Double

The Meeting

With fall upon us, I decide to take a drive in the country wanting to see all the beautiful fall colors. As I load my small cooler into the truck, and my camera to take photos of the trees,I hear my cell phone and instantly know it's Logan, I smile once I see his text. I know he's missing me as much as I'm missing him. I hate when he has to do these business trips so far from home, but I also know that's being the wife of a doctor.

"See you tomorrow night, Logan, and I love you too," I text him back.

"Ok, so now our little textfest is over, it's off to the country I go," I chuckle to myself.

"Where shall I go to first? Oh, to than nice little country store past Good-Will."

It's nearly four when I finally get here. I look to my right and see a rather tall, slender, and good-looking man about to enter the sore. His dark brown eyes glance down at me as he grabs the door knob. I, all of a sudden, get a shiver down my spine. His eye never looking away from mine. He gently opens the door and for some reason, my feet become paralyzed. Several seconds go by with us just standing here staring at each other. At some point, I could swear he tries to inhale me, or my scent.

"You smell so sweet, madam," his deep, alluring voice echoes.

"Umm, yeah ok, thank you," I reply as I quickly make my way in the store hoping against all hope he changes his mind and leaves.

"You're new in town, aren't you sweet lady?" His voice asks from behind.

"Yes, I just moved here about a week ago," I bellow.

"I knew you were new to town, I haven't smelled your delicious scent before, but now I have your scent and let me assure, I'm looking forward to seeing you again," he insists. I quickly turn to face him and to scold him, but he is no where to be seen. My eyes roam the entire store thinking I will eventually see him somewhere in her, but it's like he just vanished into thin air.

"Hello, madam, can I help you find something?" The older gentlemen asks me. I look up at him with a confuse look in my eyes.

"that gut that was standing behind me, do you know who he is?" I look up thinking he will answer me, but all I see is complete fear.

"Sir, are you alright?"

"My apologies, madam, but I'm afraid you're going to have to leave. I need to close the store early."

"What? But I drove over an hour to get here. I would like to look at that big cherry wood dining table, and I would like to purchase some of your homemade blackberry jam, and your homemade bread."

"Sorry, madam, I need to lock up the store," he insist while gently pushing me out the door.

"What the hell just happened? And why did he look scared to death?" I ask as I I hear the lock on the store door.

"What has him so spooked? Damn it, I drove all this way, not it's just a big fat waste of my time not to mention the gas I used driving here for nothing," I snap. As I open the truck door, I look across the street and see Bonnie's diner.

"Well at least I can go to the diner and have some dinner."

Once I park the car, I finally notice this town isn't very active. I don't see one single person outside. All the houses and some businesses seem to be locked up, not one single door, or window is open. I see some toys and swing in some of the yards, but not one sing adult out kid is out.

"My luck, I just stepped into the twilight zone," I hear a chuckle behind me.

"Hello again, pretty lady."

"Oh god, you, I thought you left, and how did you disappear so fast?" He ignores my question and opens the diner door.

"Ladies first," he simply says. I walk up to him, his eyes once again glance down to meet mine.

"Who are you? My soft, hesitant voice asks him.

"You may call me, Michael, Shelley."

"Michael, and wait, how do you know my name?" His hand comes up causing me to flinch. His long, thin fingers lifts my necklace up.

"Oh, my name necklace," I sigh. His eyes are now staring at my neck.

"Michael, are you alright?" I ask and feel his fingers pressed against my neck.

"I can feel it flowing through your veins, and I can smell your sweet, intoxicating red juice."

"What? My sweet red juice? What the hell are you talking about, Michael?" I snap. He steps back and I could swear I hear a low, soft growl.

"Michael, what is the matter? Did you just growl at me?"

"I can't be here with you, Shell," he turns and runs into the falling darkness."

"What the hell is he? I ask as I touch the spot on my neck where his fingers were.

"What the hell, did his nails scratch my neck?"