Skin Writer

Another free cup. Barely had the words been scratched with the toothpick, then a shadow fell over twenty-year-old, Serenity Monaghan. “Another cup, Serenity? On the house.” She closed her fist around the toothpick, turned her wrist to the table and lifted her head, smiling at the waiter. “Thank you. That’s awfully nice of you.” “You’re a regular customer, It’s fine.” Ian; a young man no older than her; smiled and leaned forward. He filled her cup just shy of the brim and the coffee’s steam rose in lazy circles. He poured in creamer and smiled at her, as he wandered off. Snapping the toothpick, she sighed, discarding it onto the saucer and picked up the coffee. She shouldn’t do it, shouldn’t use her gift as flippantly as she did… but when she could get through life so much easier with it; why not? Sipping at the hot beverage, Serenity’s gaze shifted to the world outside the small coffee shop. The sky was ominously dark and brooding, throwing down its fury to the earth below. Sleeting rain and occasional hail, blanketed the city, sending people scurrying into doorways and small shops, just to escape the deluge. Designer skirts and expensive shoes were mere scraps of useless fabric; fancy hairstyles, ruined, as the rain soaked through to the very bone. There would be more than a few colds and snuffly noses this time tomorrow. Serenity smiled again; she was happy here, tucked away in a booth at the back of the little coffee shop. It was her spot. She had written so on her skin, two weeks earlier. Ian and a couple of the other waiters had always made sure her spot was free. A quick head-rush… Serenity lowered her cup and lifted her arm. Resting her elbow on the table, she watched as the bright pink lettering on her flesh, flared red. The burning sensation followed, as it always did and she closed her eyes, gritting her teeth against the nausea. There was always a price to pay, when using her gift—Pain. If it were a small request… something as simple as a free coffee, the pain would last only a few moments—the pain akin to that of a slap. Other requests could leave her bed ridden—or if she pushed too hard, they might even kill her. She hadn’t tested the threshold of her powers yet and she didn’t know if she wanted to. The burning left and her eyes opened. The writing was gone, her skin returning to the pale cream it’d been when she’d first picked up the toothpick. Sighing, she picked up the cup again and finished the coffee, before lifting herself and collecting her bag. Wandering through the shop, she smiled and waved goodbye to Ian. He was a geeky kind of cute guy and completely not her type, but she knew from experience, her writing could only get her so far. Her personality had to be charming too. Making her way to the front door, she opened it, allowing a gust of frigid air into the shop. Serenity quickly closed the door behind her as she stepped out onto the stoop of the shop and looked around. The street should have been a lot barer than it was. But still, people struggled against the storm, looking like drowned rats, trying to leave a sinking ship. Dashing forward into the freezing rain, Serenity raced across the street, dodging the cars which whizzed past and all but threw herself through the opening of another shop. The bell dinged loudly as the door swung in the wind and she grabbed hold of it. “Serenity, are you okay?” Shaking the droplets of water off her jacket, she looked up at the man standing behind the counter. “Yes Joe, I’m fine. How are you?” “A lot better than you. You’re looking a little wet.” “It is pouring down out there.” She smiled, turning, and closing the door to the delicatessen. She moved through the shop, picking up food on the way through. A loaf of bread, a hunk of cheese, some deli meat, and a small bottle of milk. Turning, she took the items back to Joe and the man rang them up. “It’s supposed to clear by tonight,” He replied, placing the items into a bag as Serenity handed over a fistful of change. “Are you okay to get these up the stairs?” Serenity laughed, taking the bag in her arms, and started to walk toward the back of the store. “Of course, I am, Joe. It’s only two flights.” Moving through the beaded curtains, she walked through the storeroom, past the chiller and to the flight of stairs at the back of the building. Joe had been letting her rent the small apartment upstairs for just over a month. Well… rent was a big word. More like she was borrowing it and he couldn’t remember how she had come to be there, or when the rent was due. So far, he hadn’t been too particular, and she’d not reminded him either way. He seemed to be happy to have her there and when she could, she’d help around the store for some food. Climbing the stairs, Serenity moved along the small corridor, past Joe’s own apartment and to hers. Letting herself in, she closed the door and looked around. Nothing had been moved or touched. Taking the food to the kitchenette, she deposited it into the small refrigerator. Leaving out the milk, she opened the bottle and drank from it, while she moved through the small apartment, stripping off her wet clothes as she went. Hanging the clothing over the shower rails, Serenity dressed in fluffy pajamas and returned to the living room with her bottle of milk. Sinking into the sofa, she adjusted herself so the springs wouldn’t dig in, tipped her head back and listened.   One thing Serenity had always picked up on and was attuned to, was the sound of the city. Dogs barking, kids playing in the yards behind the store, the sound of cars and trucks as they moved around. They were the sounds which reminded her, everything was normal. Everything was perfectly fine. It was when those normal noises stopped, she ran. Fifteen places in as many months. It was hard to throw down roots when her gift started wearing off on people. Serenity was an orphan. Discarded at the steps of a local brothel and bought up by the Madam. Serenity had been taught how weak men’s minds were and she had mastered the art of not only seduction, but deception, from an early age. Then her gift had materialized. She could remember the exact moment she realized what she could do. Thirteen. Sitting on the porch at the back of the brothel, waiting for one of her favorite girls to come and spend time with her, after servicing a John. She had picked up a stick and written on her thigh… Sing to me. She didn’t know why those words came to her… but within seconds, a pure, crisp voice floated from one of the rooms behind her. Serenity had followed the sound and found one of the other girls, sitting in the kitchen singing. When asked why she had started, the girl looked confused, then shrugged. “Because I felt compelled to.” Serenity left her and moved back outside… then the pain had come. It took her almost a week to try again, but when she did, she asked for a little more. Money. The madam did not know why Serenity deserved two hundred dollars, but she gave it up without question, a smile plastered on her face. That had been the start of Serenity’s journey. She hadn’t stayed in the brothel much longer after. Her gift had started to become more trouble than it was worth. People were questioning the madam’s gifts of money, clothing, and a better room. Of why a thirteen-year-old girl received so much, without lifting a finger around the brothel. She had only two options. Stay and stop. Run and keep it. She chose the latter…   ****   Serenity gasped awake, her heart thudding wildly in her chest. The sheet stuck to her clammy skin as it prickled with goose flesh. Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she scrambled to her feet and reached for the light switch. Click click click. “No, no, no…” Her stomach churned as icicles of fear stabbed into her. “f**k!” It had never been so strong—the sense of danger. She’d always been able to pick it. Sometimes, it was a chill, or invisible eyes on her… but this was—violent. Invading every fiber of her being with dread. Serenity shook, as another wave of fear raced through her and she fell to her knees, vomiting. Her dinner splashed on the floor, the sour scent lifting to her nose and she spat out the last of the foul liquid. Struggling to her feet, she staggered through the apartment and threw on whatever clothing she could find in the dark. An over-sized sweatshirt, ripped jeans. Forgoing her sneakers, she grabbed the bag near the front door, gripped the door’s handle and threw it open. Thudding down the hallway, away from the stairs, Serenity sagged against the window at the end, her fingers gripping the edge of the window frame and she started to lift it. The fire escape was out there… she wouldn’t have to go past Joe’s— “Serenity?” She turned; eyes widening at the sight of her landlord. Normally a heavy sleeper, the store owner was standing in the middle of the hallway, his pajamas rumpled. His hair was a nest of knots. Nothing like the groomed man she’d come to know over the last month.   But something about Joe standing in front of her felt... wrong. “It is okay, Joe. I’m just going out. Go back to bed.” She turned back to the window and lifted again. Halfway open, a scent of roses wafted over her and Joe’s voice floated to her ear. “Stop running, Serenity. Come join us…” Serenity spun on her heel and gasped at the man who was now only a few inches from her. Something shone… just under his skin. She could see every bone in his body; emitting an unnatural blue glow, which flared in his normal dark brown eyes. “Joe…?” “Come, Serenity. Come and join us. We know about your gift.” Serenity stepped back, her shoulder connecting with the frame of the barely open window. She turned to look at it, gauging the gap— “Come on. Skin Writer.” Her head slowly turned back to Joe—or what was possessing her landlord. She wasn’t an i***t. She knew of the things which haunted the night. How else could she explain the gift she’d been given, if not for the supernatural. Joe grinned and shot forward. Serenity squealed and fell backward. Legs flailing, her head cracked against the frame, as she tumbled back first, out the open window and onto the fire escape landing. Her bag dug into her spine and she groaned, fighting control of her own breath. Rolling to the side, Serenity climbed to her feet, and ran down the stairs; as Joe screamed from inside the building, unable to follow through the same small gap. Three stories of building were what kept her from the safety of the ground. Those three flights of stairs were agonizingly long, her footsteps loud on the metal. The ground loomed and as her bare feet hit the tarmac, pain thudded up her legs. Rain and sewage coated her skin, as she fell forward onto her hands and knees, her jeans soaking through with the fluid. Dry retching again, she lifted her head as her feet found purchase on the ground and she leapt forward. Serenity’s mind spun in circles as she tried to figure out where she was going to go now. She’d never been found before. She’d sometimes hear, in the dark circles she ventured into, that she’d just been missed by hunters. But this time—This time, she’d stayed too long. Become too comfortable. Speeding down the alley, she ran out onto the abandoned street and dashed across it, to the next alley. Hide. That’s all she needed to do. Find somewhere to lay low, until she could change her appearance. She’d cut and dye her blonde hair and take out her piercings, hell, she’d even start wearing dresses and learn to do make-up… all to not look like Serenity Monaghan anymore. Through another alley and out onto another street, Serenity ducked to the left, racing past the darkened shops. They weren’t open yet, and by the light tinge to the sky, it was just going four am. This would be a whole lot easier if there were people around. She’d be able to call out for help, someone surely would be able to help… “Serenity…” The voice seethed from behind. Head turning, the sight of the ambling Joe, running behind her in his pajamas, sent Serenity’s heart racing again. “f**k!” Her legs ached. Running barefoot across broken concrete, her legs thudded with pain. “Serenity…” Ducking to her right, she stumbled out onto the road and across it, to another alley and down it. She just had to make it to the other end. Surely Joe’s fat body couldn’t keep up for long. He’d get tired and then she’d be able to get away. “Serenity…” Her head turned for a moment. Joe was still behind her, knocking trash cans to the side, sending rats and cats scrambling. Serenity squealed as her knee connected with a trash can, sending her barreling over it. She rolled, coming to a stop on her back. Her knee ached and she groaned, scrambling to her hands and knees, gaze shifting back down the alley. Joe slowed his run, almost stopping in front of her and grinned again. “Serenity, we only want what’s best for you.” “Get away from me!” Serenity picked up the first thing which her hand secured and hurtled the tray of degraded fast food at Joe. It struck him in the chest, moldy burger and fries dropping to the ground, but it didn’t stop his slow advance. “Only the best, Serenity.” Scrambling away, keeping Joe in her sights, her back connected with a brick wall and Serenity looked up. Sheer brick. Glancing right to left, her stomach plummeted to her feet. She’d sent herself down a dead end. “f**k!” Looking back down, she scanned the alley, the trash around her, for something she could use as a weapon. If she could give herself a bit of time to get away… “We’ve been searching for you, Serenity.” There. The plastic chopstick glinted wetly with grime and old food, but it didn’t stop her from reaching for it. Brandishing it in front of her, she screamed at Joe, “Back off, or I’ll stab you in the f*****g eye!” Joe chuckled, the sound not his own. “No, you won’t, because you’re curious. Curious to what we can offer you. A new life. A perfect life…” Serenity gulped—then turned the chopstick against her skin, carving two words. Help me.   ****   Joe screamed. A high pitch squeal which bit into Serenity’s bones and made her ears ache. The chopstick dropped to the ground; the words still bright on her skin. She lifted her hands, shielding her face as Joe screamed again and threw himself at her. The inevitable impact of a larger body hitting hers, didn’t materialize and Serenity lowered her arms to the scene in front of her. Bulk. The figure between her and Joe was huge. Broad shouldered, encased in tight denim jeans and leather jacket; a large knife hung in their hand. “Iraziel. I thought, I sent your sorry ass back upstairs.” “Noah… so nice of you to crawl up from the basement.” Iraziel drawled, through Joe’s fat lips. “Step away from the Skin Writer.” The knife spun in Noah’s hand and his head shook, blond hair flashing in the dull lighting. “Not going to happen, feather-brain. We both know, Skin Writer’s, belong to the Horde.” Iraziel hissed, his stance lowering, and Serenity’s gaze snapped to Noah, as his mirrored it. “Come on, Iraziel. I don’t want to do this. Not right now. This place stinks, I want a cigarette and I’m tired as—” Iraziel screamed and launched at Noah, arms flailing. “f**k!” Noah lifted his hand, swiping at his attacker with the knife. Blood sprayed as Iraziel was swatted away with Noah’s other hand. The man’s bulk hit the brick wall above her, and he reached down, trying to grab at her. She squealed and scrambled to the side, skittering behind the over-turned bin. Serenity’s savior turned his head and looked back with bright brown eyes. “Serenity get your ass off the ground. Now!” Iraziel righted himself and turned. Blood bloomed from the cut in the pajamas and he tilted his head, hissing at her, “Serenity don’t listen to him. He wants to hurt you…” “Get up!” Noah grabbed her arm, dragging Serenity to her feet and pushed them back to the street. His frame was between her and Iraziel, the knife still raised. “Back down the alley.” “You’re not going to be able to hide her for long. She’s either going to run from you… or the Legion will come for her.” Serenity looked back to the man who’d chased her down the street. He hadn’t moved far, but the sinister grin to his face had widened. Iraziel tilted Joe’s head to the side, further than physically possible. Serenity stopped moving, staring as Iraziel lifted Joe’s hands and gripped the man’s head. “She will be ours.” SNAP! Serenity squealed and turned, sinking to her knees as Joe’s body crumpled to the ground, neck broken by his own hands. A whoosh of air and Noah muttered, “Well, f**k me dead. That was dramatic.” Serenity stared at the ground, watching as cockroaches skittered across the backs of her hands. At any other time, she would have shoved them away, but right now… she couldn’t even lift her own head. Joe had been so nice to her. She’d barely had to push him with her writing. Now he lay, in a dirty alley, with a broken neck. He’d died, because of her. “Come on, Serenity. We have to go, before more come.” Strong hands lifted her. Serenity’s head lolled to the side and her knees weakened, as the influx of power started to seed through her body. She sagged to the ground again and the man who had saved her, hissed. “Oh, for f**k sake.” Noah’s arms scooted under her thighs and around her back, lifting her to his broad chest. “You’re going to have to learn to channel the power, Serenity, or it’s going to kill you.” “f**k you.” “Yeah, real professional.” Noah drawled, taking them down the alley. “Luckily, I have a place nearby.” He stepped out into the street, his boots clomping on the pavement and turned them to the west. Serenity’s head tipped back, her body sagging in Noah’s embrace as he moved swiftly down the street and the man muttered. “You should have summoned us earlier.”