There are monsters everywhere, Wren,my fathers voice echoes inside my head, a phantom whisper ensuring I stay alert at all times,it isn’t the monster under your bed or in your closet that you need to watch out for, it’s the ones that look like me and you that you should fear. It’s the ones that seem completely normal and yet they hide an evil in their eyes. That’s where you’ll find it, Wren, in their eyes. When you see that, make sure you run. Run as far and as fast as you can.
I didn’t want to run though. I wanted to show the world I could handle myself. I didn’t need bodyguards and security. My father saw it fit to train me to the absolute best of my ability, he honed my skill, taught me how to use my size and speed to my advantage, all because of his shady side business and whilst I maydisagreewith it, I wanted to prove I could handle myself.
I square my shoulders and narrow my eyes, a pretty face and a body made of sin wouldn’t be enough to deceive me. He can believe he’s found an easy target in me, but I’m prepared to prove him wrong.
Aurora saunters back with two glasses filled with a sparkling pink liquid laced with small pieces of cut strawberries and hops up onto the stool. Her brows draw down as she follows my eyes and slides my drink towards me.
“Well hello tall, dark, and handsome,” Rory sucks her teeth.
I force my eyes away and turn back to my friend, giving the guy my back which seems like a mistake. You never turn your back on a predator. I’m not prey though and if he chooses to strike, I’ll be ready.
“What’s this?” I ask, sliding my glass the final few inches towards me and wrap my lips around the straw, drawing from the glass.
Fizz and sugar hit my tongue, the drink is so sweet it makes my jaw ache. Rory just shrugs, “Last one and then we’re heading to Silver.”
I nod, taking another sip. The alcohol buzz from earlier has dissipated, leaving only awareness in its wake. I’m alert, ready, my senses homing in on my surroundings, listening for approaching footsteps. If there is one thing I have learned from all the self defense classes I have partaken in, it’s that the human instinct to danger is very rarely wrong, but as humans evolved we started to ignore that basic nature, choosing to blindly trust and naively believe we were all safe.
We drink our drinks and I act my part, laughing, talking, joking and it’s only when I’m halfway to finished, that the heat in my back finally subsides. I subtly glance behind me to find the stool at the bar vacant, the space where he was occupying completely empty.
I relax. Hopefully, he’s gone on to find some other helpless girl to terrorize.
I don’t know who he is, or what he could ever want with a girl like me but I sensed that danger and when I saw him, the man with eyes so pale they rivaled the moon, I could tell that his breed of brutality wasn’t one I’d easily survive.