Chapter 1
922 Words
I waited at the restaruant my husband told me to for hours now. I didn't want to go inside yet because, I always had a social anxiety when it cam to new places, plus my car was comfortable. I barely noticed the time when I was jamming to some neo soul music but as my my eyes glanced at the time, I realized it was very late, dark now when I arrived it was still daytime.
My phone screen had no missed calls or text messages. What was going on? I picked up my phone to text Bryant, my husband, but my phone died. Dammit! I forgot to charge it again. I looked around the parking lot, no cars were parked here except mines. Guess I'll have to see if I can call him from the restaruant. It took about 30 more mintues for me to pysch myself up to get out of the car, but after parking closer to the restaurant, I felt better about venturing inside.
He told me to meet him here at four.
It’s almost eight now according to my car clock and my car charging ports never worked so I can't use the car to charge my phone. Damn car!
I shift in my seat and rub my damp palms against my dress. Waiting this long has made the nervous knot in my stomach twist tighter and tighter.
I hate places like this.
New places. Strange people. Walking into somewhere alone and not knowing what to say. My chest always gets tight when I have to do that.
Bryant knows that.
Usually he stays with me when we go somewhere unfamiliar.
That’s why I waited.
Four hours.
Maybe something happened. Traffic. Work ran late. Maybe his phone died too. Maybe he’s already inside and just hasn’t seen me.
I look out at the parking lot again.
No one is here but me.
My flowy red anniversary dress blows in the March wind. It feels good on this early spring night, not too hot or cold, just right. I giggle a little feeling like goldie locks with my thoughts. Hopefully, there are no bears insides. I chuckle out loud. Of course there are no bears inside. I'm in the outskirts of Lunar City but definitely not near any forests. The scariest thing out here is rats. Ugh! Why did I have to think that? I look around for any furry vermins and sigh in relief as I take the final step to the door.
“Okay,” I whisper to myself.
“I’ll just ask to use the phone.”
People do that all the time. It’s not a big deal.
Just walk in.
Smile.
Ask politely.
Call Bryant.
Leave.
Simple.
My heart still beats faster when I open the car door.
The restaurant looks older when I get closer to it. The windows are tinted so dark I can barely see inside. The lights look dim too, like the place is open but not really busy.
I pause at the door.
Then I push it open.
A small bell rings overhead.
The sound makes me jump a little.
Inside, it’s quiet.
Too quiet.
There are tables and chairs. A bar along the wall. Decorations that look like they haven’t been changed in years.
But no people.
No customers.
No waiters.
No kitchen sounds.
Just silence.
I take a few careful steps inside, clutching my purse.
“Hello?” I call softly.
My voice echoes a little through the empty room.
“I’m sorry—um—hello?”
Still nothing.
I walk a little farther in, trying to steady my breathing.
“Excuse me,” I say again. “My phone died and I was wondering if I could—”
A woman’s voice speaks behind me.
“Well,” she says smoothly, “it’s about time you came inside.”
My entire body goes still.
I slowly turn around.
The woman standing near the door is beautiful in a way that makes me feel suddenly awkward and plain. She’s tall, with long black hair that falls over a deep red coat. Her almost black eyes are fixed on me like she’s been watching me for a long time.
Like she expected me.
“You had me worried,” she says calmly. “Four hours is a long time to sit in a car.”
My confusion grows.
“I—um—sorry,” I say. “Do you work here? I just needed to use a phone. I’m waiting for my husband and—”
She smiles.
But it isn’t a friendly smile.
It’s the kind of smile someone gives when they already know something you don’t.
“Oh,” she says softly.“I know exactly who you're waiting for.”
A chill creeps down my spine.
Something about the way she says it makes my stomach sink.
She steps closer to me.
“Don’t worry,” she continues gently.
“He’s not coming.”
I blink at her.
“What?” I take a step back. Something isn't right. No, scratch that. Nothing is right. This feels very wrong in every way. My brain is screaming run but I can't move.
Her head tilts slightly as she studies me.
For a moment her expression almost looks… pitying.
“Poor thing,” she murmurs.
Then her smile widens just enough for me to see them.
Fangs.
Sharp.
White.
“You really don’t know why you’re here,” she says quietly.
“Do you?”
- Writer
