The Prey

Burn

Her stomach started to twist, the nerves of butterflies played inside as she walked into the elevator and watched Jason walk in and press the button to the lobby. The elevator ride felt like an eternity as they both stood in silence passing the floors. Becca’s heart started to throb harder, as she looked at Jason's backside while he leaned against the wall playing with his cell phone.

Becca closes her eyes, trying to calm her erratic pulse. His cologne smell lingered in the air bringing intoxicating memories into her mind. How his lips felt against her skin. His fingers brushed against her back. Becca drifted off as she focuses on her breathing.

Becca giggled as Jason stumbled beside her in the elevator. He pressed the button to the last floor and pulled Becca towards him catching her in a lip lock. She wraps her arms around his neck as he pushes her against the wall. Her dress shirt rose as she curled her leg around his thighs. His hands moved swift and softly up her thighs and squeezed her butt as he pushed himself between her legs. Becca let out a soft groan, feeling his hardness against his jeans. Feeling the elevator go into a full stop, Jason grabbed her hand and pulled Becca out of the elevator towards the stairs, leading them to the roof.

Climbing up the stairs Jason stopped near the exit to the roof top and turned to look at Becca. Her lips were swollen from the kissing, Becca’s hair crowned her beautiful face. He wants to keep kissing her, but held back and smiled at her questioning look. Like reading his mind, she smiled back and pushed through the door walking out onto the roof. It was close to the end of spring and the heat was starting to rise, summer is only a few days away. Becca stared at the stars as Jason walked passed her to a thick blanket that was laid out on the floor. Her eyes widened as he sat down and pulled a bottle of Champaign out of a mini cooler that was next to the blanket. Opened it and poured it into two cups.

"What's this for?" Becca sat next to Jason as he handed her the cup. Feeling her cheeks turn red, she already collected his thoughts.

"This is for our beginning, if anything happens between us, we will stay together to the end." Tapping their cups, they sipped the Champaign and stared at the stars.

Jason put his cup next to him and laid back on the blanket. "Lay down next to me." Jason rubbed Beccas arms and pulled her next to him. Becca leaned on her elbow, looked into his eyes as she bent close to kiss him.

"Together to the end? Sounds personal."

Jason bit his bottom lip as she smiled at him. He rubbed her stomach as he slowly moved up to her small breasts. Squeezed her n****e to hear her soft groans leave her throat. Becca unbuttoned her long blouse, removed it and put the black fabric under his head as he took his shirt off. Her bra came off instantly exposing her small round breasts near his lips. He played with her n*****s with his tongue as Becca rubbed herself against his groin. Jason started to breath hard as he lifted Becca off to remove his pants. Following his lead, removing her sandals, shorts and panties. Staring at his beautiful body, his muscles on his thighs and stomach stretched and moved with his slim body. He pulled Becca on top of him, and started to tease and trace his long hardened against her moist opening. Becca breathed hard as he entered inside of her. It's a lot but it feels so good. She bit her bottom lip as she moved on him, feeling every inch inside her. He pulled her closer to kiss her, trailing his lips on her jaw line and licked her neckline to her ear.

"It is personal."

Chapter 7

Getting off the elevator, Becca forgot that she was holding her breath. Fresh air I need it. Jason opened the lobby door and walked next to Becca as they left the building. I hope he didn't see my thoughts yet, and if he did, will he remember? Becca looked ahead of her, trying to close off the memory which happened a few months ago. It was so hard letting go, Becca tried to forget what they did and had. It's still there as if it happened yesterday. She did what she could to avoid Jason, now she's next to him, helping him get through the first few days as a vampire.

Walking towards the park, he checked his cell and put it back in the holder attached to his belt. Becca walked into the park and sat at a bench far away from the people, leaving them in a slight shadow near the trees. Jason's eyes started to wander around the playground, watching a couple of kids run around, playing tag. Taking in a deep breath, Jason's senses spiked 100%. The smell of sweat, leaves, dirt, deodorant, cologne, garlic breath, metal, lavender shampoo, sweet perfume, swallowed him up, giving Jason a headache. Rubbing his head, he slowly sat down watching the kids run around, smelling the sweat off of them. "Look at me."

The words shocked him as Jason looked around to where it was coming from. He looked at Becca, noticing that it didn't come from her, she was busy smiling watching the kids run towards the slide. "Why are you doing this to me?" Again catching Jason off guard, wondering who and where that voice was coming from. His eyes wandered in the park to find the source and landed on a teenage girl. Her long curly red hair covered most of her face, as she was staring at the teenage boy that was sitting a seat away from her. Impossible, she is clearly on the other side of this park. The girl moved her lips and was talking to the boy next to her. "Mandy, it's over. Leave me alone". The girls face was turning red, and tears started to fall down her cheeks. She stood up and walked away, tears falling on her grey t-shirt.

"It's emotional isn't it?"

Jason shook his head and looked at Becca. Her dark brown eyes stared into his, he could see her pulse jump as his eyes slowly went down her neck. Becca's soft lips slowly grinned as she watched his eyes slowly move back up to hers. Their eyes locked briefly, she looked away tearing the connection. Jason rubbed his face, still shocked on what he was witnessing, a teen break up.

"I... I, umm uh, how the hell?"

Becca looked at where Jason’s eyes were, and watched the young lady walk out of the park. "When you drink human blood, your senses heighten. I know that everything smells funny to you, but you’ll get used to it." Becca followed Jason’s glance again, and watched the young boy, get up, dust his blue baggy jeans and walked out of the park with his head down. Halfway out of the park, he pulls out his cell and punched in some numbers. "I did it, Mr. Thompson, I broke up with Mandy." Watching him breathe in he looked at the phone, pushed the end button and walked out of the park.

"He didn't want to end it with her. I could feel his emotions." Jason's eyes widened as he watched the young man cross the street, with his head down.

"There are a lot of things that you will hear, smell and feel that no one else can."

"That freakin sucks! That means I'm going to hear everyone's conversations? Hell no!"

"You won't, you will learn to control that on your own. Especially, the very strong odors that are here in this park alone. That is what I can't help you control. It's something that you will have to control on your own." Becca watched Jason rub his temple, absorbing the information.

A little girl was running past them, giggling her blonde hair hit her face as she continued looking back at the boy who was chasing after her. Not watching where she was running into, the little girl bumped into one of the park benches and fell on the ground. Her blonde hair flew in her face, as she grabbed her knees, her face started to turn bright red, as she held her breathe and let out a scream. Tears ran down her cheeks as she grabbed both of her knees tightly, trying to ease the pain away.

A dark heavy set woman, ran to the little girl, and picked her up. Sitting on the bench where the girl bumped into, the woman tried to remove the girls' hands from her knees. Jason's eyes flickered as a familiar smell, pulled his attention to the girls' knee, as some blood slowly oozed out from the scrape.

"Becca..." Jason's lips slightly trembled as the smell of blood filled his nostrils. He closed his eyes and was pushing the vision and smell of blood away from him. Becca stood up and kneeled in front of him. When Jason opened his eyes, his pupils were red, his nostrils flared from the smell. Becca grabbed his face to pull his eyes away from the little girl's bloody knees. His eyes widened as he felt his canine teeth cut through his lips.

"Look at me! Please focus on me! Jason, look at me, control yourself."

He started to breathe heavily, panting. His tongue flicked out, wanting to taste the sent that was seeping out of the little girls’ knee. "I can't, don't know how to!"

Becca looked into his eyes, pulling his vision away from the little girl. His red pupils focused on Becca’s dark brown eyes. She moved her fingers across his cheekbones, brushed his cheek with her knuckles. His eyes slowly went back to normal. He was in a trance, Becca finally calmed him down. His nostrils stopped flaring, and his eyes were back to normal. She continued to look into his eyes, as she brushed her fingertips across his lips. Taking in a sharp breath, she waited until she felt the little girl and her nanny leave the playground, the scent slowly disappearing.

"I miss this..."

Becca pulled her trance away, and stood up. Jason looked up, and slightly trembled. Goosebumps rose as he sucked in some air.

"s**t! Do you know what was going on in my mind while I was looking at that little girl?!" Jason shook his arms knocking off the chill going up his spine. Becca slowly nodded her head and looked back at the playground watching the kids play.

"Let's get out of here. I have to take you to a more private area to train you."

"How much do you need to train me?" Jason snorted, as he followed Becca out of the playground. "It's ridiculous." He continued to follow Becca up the hill and towards the river, past Jackson Park. Noticing where they were heading to, he stopped near the ramp leading towards the Ampha-Theater. "Uh, why are we heading back to the danger zone?"

Turning on her heels, Becca closed the distance between them. "This spot is better than other places. Fewer distractions and it's peaceful."

Jason's eyes widened from the thought of those disgusting creatures that almost ate them alive last night. Becca turned and continued to walk up the ramp towards the Ampha-Theater. Unwillingly he crossed the ramp and walked towards the steps. The sun hit the painted white walls of the stage as they walked down the steps towards it. Jason spotted a man sitting on the bench in the middle level. Drunk and dazed, probably doesn't know where he is. They walked towards the side of the stage and inside. Becca dusted off the concrete bench and sat down, patting the space next to her, he looked around observing the stage area. How much it has changed throughout the years. The Ampha-Theater was known as an abandoned landmark, where drug users hung out. Where teens from the 80's – 90's would cut school to mess around, was where the Ampha-Theater babies were made. Slowly sitting next to Becca, he quickly scanned the stage area. Shadows moved in the sunlight, making Jason edgy.

"Jason?"

His eyes slowly moved towards her, as he watched the smallest shadows move across her face. Shaking his head, Jason rubbed his eyes. "What's going on with me?"

"Your body is going through a huge transformation. It's now adjusting to little details that you've never have noticed before. When we are in the playground, your senses were at its peak. Earlier I gave you human blood, only human blood can make you stronger and will make you last longer than drinking animal or rodents' blood. When..."

Jason waved his hands at her, stopping Becca at her place. "Rodents blood?! Ewww! I really don't see myself drinking or eating rat. Gross!" Making faces, and gagging noises, Becca softly giggled and continued.

"I don't know if you would remember that last night before the chaos here, you fed off a female jogger."

Jason stopped making faces, and tries to recall last night, which was a bit hazy in his memory. He looked at Becca and shook his head. "Barely. All I remember was the taste of her, and her scent." Playing with his ring, he twirled it on his finger. "Should that bother me?"

Becca shook her head, "No. Being a vampire, you rarely remember who your first was. The memory of that persons scent will stay with you. It's basically random." Watching Jason play with his ring, she swallowed and continued. "From the way you fed off of her, and from the amount of blood you drank this morning, you seem to adjust pretty quickly to this."

Jason’s head jolted up and looked straight into her eyes, "I am not adjusting well to this at all. This is a freakin' nightmare to me!" Pushing off the seat, he walked away from the bench and stood in the shadows. "I don't want to outlive anyone." He shook his head and continued playing with his ring. "I... don't want to be here alone."

Becca stood up, as Jason threw his hand up to stop her. He slowly slipped the ring off his finger and tossed it to Becca. Catching it in midair, she watched Jason walk into the sunlight. Slowly, his skin started to smoke and ignite into flames, as the sun pierced into his flesh. A sound so horrifying pierced the sky as Becca ran towards Jason. His screams, blood curdling and painful tore into her ears. She grabbed his arm, and felt his flesh peel off. Becca grabbed his waste and threw him back into the shadows. His body crashed against the stage walls with a loud bump. Jumping on top of him, she rolled him on the floor to stop the flames. His flesh, smelled like burned meat, as she stopped the flames. Tears streamed down her cheeks, as her anger flared watching Jason hopelessly lay in her arms. His clothes were charred and burned, part of his handsome face had 3rd degree burns on it. His screams muffled into a silent hiss. Becca held onto him, tears leaked onto his face, as she cried over him.

"Why? Becs... Why?"

His voice was dry and raspy, her heart tugged as she continued crying over him. "Shhhh! Please focus on healing. I'm not leaving you. Until the end."

"What the hells, was all the commotion here!?"

Becca looked up to see a raggedy man hobbling towards them. Dirt smeared across his face, the smell of not taking a shower for a while and liquor reeked from his body. The man stopped near them, and squinted to see what she was holding. The clouds covered the sun, and the sky started to lose the brightness, evening is closing in. The man slowly walked towards them and raised a crooked finger towards Jason.

"What happened to that boy?"

Waving the man back, Becca motioned the man to stay away. "Please sir, go back to the bench and go back to sleep."

The man shook his head, "I will not, that boy smells like burnt hamburger."

Becca felt Jason’s body convulse and she held him tighter. "Please, leave us. He will be fine." Watching the man try to peek over her shoulder, Becca gently put Jason down, and stood up. The smell of vomit and alcohol got stronger, making Becca wince from the aroma.

"What's wrong wittha boy?"

"He's fine. Let him be." Becca looked into the drunk man's eyes, pulling his attention towards her. "Leave now. Your help is not needed. Turn around and go back to sleep"

The man rubbed his eyes and yawned. He suddenly became sleepy and turned around to get off the stage. Breathing in a sigh of relief, she turned back to tend to Jason. The spot she left him was empty. Becca, looked around the stage, ran towards the exit towards the back of the stage. He's gone, where the hell... A scream pierced the sky, the crash of two bodies hitting the benches. Becca turned around and saw Jason on top of the helpless man. Quickly, he pulled the man onto his feet, and yanked his head back exposing his throat. Becca flew down to help the man, when she felt her body gets tossed back towards the stage. Landing on her feet, she looked up and watched Jason tear the flesh off his throat. Blood curdling screams escaped his throat and quickly died as Jason feasted on him. The clouds darkened as the sun faded, while setting on the west side. Becca closed her eyes as Jason finished licking the dead man's throat. Dropping the dead body on the ground, Jason wiped the blood off his chin and walked towards her. His eyes were bloody, the burns on his face and the rest of his body were rapidly healing.

"Snap out of it. Snap out of it."

He walked closer to Becca, breathing hard and licking his lips. Becca opened her eyes and looked into his. "Calm yourself. Control it." Stopping short standing face to face with Becca, his face stretched with rage, blood continued dripping from his lips. Jasons eyes were distant, his lips opened baring his sharp fangs. "Calm, calm, breath. It's me." Hissing came out of his breath, Becca swallowed. Leaning towards Becca, the hissing continued then got lighter. Not moving from her position, she let Jason get closer to her, his nose touched her cheek and then inhaled. Taking in her scent, he exhaled while his nose slowly traveled down her neck. His breathing started to calm, and he rested his head on her shoulder. Becca wrapped her arms around him, and slowly exhaled.

"Why didn't you run?"

Blinking back tears, she held him tighter and watched the sun slowly set in the horizon.