Cross Bitten

Moving forward

Annie’s POV

As if the stranger is reading my thoughts he responds. “Hahaha, so terribly sorry, the name is Vincent, Vincent Stoll. I recognized you from the news, so much lovelier in person.”

I can’t help but let out a laugh, of course that’s how he knows me, I guess I was so shook up from all the events of the night I wasn’t thinking clearly. “Pleasure to meet you Vincent.” I reply with a smile.

“So are you out covering a story, or out for fun?” He says curiously while raising an eye brow. “Well I was going to look into this new allusive white bat that has showed up recently, but change of plans.”

Vincent looks at me thoughtfully for a moment before replying. “Hmm, yes now that you mention it I do recall hearing about the new species on the news, I didn’t realize they have moved in so close to town.”

He leans in close to me blowing his hot breath on my ear before whispering, “you better be careful, I heard they have a nasty bite.”

I think back to everything that I had just finished discussing and instinctively reach for my neck. “So I’ve heard, good thing I have become pretty good at watching my surroundings,” I respond with a wink.

He lets out a large guttural laugh,” HAHAHA but of course! I would expect nothing less from Bellvue’s best.”

Suddenly I start to feel a little uneasy, it’s probably just from the night I’ve had I think to myself. “Well it was a pleasure meeting you Vincent but I need to be on my way, reporting starts early.” I say with a half hearted smile.

“But of course, I wouldn’t want to keep you, enjoy your night and hopefully I will have the pleasure of crossing your path again sometime.”

I smile and nod before walking to my car and heading home.

When I pull up to the house I take a moment to think about everything which causes my head to spin,I start to rub my temples. Lidia is going to be pissed if I don’t have something. Maybe I should head back to the club and look for this big sky rat myself. I can take my hand held camera, all I need is one quick shot of it, that should please her. I nod my head in agreement with myself, I grab my bag, and head inside to get my camera.

When I get inside I realize i’m starving, it’s been a long stressful night so I decide to eat a quick bite. I scrounge through the fridge, and start going over my plan in my head. Why was this thing making me so nervous? It must be my fear of bats , I mean this thing can’t possibly be as horrible as they are making it out to be right? I finish eating and grab my things and head for the door.

As I turn the knob to head out of the door I hear a loud thud against the roof, like a large truck landed on it from the sky. I pause remembering what both Juan and Phil told me, a sudden shiver running down my spine.

*knock,knock,knock* someone is at the door, I go silent before opening the door slowly and peeking my head out, Olivia pushes past me. “Sorry Annie I have got to pee didn’t have time to find my keys.”

I see Juan just standing there with his hands in his pockets as if he needs an invite or something.“So uh what are you waiting for? Don’t just stand there come in.”

Juan smiles and steps inside closing the door behind him. “Is something wrong Annie you seem a bit bothered?”

I flop down on the couch and look at him. “Honestly I was about to head out, and see if I could maybe just capture that bat on my camera from my car, but right before you guys knocked I heard a loud thud on the roof, and after our conversation earlier it just made me a little jumpy.”

All of the sudden Olivia walks in the room and walks over to me and Juan.

“ Then we came home at the perfect time, no way in hell are you going looking for that thing right now! Especially by yourself, I know you are crazy but no way are you suicidal. Look you guys already agreed to meet up and look for it in the morning. Just go to bed please, don’t make me worry about you.”

I can see genuine concern in her eyes and hear the pleading in her voice. I look over to Juan who is nodding his head in approval.

” Ugh, fine I will take the wrath of my boss. Goodnight guys.”

“Goodnight” they both say with a smile. I head to my room and get undressed and put on my pajamas. “I am glad they talked me out of going, my bed is much more comfortable, besides tonight has been full of enough excitement.” I say to myself before residing myself to sleep.

My eyes get heavy and I start to drift into sleep when suddenly I hear a loud blood curdling screech coming from outside. What the hell is that? I sit up and look out of my window and see two glowing orbs. I rip off my blankets and walk across to my window. I open the curtains so I have a clearer view and across the street is the white bat.

“Huh, thanks for finding me.” I say aloud to myself, I’ll just grab my camera and get the shot. I turn to grab my camera, and realise I left it in the living room, if I go to get it I risk it flying away. Hmm think Annie...my phone!

I back up slowly never taking my eyes off of the bat, for fear it may leave. Suddenly I feel a sharp pain, I look down and realize I just ran into the corner of my nightstand. After the pain settles I continue my mission. I turn and grab my phone and head back for the window. I zoom in and take a picture of the bat but the window reflection of the flash ruins my shot, so I open the window and zoom in again.

As I’m about to take my photo I notice the bat begin to fly, I snap a picture as it flys slowly toward my window before landing just outside of it on the window sill. I stare at it sitting there and it looks at me, we continue our staring contest for what feels like several minutes when suddenly without realizing I start to lean forward almost in a trance.

*CRASH* my door flys open and there stands Olivia and Juan. I scream nearly jumping out of my skin.

“Sorry!! We didn’t mean to scare you, just wondering if you heard that!?!?”

“Of course I heard it, you guys scared the crap out of me, maybe next time just open the door like a normal person or hmm I don’t know knock first!”

Juan clears his throat to respond. “ to be fair knocking earlier also scared you so...”,

“oh shut up.” I reply grabbing the nearest pillow and throwing it his direction. “Anyways guys come look at what’s outside my window.”

They look at each other before turning to look at me and heading over.

“wow, you guys really need to fix that hole in your fence, it’s literally been like that since before I left.” Juan says with a laugh,

“oh please and mess up these beautiful manicured fingers I think not, sounds like a job for our number one guy.” Olivia responds with a laugh pushing on his shoulder.

“No guys not the fence, that!” I point to where the bat is, or was. What the heck where did it go? Both Olivia and Juan give me a confused look.

“The bat! It was outside my window I took pictures with my phone look.” I go to show them, but all that I have captured is an over exposed white flash photo, and a blurry picture of my window with a tiny red dot which could be an eye maybe?

“Annie I think we are all tired, I think you are under incredible stress to get this story, and I think we all need to go to bed and recharge.”

I look at Olivia and nod. “Ok, you are probably right. My minds probably playing tricks on me. I am going to bed I’ll see you guys in the morning.” They both nod and leave. I lay down wondering what just happened, maybe it was my imagination.

I wake up in the morning feeling much more refreshed. I reach down to look at my phone. Shoot three missed calls, and 15 messages from Lidia. I better call her!

“Hey Lidia sorry I missed you..yes I know..we went last night, we saw nothing. I asked people but no one had information for me..Wait what!?” Damn she heard about the girl.

“Well I never saw a thing, look I’ll head down to the club I am sure one of my insiders on the police force can fill me in and we will get to the bottom of this..I will call you soon.”

Thankfully that just bought me some time. Well I better get ready. I take a shower and get dressed Olivia is in the kitchen cooking breakfast when I walk in.

“Morning sunshine feel like some eggs and toast?”

I smile “of course, I am going to need all the energy I can get today, Lidia will literally kill me if I don’t get something for her.”

“Well take a seat then.” I sit down waiting for my breakfast when my phone begins to ring with a phone number I don’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Good morning is this a miss Annie Levay?”

“Uhm yes this is her, may I ask who this is?” “Of course, this is Cynthia from Vondervelg and Associates. We received your resume, Mr.Vondervelg was extremely impressed, he asked me personally to call you. He would like to have you in for an interview today.”

My eyes go wide, I never called them, how could they possibly have my resume? I look up at Olivia, I don’t know if I should thank her, or kick her right now.

“I would love to accept but it will take me at-least half a day to drive to you, and I have a job I need to wrap up here.”

“That won’t be a problem, we can send the company jet for you, can you be ready in an hour?”

I thought about it, this is a huge opportunity, but I still had a job to complete. “Can we make it 2 hours?” She goes quiet for a moment before responding

“Not a problem, we look forward to seeing you soon!” She pauses before adding “Feel free to bring someone with you, we don’t believe in traveling alone.” Then she hangs up.

I set my phone down before I look to Olivia. “Thanks for emailing.” Olivia lights up like a kid on Christmas morning,” I knew you would get an interview and I have no doubt you will get the job! When do you go!?”

“2 hours go get ready, they are sending a plane and told me to bring someone and you are the only choice.” I say with a smile.

“Uhm of course, let me call Kiley and tell her I need her to cover my shift tonight.”

“Perfect, be ready in 15 we have to head to the club first.” She nods and goes to get ready. I sip on my coffee, guess I better change into something a little nicer too, today’s going to be another long day.