| Journals Of Darkness Copyright(c)2002M.A.Anderson January 15th As I threaded my way through the mingling crowd crammed into the small area near the bar of the night club, I spotted him. He was standing in a shadowed corner observing everyone. Tall, slim and incredibly handsome, with shoulder-length, jet black hair and pale, smooth skin. He was wearing a calf-length, black leather jacket, black pants and black turtle-neck sweater. His appearance was charismatic. I considered moving closer, contemplating whether or not I should attempt to speak to him, but I quickly came to the comclusion that I should keep my distance as I had done on several other occasions. He had a drink in his hand, although he did not, at any time, take a mouthful. I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. During the course of the evening, a number of attractive young women approached him to ask if he would like to dance, but he declined on every occasion, lifting each one�s outstretched hand and kissing it in a chivalrous manner, then watching them walk away. What possessed a man as attractive as he to decline the attention of beautiful women? Maybe something more sinister than anyone could possibly imagine. At 3 am he decided to leave. He eased his way through the crowd and made his way toward the exit. I allowed a few seconds to lapse before following the same path. As I emerged into the cool night air, an icy chill spread through my body. Should I be doing this alone? I asked myself. I shook the question from my mind and followed in his direction.The night was dark and cloudy. It had been raining earlier in the evening and the sky was engulfed with heavy, charcoal grey clouds. I pulled my collar up around my face and stuffed my hands deeply into the pockets of my jacket. I needed to keep warm if I was to be out until the sun came up. I remained at a safe distance...although I suspected he knew I was not far behind him. He walked sinuously along the footpath, his jacket flapping behind him, and headed toward the old mill. As I moved closer my heart lurched in my chest. He had vanished from my view and for some reason I hadn�t realised it. I scanned the area around me nervously. How could I have been so foolish as to let him slip out of my sight? I slid between the chained gates and cautiously walked through the compound toward the abandoned building. The mill was extensive. It had once been the main source of employment in the town, but had succumbed to cheaper timber imports late in the seventies and eventually had to close its doors. As I walked across the compound toward the massive wooden door, I surveyed the entire area around me praying that he didn't find me before I found him. As I reached the door, I could see that it was chained and padlocked. How was I to get inside? I wandered around the perimetre of the massive building searching for any fissure that I could squeeze my body through. At last I found a broken window. I removed my jacket, wrapped it around my hand and punched the remaining shards of dusty glass out of the splintered timber, then I laid my jacket over the frame and eased my body through. Gazing around the blackness, I could see nothing. Pulling my jacket off the window frame, I shook out any tiny fragments of glass and then pushed my arms into the sleeves. I shuddered, not knowing whether it was the icy atmosphere or my intense apprehension causing the reaction. I side-stepped the broken glass and moved tentatively through the darkness, my eyes adjusting to the gloom as I continued toward a flight of wooden stairs at the far end of the factory. Where would he be? I wondered. I couldn't afford to make any unnecessary mistakes. I gripped the rail and began climbing the creaking staircase. My heart was thundering against my ribcage, the sound rushing into my head. I prayed he couldn't hear it. With each step, I knew the danger lurking somewhere above. The doorway at the top of the stairs was closed. What lay beyond? I tried to swallow the nervous lump in my throat, but my mouth had gone dry. I stopped and strained my ears to listen. The sounds of the night were all around me. I took a hurried deep breath releasing it slowly as I stopped on the landing facing the door. I could not turn back now! I reached for the latch, then hesitated. A strange sensation overpowered me. I turned sharply, staring down the staircase into the blackness behind me. There he was! I fumbled with the latch, but it wouldn't open. I pressed the small of my back against the door and gaped in terror as he ascended the stairs toward me. 'You have been watching me, haven�t you?' he said, slowly moving closer. I knew it would do no good to lie. �Yes...I have,� I stuttered. �Why?� He stepped onto the landing. A tight knot twisted in my stomach. �I find you very...interesting,� I replied, a nervous quiver apparant in my voice. His eyes bore through me to my very soul. I couldn't look away. He stepped closer. �Why did you follow me here?� he asked. �I wanted to talk to you,� I lied. He already knew the reason I was here. A thin smile tugged at his lips. �You have no idea what you�re dealing with, do you?� �Yes. I know what you are,� I informed him. He raised an eyebrow. �And still you follow me here to this obscure place?� I nodded. He stepped closer, our bodies almost touching. �You know what I must do?� I swallowed down that nervous lump in my throat and stared into his eyes. �I won�t tell anyone you�re here,� I promised. �Just let me go.� A smile trembled on his lips and as he opened his mouth I could see his canines locking into place. �You know I cannot let you go.� He leaned toward me and kissed my lips gently like a lover. My heart was racing, my mind giddy. I could do nothing to stop him. Everything around me turned to darkness, I could feel my soul slipping into oblivion... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
 |
 |