Shadow Play

12

“Did you travel as a child then? You don’t seem old enough to have been traveling long on your own.” “Maybe I’m older than I look.” He teased with a quirk of his lips. “Have you had a chance to tour the sights of our fine city?” He didn’t answer the question, but I didn't push the issue. “Not really. I took this job very quickly so I haven’t had any time since arriving to sightsee or learn the area much. Plus, I’m enjoying the time I have with Ashley while she’s here, I can check out the city more once I’m on my own.” “Well, we can’t have a pretty girl like you wandering around all alone. Maybe I can show you around to some of my favorite places, starting this weekend. I’ll be at the Huntsman on Friday night, bring your friend and come out for some drinks with me and the fellas.” His warm expression and open demeanor were disarming. He appeared relaxed and genuine; although, under the table I could feel the bounce of his leg burning off nervous energy. I figured he was probably a bit more nervous than he’d like me to think, which was actually endearing, and I found myself leaning closer. With a small bite at my lower lip I replied, “I think that could be arranged,” and I met his gaze from under my lowered lids. I didn’t know who this s*x kitten was who had suddenly possessed me but man was he hot! My cheeks warmed and I played nervously with the remnants of my lunch. Ronan rose from his chair and laid his coat over his arm, rounding the table to my side he held his hand out for mine. Once I placed my hand in his, he brought it to his mouth for a soft kiss. “I have to get back, but I’ll be seeing you soon then, Rebecca.” And with that he strode out of the shop without a backward glance. OceanofPDF.com 6 By the time the museum closed, the skies had let up and though the earlier downpour had subsided, the misty air had a biting chill. My feet had long given up any hope of warmth, but despite the freezing, moist air, I was feeling optimistic and looking forward to telling Ashley about the dizzying events of my day. I was thinking it might be a wine and cheese for dinner type of night with plenty of talk about hot Irishmen. Reflecting on my lunch with Ronan as I walked down the dark sidewalk, I hadn’t noticed a large crack in the pavers and my heel lodged itself deep inside, rolling my ankle. I caught myself before I face-planted on the wet ground. I was fairly certain I hadn’t done any damage to my ankle besides some mild discomfort. However, I could tell in a glance that the heel of my pump had twisted loose. I took off the shoe and hobbled over to lean on a spot against the nearby wall where I could assess my shoe and determine whether it was salvageable. The awning I was under cast a heavy shadow and made it hard to see so I moved myself to a better spot. Just as I resituated myself a few feet down the wall beneath the lamplight, my eyes were drawn to a woman walking down the sidewalk. At first glance I would have said she was heading to an event or a night on the town. Her smooth, flowing blond hair was artfully styled and she wore a black cocktail dress clinging to her shapely figure. She strode with such a confident air that my shoeless state was forgotten and I was helpless against gawking at her as she drew closer. As I focused on the features of her face, my eyes seemed to play tricks on me. As if she were a holograph, the image of the woman became transparent and beneath that a much more monstrous figure materialized. She wore the image of beauty like a skin, projected to conceal the horror that was underneath. Her true skin was a sickly grey, covering a boney figure with filthy talon-like fingernails. Her black stringy hair hung limply down far enough that it covered her breasts and the rest of her naked form was bare. The most disturbing part of the image was her blood-red eyes adeptly scanning her surroundings. Like a rabbit knows to run from a wolf, I knew that this creature was deadly. But by the time I had seen through to the danger, it was too late to run. As she neared where I stood in the lamplight, just a matter of feet from me, my body locked in abject terror and I sucked in a barely audible gasp of air to my burning lungs. Instantly she whipped her head in my direction, eyes scouring the brick wall for signs of where the noise had come from. By some miracle, her eyes skated right over me like I wasn’t there. Her nose lifted and she sniffed the air, as if she were searching for a scent. I managed to stay absolutely silent, even as her mouth opened, allowing the dim light to glint off two sharp fangs. She stood only about a foot away, so close that I could smell her foul breath. Unable to locate any offending presence, she reluctantly continued on her way, still scanning the wall as she walked. I watched until she was long out of sight and even then, it took me what seemed like ages before my joints unlocked and I was able to step away from the wall. My shaking hand came down from my open mouth and my eyes darted around in fear that she had not been the only monster out in the night. I dropped my broken shoe to the ground, flung off the other, and sprinted for home.