The Prey

Metamorphism

Walking towards the field, Becca held onto Calica's softball bag. Her uniform still a bit dirty from the last game, Calica ran ahead to meet with the rest of her teammates, The Cobras, who were walking ahead. It was a beautiful and humid afternoon. A small breeze lightly moved the trees, a small indication that the hot summer is at its peak. John walked beside Becca as they entered the field, and watched Calica and his daughter Raven play fight. "Caly put on your cleats!" Becca yelled. Calica continued playing with Raven. Clearing her throat, Becca stared at her daughter. Get over here now and put on your cleats. Calica stopped mid wrestle and told Raven that she will be back, and ran towards her mother to grab the dirty black cleats.

"I hate it when you do that." Calica twisted her face, while she untied her sneakers.

"Well I wouldn't have done it if you've listened in the first place. You know I don't like repeating myself."

Calica let out a huge puff of air, while she changed into her cleats. Shaking her head Becca looked at the other team, one of the coaches look towards her direction and waved at her. Waving back, she smiled as John passed a frozen water bottle to Calica.

"Hey, it's Jason. He's doing our game." Calica waved at Jason as he walked towards the entrance of the field. He looked really stiff and out of it. His usual glow was replaced with pain.

"Wow dude. Had a rough night?" John looked up and down at Jason as he approached them. Jason pushed his sunglasses up further on his nose, and grumbled. He continued walking into the dug-out and sat down. "He looks horrible." John snarled at Jason. "Probably woke up on the wrong side of the bed without a girl next to him." Then John hooted with laughter, as he watched Jason sluggishly stand up and walk behind the plate.

Becca watched Jason, lazily call the managers up to have a brief meeting. She walked closer behind the gate towards home plate where she can see the whole game. This was always her favorite spot, just to watch the game and make fun of the calls that was made. Becca knows the rules of softball and how the game was played, most of the time she spent it explaining to parents why certain calls were made. Sometimes defending Jason. She looked up as the game started, Jason turned around and grabbed his mask, Becca drew in her breath. What she saw, scared her. His eyes were covered but the way he looked wasn’t what she was used to seeing. Oh my God. I hope that I'm just still hung over from the margaritas. She watched him pull the face mask over and start the game.

Tension rose, spiking Johns' senses to 100%. He walked towards Becca, and tapped her shoulder. Putting her fingers to her lips, knowing what he was going to ask and pointed at Jason. John nodded, let’s see how far he goes. If he makes it after the game I will take Calica and Raven home. Do you need back up?

Becca slowly shook her head. I will have to see. Jason looks hungry, but I could be wrong. I hope. Let's see what happens.

Watching the game, it seemed to be rushed. Little by little, Jason's body started to break down. Hunger pains starts to torment him. He was able to control it, but not enough. After the first game earlier, one of the parents from the pee wee softball teams, gave him two cheeseburgers. Hungrily he tried to eat the burgers, but he ended spitting it out. It had no taste to it. Maybe it was the way they made the burger. It's not that complicated to grill one. The smell of burnt meat made him nauseous. Deciding to drink a Pepsi, he started walking towards the next game which was two blocks away on the FDR drive. His stomach growled and grumbled, feeling a bit faint he sat down on the bench next to the tennis courts. Watching an old couple play tennis, he relaxed a bit. The grumbling stopped, wiping the sweat off his brow, Jason got up. A young woman jogged by tripped and fell in front of him. He walked towards her and helped her up.

"Thank you. That was really clumsy of me." The female jogger dusted herself off and tried to wipe the blood off her elbows. Jason's stomach clenched from the smell of fresh copper. The blood slowly oozed from her elbow, she huffed and decides to wipe off the blood from her elbow with her tank. Giving her a dirty look, he felt his stomach jump, from the sight of her doing that. Jason licked his lips, realizing that he was staring at the lady. He quickly looked away, and continued walking towards the next game.

Now it's the last inning, he was looking forward to go home and scarf down a raw pork chop that's in the refrigerator. His stomach continued to kick his ass. Gotta end this inning, feel like as if I'm going to fall on my face and die from hunger. Praying that the next batter would strike out, Jason did his best to work with it. The chanting and the screaming of players and parents, made the field move under him. Hearing the beat of his heart, he watched the player swing and miss. Thanking God, he gunned the kid out, and slowly walked to the side and watched both teams line up to congratulate each other on a good game. Jason picked up his mask and was ready to leave when he felt a rush of pain hit his chest. Not trying to make a scene, he walked towards the stands and sat down. The field spun in front of him, and sweat started to pour out of him. The sky was getting dark, he so badly want to get home ASAP.

Becca watched Jason, as he staggered towards the stands. John grabbed Calica's and Ravens' belongings and quickly got them changed. The girls were a bit confused, as Calica stood up and grabbed her bag, she tried to ask her mom what was going on until she saw the look on her mother's face, and understood. "Mom, it's in the bag if you need it." Calica went into her softball bag and tossed the wooden stick. Turning her back towards Jason she looked at the stick in her hand, squeezed it while it clicked and two sharp wooden points came out on both ends. Now a stake is held in her hand with Latin words etched all the way to the point. Becca squeezed it and it returned into its normal form. Looking at John and the girls, she nodded. Make sure everyone is gone. Calica nodded her head, grabbed onto Raven and hurriedly walked off the field. John walked out sending a hard rush of wind to push patrons, and players off the field. The feeling of the hard wind made everyone, move quickly off the field, leaving just Jason and Becca alone.

Becca slowly inhaled and turned back towards Jason. He's not there. Where did he go? Becca walked onto the outfield and searched the area. No sign of him, can't even find his scent. Becca's shirt flapped in the wind, as she walked slowly on the field. He's here, but where?

"So, looking for my toy?"

Becca turned towards the familiar voice. Hate ran through her veins knowing who she was going to be up against. Blue eyes flashed through her mind, as she slowly turned towards Jennifer. Her long auburn hair bellowed in the wind. Her tight torn jeans and black and red top, showed off her figure. Jennifer may look like model, which she must have been two centuries ago, but she kills for pleasure. Using her s*x, beauty and brains she is lethal to any man or woman she puts her claws on. The amount of demons and bullshit Jennifer has sent towards Becca's path were all nothing. Some that Jennifer tried to turn couldn't survive the transformation. Sadly, once Becca would tear their hearts out, break their necks or drive a stake through their hearts they would die instantly into a pile of ashes.

"What did you do?"

Jennifer laughed and licked her lips. Going into a crouching position, she purred like a hungry tiger. "Nothing, just took something that would most likely mean a lot to you."

Becca sized her up, no more bullshit, time to finish it all off before it gets worse. Jennifer, and Becca charged at each other, with her stake ready to pierce into Jennifer’s heart. This fight won't be easy, but I won't make it last long. Ready to swing, Becca felt her air get knocked out of her lungs, and her body getting tossed in the air, landing with a hard crash into the grass. Shocked, Becca turned onto her back to see what it was. Her eyes widened as she watched Jason land a few feet away from her, snarling and gnashing his teeth.

Oh Jesus! As Becca looked into his eyes and noticed that just staring into a black soul, Jason's pupils were dilated and covered the whites of his eyes. Jumping back onto her feet, she watched him lunge towards her. Dodging his tackle, Becca landed on her feet ready to attack. Becca focused on Jason trying to wake him up, and snap him out of this crazy trance. Realizing that she was in deep trouble, she ran towards Jason and he once again lunges towards her. She jumped high in the air, and spun around, kicking Jason on his side, sending him rolling onto his back.

"Please Jason! Look at me!" Becca screamed as Jason jumped back on his feet and punched her chest, sending Becca onto the floor. Trying to catch her breath, she felt Jason on top of her and pulled her hair. "Please, look at me!" Not hearing anything Jason pulled Becca to her feet and grabbed her neck. Cutting the air supply out of her, she couldn't let out a scream. I don't want to hurt you, please Jason look into your heart, find me there. Not acknowledging her, with all of her strength Becca kicked at his groin. Nothing.

"Had enough, Becca! I knew that you wouldn't do anything to hurt him." Jennifer snarled and spat at her. "Kill her." Feeling his grip tightened, Jason threw her to the ground. Her stake was too far from her reach since the first unexpected blow. Jason climbed on top of her and pinned her hands down on the sides, exposing her neck. He looked into her eyes and licked her neck feeling her pulse. s**t, do or die. Becca moved from his grasp, quickly moving under him and pulled herself up into a sitting position behind him, Becca jumped on Jason's back and wrapped her legs around his waist. Pulling himself up Jason tries to knock her off. Keeping her legs tight around his waist, she grabbed his head and his chin from behind. God, please forgive me. I don't want to do this. Trying to move his head away from her grip, Jason tries to bite her wrist and once again slammed her onto the floor. Keeping a tight grip on him, Becca finally pulls his head up and looked into his eyes. I'm so sorry. With a quick movement, she cracked his neck, hearing his spine snap, he dropped on top of her, his head on her chest.

Becca's hand rested on his back, while she brushed her other hand on his head. Her hand shook as she moved her hand down and touched his eyes then his nose, for any sign of life. Tears started to slide down her cheek, as she slowly sat up, and rocked Jason's body. Cradling his head, she slowly rolled him onto his back. SheShe looked into his blank eyes, now back to normal. She slowly traced his cheeks and his lips, tears fell on his face. His tan skin, becoming pale, but was still a bit warm to the touch. His dark blue uniform shirt, with the Umpire logo on it and his grey pants was badly stained with dirt.

"Awww."

Heat surged through Beccas body as she looked up to see Jennifer, watching a few feet away. Becca slowly stood up.

"You, fuckin b***h!"

"Oh, I didn't know that you were so freakin cold hearted that you would actually kill...."

Not letting Jennifer finish, Becca ran over and punched Jennifer in her mouth. Blood spurted out. Jennifer spit out more blood and started laughing. Licking the blood off her lips, she swung at Becca missing her face. Catching Jennifer's hand in midair, she hissed letting her fangs appear. "I will tear those fuckin fangs out."

"Not until I tear the flesh off your bones, slayer."

Pushing Becca against the fence, she snapped at her neck. Becca kicked and punched Jennifer, landing on the floor. Becca ran towards the wooden stake, tumbled over it and threw it at Jennifer. The stake looked like an arrow flying full speed at Jennifer's heart. Knocking down the stake she flew at Becca. Ready for her to land on top of her, Becca jumped in the air and kicked up connecting with her face, sending Jennifer to crash down beside her. Sprawled on the grass, Becca reached for Jennifer's neck, until she felt her whole body being held down by a powerful force. Trying to get up, the feeling of a weight was holding her down preventing her to move. Looking next to her where Jennifer lay and noticing she was also being held down by an invisible force.

"Enough! Both of you!"

A foggy mist appeared, and a handsome man walked out of it. His light brown hair and green eyes sparkled as he walked towards the women. Looking down at them the muscles on his chest moved. His green eyes were intense, trying to look through Becca's mind.

"You know that doesn't work on me Sean." Becca said with distaste. He snickered as he walked away from the women and looked down at Jason's dead body. Becca sniffed, and held her breath as Sean reach down and touched Jason's face. Looking content, he turned on his heels and walked towards his sister, releasing her from the spell. Jennifer got up quickly and hissed at Becca as she stood next to her brother.

"Let me end it for her, so she can be with her boyfriend."

Sean pulled Jennifer's hair, "No, he will be waking up soon. And we need Becca alive and well for him." Trying to pull away from his grip, he tightened it, making Jennifer screech in pain. When she finally stopped hissing at her brother, he let her go. Sean looked away from his sister and stared down at Becca. His smile was beautiful. "You killed him, now it's on your hands."

"What?"

He walked towards Jason again, and looked down at him. He signaled at Jennifer to join him. Becca couldn't move, wanting to crawl over to them and tear them limb from limb, she watched Sean pull something out of his pocket and dropped it on Jason's chest. It glinted in the field lights. Feeling her body start to move, little by little and finally gaining strength, Becca stood up and went for her stake. When she looked up, they vanished.

Breathing slowly and looking around, her senses couldn't detect them, too far away to chase after them. Becca walked slowly towards Jason's body. Oh man, what have I done? Stopping, she sat down next to him, to watch his transformation. Jason's skin was pale, his neck was a bit deformed from when she cracked it. A gut wrenching feeling passed though Becca, swallowing hard, she looked behind his ear, noticing a wound. Looks old, healed already. Why you? Shaking, she rubbed her arms and legs. Her black capris were dirty and have small patches of grass on it. A shiny object caught her eyes, smoothing his uniform shirt her finger caught hold of a gold ring, studded were lapis lazuli around the band. Deciding not to put it on his finger, she placed it on her thumb. I hope you don't become one of the night crawlers.

Night crawlers were humans who were close to becoming Vampires, but somehow their bodies reject the transformation. Instead of turning into blood sucking, carnivores, they become grotesque monsters, and their prey is not only humans, but vampires.

Becca looked at Jason's face, and watched his neck straighten, going back into place. Here goes the healing process. This is going to take a while. How am I going to explain to Jason that he can't live the same way as before? Questions and very few answers came into mind. His skin started to color a little, still too pale. She watched as his muscles in his arms, neck and chest expand. Becca squeezed her stake, and was ready to end his life, when his chest started to rise. He started breathing like a normal being. Letting out a sigh of relief that Jason didn't turn into a night crawler. Becca relaxed. He's still healing. Looking around, she put her stake down next to him and lay beside him.