us was immediate. We haven't exchanged a word after leaving the market. It was hard gripping into a fragile reality that now didn't seem appealing. What I thought I knew or believed, within days was getting kicked at. Replaced by this presence that never had a shape but a strong sense of deja vu.
I didn't know it had gotten darker, almost invisible under the glasses. Walking passed the One Eyed Jacks bar, the shimmering lights and low blues coming inside.
"Did you speak to Josh"? I asked.
"M yes" she said looking straight. I couldn't help it, I had no right but I wanted to act like I did. Maybe it was all in my head but the space felt choked. Would things have been different before that day? Now there was nothing left but a growing distance between us, I wasn't normal and I didn't want to drag Tash into my mess.
"I will have to call him once we reach home," she said finally. I nodded slowly. Fumbling with my hands,I felt awkward. I should try to make things right. Opening my mouth to speak, I stopped midair picking up a distant smell. My entire nerve kicked into action, pulling towards it. My heart kept beating fast and excited, I didn't know what it was but it reached forward. Flowing with the wind, pausing, I turned left rather than right. Where was it coming from? Hooked, I gladly wanted this. I felt hungry and desperate to satiate.
"Where are you going"? Something held on, I snapped away momentarily from the trace.
"I…" but I couldn't finish. Her brows were narrowed, she held tightly suspicious.
"Hold on" I said, desperately shaking myself free. She said something else but only her mouth was moving. The urge kept growing, restless for attention. Moving away from her hold, I took two timid steps forward.
"Elisa" came an urgent call. But I ignored it because this was more important.
"Go home" I called over my shoulder. Totally absorbed in the chase. Turning away, I faced the other direction without turning back.
It was coming from inside that building. A cast of silhouette shape, passing through glittering beads. I stepped chairs and tables were placed in a round circle. There was no one inside and the entire bar was empty. Inside the metallic smell was stronger. Passing through I walked to a single door. Pushing at the handle it cracked noisily leading into a stairway. Inhaling, I could almost taste it now at the tip of my tongue. It leads underground. Despite myself and the fear I felt, I didn't stop but continued into the dark hole. Till a single source of light flicked on. I shivered hearing faint sounds of strings. I lost control stumbling ahead, my mouth watering. I had no control for what happened next. Stepping out from the shadows, I saw people. When my presence became known, every eye turned to mine. I gasped, watching them. Their grace and beauty are striking and terrifying.
"Who ordered dinner?" a voice boomed. He was equally as impressive, chiseled jaw, fair skin and immaculately dressed in white and matching long sleeve dress shirt
How possible was it that someone could look this beautiful? All the energy was coming from them like eternal matter. I took a step back when he came closer, although everything in me wanted this. By instinct I was drawn to them.
"A little skinny" he said with a tsk.
*Mm… but you exquisite" backup against the wall, i wanted to run. But I couldn't find the courage, those words brought back the nightmare. He eyed me up and down , now inches away. Resting my back on the cold, I was triggered by the memory of that night. How desperate I was to live. I had put myself yet again in another compressing situation, standing before another attack. Biting down on my lips, I felt a surge of anger. It made my head spin and my veins like hot metal. I pushed forward when his arms touched mine, without thinking I grabbed into it holding on midair before throwing up with force. His body landed on the floor. Breathing in and out, seeing only red. A collective gasp broke out, I looked up at the crowd, the perfect mask split in half. Dangerously into stony features. I backed down watching them come close. Stepping on what seemed like broken glass, I looked down and my shades were on the ground broken in half. Hissing between my teeth, I had nowhere to run to, the
door was blocked. I was outnumbered by the growing circle, trapped.