Core Collectors

First Date

Maya refused to call Luke for three days. She knew this would leave him wanting more and was the average wait she often used for her victims. She had watched him from afar in that time and had no longer caught the bus at the times she knew he did. It was Saturday afternoon when she finally picked up the phone and dialled the number he had given her.

“Hi, is that Luke?”

“Milly? Hi how are you? Thanks for calling.” The excitement was obvious in his voice.

“I’m doing great. Was wondering if you fancied going for that meal?” Maya began to wonder if she sounded desperate.

“Brilliant yeah. How about a meal this evening?”

They decided to meet at a restaurant close to Maya’s abode. Maya regimentally put her make up on and picked a simple black dress with a silver chain wound around the middle. She was purposefully ten minutes late when she finally left her small flat and walked slowly to the restaurant.  Her heart began to pump as she realized Luke was not standing waiting for her like they agreed. Surely he had not stood her up? She had never been stood up before.

The time ticked by and people walked past looking at the strange woman standing alone outside of the romantic Italian restaurant.

Her patience ran thin and she was just about to leave when a whistle stopped her. She turned to see Luke heading towards her grinning. Maya smiled forcing back the scowl she had been wearing so well.

“Is it customary for you to leave your dates waiting?” Maya laughed lightly.

“Only the very beautiful ones.” He replied confidently letting his eyes stray up and down her body.

Maya blushed and slipped past him as he held the door for her. She noted the slight hint of aftershave as she moved close to him. It was musky and just what she liked.

Luke led her to a table in the corner of the room that was lit only by candles and insisted on pulling out her chair for her.  A waiter arrived almost immediately handing them menus.

“Is there anything in particular you would like to drink?” Luke asked. Good he wasn’t going to order for her. She hated that.

“I will have an orange juice.” Maya never ordered alcohol it often interfered with her judgments. She waited for him to try and press her into a glass of wine which was a usual occurrence.

“Two orange juices please.” Luke smiled cheerfully opening his menu.

Maya started. He doesn’t want to get me drunk and take advantage of my feebleness?

“You don’t drink?” She questioned.

“No I feel it interferes with my judgments.” He answered grinning.

Maya smiled back and began to watch him carefully. He was different somehow.

“So Maya tell me about yourself?” It felt like she was in a job interview. She had rehearsed her answers well though.

“Well I originally grew up in Eastbourne but moved to Brighton about a year ago.” She couldn’t continue with the rest of her story as he was staring at her so intently. His eyes twinkled in the candlelight and his smile seemed fake and mischievous.

“Forgive me I didn’t mean to stare it’s just you have the most amazing features. They become highlighted when you talk.”

Maya felt fluttering in her stomach. He had a strange hold on her like he could say anything and she would just agree. She felt uncomfortable and squirmed a little in her seat. Perhaps she should leave this one? He seemed trickier than usual and she didn’t trust her reactions around him.

“I have to go.” The words had slipped out before she could analyse them properly.

Luke looked a little shocked and disappointed.

“Why? Is it something I said? I was born with my foot in my mouth please stay I am completely intrigued by you.”

The fluttering started again and Maya began to feel her face heat up.

“No I just remembered…I err….mmm..left my iron on.” It was the only excuse that came to her mind and she stammered it out as she leapt from her seat and headed to the exit.

The fresh air hit her and she walked quickly down the street hoping he wasn’t following her. She was about to reach home when she heard running footsteps behind her. A hand touched her arm and she shivered.

“Milly stop. Just explain to me what I have done? I honestly can’t believe your iron story.” He was still smiling and breathing heavily.

“I can’t do this. I’m sorry.” Maya replied looking anywhere but his eyes.

“Why?”

“I have recently got out of a bad relationship and am not ready for this.” She lied trying to break free from his grip.

He let go of her arm and nodded. Maya smiled weakly and he turned slowly walking down the street.

Maya breathed in and stood watching him leave it was only when he turned the corner that she let herself inside.

                                                             **********************************

It was with a heavy heart that Maya began to walk through the moonlit wood for the next meeting. She was dreading the reaction. She had only managed to capture three cores. Regina was not going to be happy.

She reached the clearing later than the others and skulked into her place not wanting to meet anyone else’s eye dropping a few twigs on the fire as it raged.

“On this day we gather to communicate with his highness and bring him our offerings.” Regina cried.

The voice emerged.

“Show me your offerings.” He shouted abruptly.

The figures began to step forward one by one. Maya trembled when it was finally her turn.

“I have three my lord.” Maya whispered as she placed down her jar.

Maya waited for the whispers but they didn’t come the silence was deathly. It was a few minutes before the voice spoke.

“I am gravely disappointed. Next.”

The truth of the matter was that Maya had been unable to concentrate on her work after her encounter with Luke. Although it had only been a fleeting encounter he seemed to be on her mind constantly and distracted her at every turn.

The next figure stepped forward eagerly pronouncing they had five and Maya began to wish the ground would swallow her. Now she knew how Dahlia had felt. She waited patiently for her to step forward, but she didn’t appear.

“That is eighty one. You have not reached your target. Someone will have to be punished. Since Dahlia is no longer with us Maya step forward.”

Maya felt her heart beating quickly. Not reaching the target had only happened once in her time and the person called evaporated in a dark cloud of smoke. This was it she thought as she stepped towards the fire.

“My lord. There is one more person that would like to lay down their offering.” Regina spoke calmly...

“Who?” The voice spat angrily.

“Our new recruit. My nephew, Finley”

“Fine let him bring his offering but as he is only a recruit I doubt he will make up the amount.”

A figure behind Regina stepped forward and the light hit their face showing them for the first time. Maya tensed she knew those eyes.

“I have captured ten my lord.” Finley spoke confidently making no eye contact with Maya.

“Step back Maya you are saved this time. I am impressed. For your first meeting as well! I will be watching you Finley. Now think what you desire and the pact will be complete.”

Maya stepped back and watched as Finley stood silently thinking. He closed his eyes and glanced at Maya as he opened them again a few moments later.

“Well Regina it seems you are no longer of use to me and this will be your last meeting.” The voice boomed. A bag appeared in front of Regina’s feet and she bent down slowly with a deflated expression appearing on her face.

“That should help in your retirement. I wish you well.” The fire flared and then disappeared quickly.

Regina clutched the bag tentatively feeling as though her world had ended. The cult was all she knew and she was devastated. She forced back the tears as the members bombarded her wishing her the best. Maya stood waiting and looking at Finley as he stared directly back at her.

“It’s nice to see you again Milly.” Finley announced sarcastically.

“And you Luke.” Maya batted back.

Regina swept towards Maya and wrapped her up in an embrace.

“I will stay in contact Maya. Today was a minor setback for you. I have been there myself and I know you will improve.”

Maya merely nodded, she really wasn’t in the mood for one of Regina’s heart to hearts. She quickly wished Regina all the best and headed out of the clearing.

Finley appeared next to her a few moments later. She felt his breath against her ear and her whole body shivered in response.

“I didn’t know you were part of the gang Milly.” He whispered seductively.

“Well I’m just full of surprises.” Maya answered stepping over a branch and positioning herself at a safe distance from him.

“Aren’t you just. Well to be honest I am just waiting for your thanks. I did just save your life back there.”

Maya couldn’t get over his cocky and arrogant demeanour. She suddenly felt an urge to kick him, but withdrew and began to plan in her head how she would beat him at the next meeting.

“Fair enough I will wait. Perhaps you will have to thank me again anyway.” He chuckled to himself.

“You were trying to make me your victim weren’t you? I think that makes us pretty much even!” Maya burst out feeling her blood boil.

“Hang on a minute. I was trying to make you a victim? You tried to seduce me. All of that oh I’m Milly a sweet and innocent girl looking for a big strong man to protect me.” He imitated her voice and Maya forced back a smile.

“Ok so the whole my mother’s name is Milly wasn’t a line?” Maya revoked at him imitating his deep voice.

“No my mother’s name really is Milly.” He answered seriously. Maya glanced at him and he winked at her.

Maya could see her car up ahead and exhaled deeply.

“Look I could spend all night talking to you about who tried to seduce who but I have more important things to be doing with my time.” Maya muttered reaching for her car keys.

“Ok little Milly we can discuss it another time. I have other women to seduce anyway.” He joked walking to his own car.

Maya climbed into her car and breathed deeply trying to stop the anger from building. As she turned on the ignition she looked up to see Finley had parked directly in front of her blocking her way out. She scowled at him and he grinned back, blowing her a kiss as he drove off.

She thought about all the ways she could disembowel him as she drove home.

                                                               *******************************

 Maya didn’t sleep well that night. She found herself lying in bed thinking about how she could improve her performance. She really wanted to beat him at the next meeting and he had given her the fuel she needed to show what she was made of. It was around three in the morning when it suddenly hit her. Why didn’t she try internet dating? It would be so much easier and a lot less effort although it might take her a little longer to get to know her prey. She dived to her computer and began to traipse through all of the sites trying to find the busiest one. One in particular stood out for her and she signed up immediately using the best picture she had and continuing with the Milly theme. She sat back waiting for an email. She was about to contemplate making a coffee when a message popped up on her screen.

Hi Milly,

I’m new to this. How long have you been on this site? Any success?

TallDarkAndHandsome1

Maya clicked on his profile to study his interests and learn more about him. Suspiciously there was no picture. She hesitated. This could mean one of two things. 1. He wasn’t the dark and mysterious 32 year old he made out and was in fact an old man trying to recapture his youth. 2. He was not amazingly attractive. Maya realized if it were either of these options it would still be an easy capture so she typed a quick response.

Hi TallDarkAndHandsome1

I’m new to this also. Have had a few interested men (she lied) but have not found anyone I would consider dating as yet. How about you?

Milly

Maya made a cup of coffee and before she had sat down again there was a reply.

Same really. What are you wearing?

Maya cringed. Replied back clothes and contemplated deleting her account. It was as she was hovering over the delete button that he replied again and made her start.

Clothes as in your black gown because I think you look really sexy in that?

It didn’t take her long to realize who it was and she felt a massive urge to hurl something at her computer screen. She took two long deep breaths and calmly continued.

It’s a little creepy you seem to be getting a fix out of stalking me Finley. If you don’t mind I am busy fighting the men off on this site that want to date me and I am presuming you are busy yourself trying to fend off the older women.

Regards Maya.

She smiled to herself and hit reply. Well it wasn’t a complete lie. She knew the next time she logged on there would be a flood of emails for her. She calmly turned off her computer and headed back to bed suddenly feeling exhausted.

It was around nine in the morning when Maya sleepily awoke and headed back to the computer. She visualized logging on and having ten or twelve messages from potential victims.

There weren’t ten or twelve. There were three. At least none of them were from Finley she consoled herself and began examining the profiles of the people that had mailed her. One of the emails was an invite to a social dating evening which she knew would be a great way of meeting new victims if not a little different from what she was used to. She clicked attending to it and typed a quick reply to the others feeling satisfied that they weren’t potential murderers.

She jumped in the shower keen to get to work and made sure she looked immaculate before leaving the house. Her day started at a café a few streets away. She would always try to visit a different café every two weeks or so to diminish any suspicion from people. She ordered a coffee and sat down surveying the scene before her.  A man sat by the window was eating a bacon sandwich and reading a newspaper. Maya glanced at his hands and noticed a shiny wedding ring. That scrapped him out. As a rule she never went for attached people.

She sighed and glanced over to the other window a teenage couple sat together sharing an in joke and feeding croissant to each other.

Maya felt herself watching them for some reason she couldn’t help herself.

She lamented the way he kissed her free hand and held onto it tightly. She noted the way she laughed happily and listened intently to every word he said. Neither of them had been captured. She began to long for it like it was a gift that everyone was receiving apart from her. Like it was the answer to all of life’s problems.

She forced herself to look away and pushed the thoughts deep down inside her by taking a big mouthful of bitter coffee.

Glancing around once more she noticed a man walk in. He was probably in his late twenties she guessed and looked like he had just been for a run. She waited for him to order and sit down a few tables to her left.

She slowly picked up her coffee and made a bee line for him clocking the sugar bottle on his table.

“Can I borrow some sugar?” She asked fluttering her eyelids slightly.

“I don’t know if you can borrow it but I’m sure likely to let you have some.” He replied looking up with a smirk. Wow she thought just what she needed another joker in her life right now. She forced a fake smile and found herself slipping in a vacant seat opposite him.

“Do you live locally?” She probed surveying him intently.

“No I’m just passing through. Having a look at the sights really. How about you?”

“I live locally. What kind of sights are you expecting to see?” She smiled flirtatiously.

She didn’t hear his reply. The door swung open and Finley stood there frowning at her. She was shocked to see him and looked about trying to find the quickest exit. What was he doing here? It was pretty creepy.

“There you are. I leave you for two seconds and you’re already talking to another man.” He spoke loudly walking over to the table looking like a bull in a china shop.