approximately 2,730 words

THE AWAKENING ©

by Mercedes Pecunia

It was impossible for me to know exactly how long I had been asleep. The trickle of raindrops that preceded an oncoming storm drenched my face and abruptly woke me. I found myself lying on the cold unyielding pavement for some time before I was able to sit erect and understand that I was outdoors and not in my bed. My head ached and felt awfully heavy. I was still groggy and noticed that my hands were soiled and I was wearing a singular black sneaker. Its companion was several feet away. I tried to recall what had happened before this moment, but it alluded me. I remembered listening to the weather forecast on NY1. There had been a storm brewing, but it was still at least a day away. I could now focus more clearly; I was in the alley, the rear courtyard of the century old building in which I lived. There were numerous metal trash receptacles wildly dispersed, some had been overturned. I looked above me, up into the night sky. Countless stars were out tonight, dare I say, more than before. The clouds had dispersed momentarily, but I could see the remittent flashing of lightning in the distance and overheard the resounding of thunder. The air was so brisk, crisp, and the untamed wind carried the sweet smell of the spicy earthy foliage signaling the oncoming winter.

I heard the closely proximate leaves rustling and then the shrill shrieks of anticipation…rodents. I could feel them watching me sensing them sniff the air. I perceived their desire to move in on me and surround me, stealthily leaving the fallen leaves undisturbed protecting their location. They had homed in on my vulnerability, but I could feel the heat emanating from their foul little furry bodies. They could not hide from me. I attempted to stand, but before I fully conceived the thought, I was on my feet towering over the unsuspecting rats. I hissed at them. And again came the shrieks, much louder now. This was alarm. It preceded their hasty cowardly disappearance.

I smiled feeling exhilarated, youthful, invincible, rejuvenated. A formidable jolt of unrestrained energy exploded all over my body, nothing less than a pure rush of adrenalin. I wanted to walk for miles, explore, see everything there was to see, experience everything that could possibly be experienced, and putting on my discarded shoe, stepped out of the alley. There was light ahead. I walked towards it realizing my feet no longer sought the ground, but surprisingly managed to hover a few inches off the firmament quite effortlessly. I was overjoyed with my new ability. I had never mastered such a delicate gait before. My mind began to race. I was confused and the uneasiness was overpowering. Then, the question: what had happened to me? Everything about all of this was disturbing. I quickened my footing, faster and faster until everything around me had become a blur. I went on for a few additional minutes and as the rain began pouring down, I paused to gather my bearings. I was now in Battery Park City, almost five miles away from home. How had I managed to get here so quickly?

The Hudson was peaceful, glimmering with the rays of the platinum moon, and the soft unbroken waves danced upon the surface. A transparent foggy layer floated above the water challenging the beauty of the horizon. An aging homeless man chanted hypnotically in the distance begging for a donation, but there was no one around to ease his troubles. There was an distinctive odor about him, not the usual malodor from lack of bathing, but a certain personal aroma that was distinctively his own. Cars zoomed by on the Brooklyn Bridge while the speeding train rattled its foundation. The restaurants and stores near the small private pier were closed for the day, utter desolation all around me. The lighted skyscrapers stood remotely, silent sentinels for many decades. How I loved this neighborhood. It was beautiful, tranquil, expensive. It was where the rich lived. It was the place where the money was made, but at this moment, I longed for privacy and headed back towards my apartment consciously controlling every step. I needed time to think; to fit the pieces together, and as I continued traveling down the busy streets, I had to continuously keep slowing down to avoid passing the other pedestrians. I did not want to draw unnecessary attention to myself as my apprehensions intensified.

Finally, I reached the wide marble staircase that led to my apartment on the eighth floor. I impatiently waited for the antiquated elevator, but it did not arrive and raced up the steps, looking back periodically to ensure I was alone, but no one was behind me. I was just being paranoid again. I could not shake this dreaded feeling. I managed to climb up to my door in under a minute without losing my breath. I unlocked the door and entered. I ignored the light switch plopping myself down on the old familiarly worn brown leather easy chair in total silence. It was a restless night and the couple in the apartment across mine was still up. They were usually out on a Friday night, but I spotted them now through my window. I had become quite accustomed to peeping silently at them from behind the partially drawn curtains when they were home. Their window was halfway open tonight. I had an uninterrupted glimpse into their bedroom. They were making love again. I defiantly stood by the glass instead of concealing myself behind the cloth silently witnessing the beautiful young olive skinned woman holding onto the pane for stability. Her long thick black curly hair cascaded down each shoulder and onto her arms. She was glistening and her full round breasts bounced repeatedly as her lover pushed himself deeper into her from behind. They moved rhythmically for some time as I continued watching them. I could not help myself. I was completely enveloped in their uninhibited passionate display.

I opened my window carefully as to not disturb them sticking my head out as far as I could reach longing to listen to them, their moans, their ecstatic cries, and it was not until the window was completely opened that I discovered not only could I hear them clearly, but I could smell them, their pungency, and their sweetness…Oh, what a wonderful blessing! That scent intoxicated me, made me instinctually lick my lips in anticipation. I wanted to be near them, to run my fingers across that wonderfully appetizing wet skin and sample that deliciously salty dewy moisture. The urge was uncontrollable, and stronger it became until it entirely possessed me. Just the mere thought of it sent me into an arduous frenzy. And, in one swift leap from my window into the night sky, I soared until I reached the frame of their window. I was certain they had noticed my stride, but they remained unconcerned. I was completely soundless and clung to the brick wall rather comfortably. Overcome by my desire, I began reaching for them relenting when I fathomed how utterly impossible this was. I must have been dreaming. I looked below me and saw the deserted alleyway still able to facilely locate the rodents as they ran freely and speedily about. This was no dream; no, not an illusion. It was all too vivid. I was really here!

Back through my window I sprung pacing around in aimless circles on the living room floor. I did not know what to think anymore. Was I going mad? I turned around and spotted my own reflection in the large mirror in the hallway. As I drew closer, my attention was immediately drawn to my own eyes, which now seemed different. The receptors looking back at me were bright, glassy and deviously knowing. They were the type of eyes that kept many secrets and noticeably contrasted my previously innocent baby blues. They were darker; their coloring was much more intense, what I would call topaz. I touched the skin of what was now "my" face. It was soft and supple, but shockingly cold, stone-like and my rosy cheeks had faded into an anemic hued pallor. I continued admiring "my" countenance, "my" shape, the changes. My blonde hair had become darker and thicker, fuller, taking on subtle rusty tones. It was really quite appealing, but the odd puncture marks at the base of my neck troubled me. With each passing moment, I changed. I was becoming someone else, no, something else, but I still could not fully understand all of it.

I continued my examination smiling proudly to myself. This transformation did have its benefits. I disrobed to fully take in this metamorphoses. I was now stronger, more agile; my body had substantially improved. The outline of my muscles was much more defined. Even my breasts were firmer, perkier allowing for a brassiere to be an option, not a necessity. My narcissistic adoration endured finally channeling me to take notice of the set of small sharp fangs that were now imbedded at the base of the facial side of my swollen and increasingly painful gums. My former canines were barely visible, hidden below these rapidly growing protrusions. I sat down again for an instant, but could not remain seated for very long. I was still exhilarated. It was urgent that I recall the events that led to this. Pacing helped me think; this repetitious circling was now crucial to my sanity.

I stopped, remaining immobile for a few seconds, trying to decipher what could have possibly brought this on. I felt the tenderness once more. My teeth again! I walked over to inspect my reflection anew. The fangs had now taken over the space where my former teeth had been forcing them out entirely. I touched my right tooth. It was loose and I gently rattled it, but it dislodged collapsing into my hand. I detected the fleshy root still attached to it. Holding it closer, I gently squeezed the pulpy bulb as a generous drop of rich crimson clung to it. Just when the droplet was about to fall and before fully comprehending what I sought to do, I voraciously suckled it. It was liquid ecstasy. I was still apprehended by disbelief at the orgasmic surge I felt. It was obvious that indeed I was undergoing some kind of transformation, but into what and why?

I was tired and anxious now. This had been an extremely taxing eve, both emotionally and physically. I understood I had to sleep as I lay atop my bed, but simply being there perturbed me. I felt agitatingly unguarded. I was not safe here. I needed to find an adequate refuge. The varying hues of the dawning sun peered through the drapery. Oh, the sun, which once had been awesomely beautiful, a celestial body worthy of admiration, yet today, it had become menacing, a deadly foe. I heeded its warning feeling an overwhelmingly uncomfortable burning on my exposed arm. I knew then that I could not bear its light and dove into the open closet shielding myself with an old dusty tarp that had lain on the floor for months. This was sanctuary. I had returned to the womb, its comfort, the warmth, the safety!

Sleep overtook me rapidly, even before I realized it. The dreams came quickly, powerfully as dreams often do. I found myself walking down the metal steps leading me to the alley where I had first wakened. I held a trash bag in each hand filled with refuse. I had gotten lazy over time procrastinating throwing out the trash for almost a full week at a time until the rancid stench became too prominent for my taste. I looked at my wristwatch. It was 6:00 o' clock and the impending night was peacefully quiet for the City. There were no cars honking their horns, no one shouting in the background, everything was unusually still. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end; something was going to happen. My body warned me of danger, but I could not fathom why. This was my usual routine yet suspense abound. I walked hastily over to the metal cylinder, removing its round lid warily examining my surroundings, and deposited the large black plastic bags into it as speedily as I could. Rushing back to the steps that would lead me back into the building, I pictured myself for a second, momentarily feeling childishly silly. I was allowing inanimates, mere shadows to frighten me. Reassuring myself that nothing was wrong, I began making my back to the entranceway slowly, but extremely cautiously.

All of a sudden, someone grabbed my right shoulder with such force and unbelievable speed that I was dragged down the steps back into the alley in a matter of seconds. I tried to hold onto the railings on each side, but could not manage a firm grasp. My attacker was intimidatingly powerful. My fingers could not grab hold of the muted shapes in front of me. They merely slipped reaching into the emptiness of the air as the rusted metal continuously scathed my flesh. I looked down at my clenched shoulder and saw the large hand, discolored with age, grossly deformed. The overly grown claws held me tighter and an unbearably sharp pain shot down my arm extending down my back while the thick stained yellowing nails dug deeply into my tissue causing my muscles to involuntarily cramp and my heart to race. As he continued to pull me forward, I fought to run losing my left shoe. Within the darkness, I managed to angle my head allowing me to get a sufficient glance at my attacker still under the impression that it was human, perhaps there was still an opportunity to make an escape, but there was no trace of a man. This was a monster! The face was frozen in a horrific grimace revealing those deadly fangs as its devilish countenance was oozing some thick creamy off-white excretion from the rotting colorless flesh. The creature emanated the strong stench of death and pestilence while the small, black, beady eyes nervously searched, constantly scanning its environment for impending danger. It was a beastly unnatural giant, gruesome, forceful, cunning, ravenous and I was at its mercy.

We reached the bottom of the stairwell, and I was lifted off the ground so that my feet hung helplessly reaching for the floor. I felt its warm unpleasant breath behind me hoarsely whispering unintelligible words in some unknown language. I felt its abrasive tongue against my skin, tasting me. It rubbed its face into the back of my hair, down the back of my collar, inhaling deeply. It appeared delighted with my scent, with my being. I could hear the faint crackling seeping from deep within it. The breathing had become rapid and somewhat forced with anticipated excitement. It released my shoulder sliding its hand higher up on my dewy skin until it reached my neck. Its clasp became somewhat kinder, but I was still unable to break away entirely; more kicking, more writhing, to no avail. My heart was about to burst out of my chest. I wanted to scream, but only managed a weak whimper. My heart was pounding even faster. The lips of this thing parted kissing my neck lovingly, hungrily, and in that single embrace, I felt the sharp piercing of needles through my unwilling skin. It held me tighter, higher, gallantly like a trophy. I was now hanging limp, a mere rag doll in the impregnable clutch. I felt life escaping me, no longer able to keep my eyes focused, my eyelids surrendering to the oncoming sleep. This was too much for me. I welcomed the peace.

And with all the fleeting strength I had left, I forced my eyes open. I panted desperately. The perspiration raced down my clammy face. I was back in the wardrobe, but things were different now. I knew. I cognized what had happened. I was now fully aware of what I was to do. I understood what I had become. I sat there for a moment longer, taking a deep breath and then rose to face the world, but my world had transposed, unraveled. I had altered, for the first time acknowledging the unwavering thirst. This was my destiny. I was fearless, shrewd, marauding, an invincible predator, and the unquenchable thirst for blood summoned me!