| Chapter two The rotund metal doorknob turned slowly as external pressure rolled it one way then the other; a series of clicking noises was heard as the occupant of the dark room slowly slid inside. The tall figure bent his neck slowly to allow his tall frame to pass through the shorter portal. The room was dark and full of writhing shadows, as he moved about, alternately shifting the panels of light and shadow that entered his dwelling. The apartment was small, neat and well kept. The walls were slightly bare; a bamboo wall scroll depicting a waterfall was the only decoration that graced them. Furniture was kept to a bare minimal. A plush couch, coffee table, radio and small TV were situated in the living room. There was one full bath, one bedroom and a half-bath. It was small, but enough for two people. �Don�t go there,� his mind warned him, � you will only cause yourself more pain.� He sighed as he stood in the middle of his compact living room. A lone picture in a frame was placed almost reverently on the coffee table. The two subjects of the photo gazed happily out at him, as if mocking his anger and sorrow. He felt a growl rise out of the depths of his chest as he glared at the offending portrait. With a violent sweep of his hand, he knocked the innocent picture off of the table. It flew across the living room and impacted on the opposite wall. A mute tinkling was heard as the glass shattered on impact, sending jagged little glass raindrops everywhere. The shards flew in all directions cutting into anything in their path. The eyes that had held so much anger and hatred suddenly grew liquid and vulnerable. Jade lids lowered to cover them and the tall frame quaked once and collapsed like a dying swan onto the yielding cushions beneath him, the overcoat fluttering like a pair of broken wings as he fell. Silver streams founted from his closed garnet pools. And he burrowed his head into the supple cushions of the sofa and sobbed, lamenting what he had lost. The watcher continued to gaze at the ground for a longer while. He appeared to be deep in thought to the passers-by that frequented the park. Finally, with a strange smile on his handsome face, he raised his lithe and wiry body off the bench and strolled down the path, his steps slow and predatory. Dark and sultry eyes took in the surroundings, seeing everything and nothing, for he still was deep into contemplation. The smile grew wider. Like any successful predator, he intended to catch his prey the minute he let his guard down. Yes, he intended to devour his victim, but not literally. He frowned suddenly. He did not wish to catch his quarry on the rebound, but instead on his terms. He intended to seduce, not cause pain. The smile returned as singular fantasies flitted to and fro throughout his consciousness. Each one more appetizing than the last. He neared his own dwelling and stood on the cool stone steps, hand on the doorknob, head down, thinking. He knew what had to be done and when, but how to initiate the whole thing was lost to him. Suddenly inspiration hit him. He knew exactly what to do. The smirk returned to his face and he entered the portal. His jeans whispered as he walked into his apartment. The gloom was warm and comforting. He bee-lined straight for the phone. Dialing the numbers quickly, he waited for the phone to picked up on the other end. Finally after three rings it did. Talking quickly and softly he outlined his plan to the listener on the other end. As soon as he had done that, he politely got off the phone and settled down onto the couch. The hungry light returned to his smouldering gaze. The bait was set, the trap ready. Now all that was left was to lure the in the prey. He smiled with a wolfish grin and then entered the bathroom. He took a quick shower and then dressed for bed. He brushed his teeth and then rinsed. As he climbed into the empty queen-sized bed, he smiled, thinking of the events he had just set in motion. He closed his tired eyes and hid their hungry light from the world, sailing off into the realm of dreams and fantasy. All the while the smile remained fixed on his young handsome face. Back Next |