Beneath the Dragon's Wing (closed)

[HisPureLust]

Valentine watched them scramble about their meaningless short lives. Worrying about the brief flashes that were their existence. Fretting over trivial concerns and inconsequential events while rolling around in their own filth and fucking and sleeping and wallowing in proud ignorance. He regarded them with a mild curiosity for a moment before returning to the usual indifference he held for them.

He didn't fear death as they did, nor did he fear the passage of time for bringing such a thing. He didn't fear the fall of a great height or the loss of a loved one, he didn't fear growing sick or losing wealth. In fact he only feared one thing... The only thing there was to fear anymore... That which plagued him...

Boredom.

It seeped into his every fiber and numbed his days till all he felt was the sleep he longed for. The oblivion for another several decades till maybe a new interest would fascinate him. Time was his enemy now, but for a different reason. It lay endlessly in front of him and so he had grown tired of it.

Distractions were so fleeting and so few... So very precious....

He moved with an unearthly speed down the side of his favorite building, the architecture had always spoke to him and it didn't hurt that he had known the architect. He missed him, but in what seemed like a very short amount of time to Valentine, the young man had grown to a venerable age and had shaken the mortal coil. He had considered taking the artists life while the gifted man was still young... So he would always remember him that way, but he had been distracted by a younger girl whom he was grooming for other pursuits.

He played with them in this way sometimes... It could kill forty years here, another fifty years there...

Which brought him to the reason he was sitting outside this coffee house across from his favorite church.

The horrid live music escaping the cafe and assaulting his ears. Pale yellow light emanated from within. His cold grey eyes scanned every living thing within in but a moment, discovering who he was looking for was not here.

A young girl walked up to him, he smelled the innocence of her intact hymen, and the sweet scent of her flesh, like buttermilk... He could almost taste it. Her pulse pounded in his ears and just as he was about to tear her from this world, the clumsy fast footfalls of the fool he awaited echoed from several blocks away.

The sweet thing asked if he needed anything and he smiled shaking his head. He watched her apple of an ass wiggle away as he also watched a large man running up to him from across the street and an undercover cop looking for the sale of drugs sit down at a table across from him. The smell of a firearm he discharged recently coming from under his coat and a kick of cologne coming from his poorly shaven face.

The man reached him and stopped to pant.

His heart sounding like it would burst, Valentine motioned for him to sit and he did.

"I'm sorry I'm late... I did it...it's done.... I didn't think I could but I totally fucken did!"

He looked at the fool with annoyance and regarded the cop at the nearby table. His guest was perplexed so he closed his eyes in anger and motioned for his companion to lean in.

When he did he spoke so only he could hear him. It was loud to the excited gentleman but inaudible to anyone else...

He told him to be quiet and tell him what he had done.

"I did it," he began... Speaking loud and breathless again but then quietly and a bit more calm "I killed her....I killed my wife."

Valentine smiled.

"Tell me how."

"Well... I uhm.. I strangled her," he stopped and almost choked on grief but then regained his nerve and let out a nervous laugh "I crushed her throat with my bare hands."

It was silent for a moment... Then the door to the cafe opened, yellow light flooding the black sitting area outside, washing them all briefly in it. The patron tucking her hands in her pockets and walking away as the door closed leaving them in the dark.

He watched her...she was a beautiful thing... Long luxurious red hair, creamy skin, sad and young, and wanting to love when she scarcely understood the concept. As he watched her he nodded and leaned in towards his guest, imitating a gesture he had no need for, Valentine could hear him equally as well if he was half a block away but old habits die hard.

"S-So you'll... Make me like you now....? You said you would if I did this."

"Tell me...did you love her?"

The man looked appalled, and confused... He didn't know what to say so he simply nodded. It took some convincing to explain to his companion that the only way he would gift him what he wanted more than anything else was to give up something that meant everything to him. He convinced the poor soul it was part of the arrangement, failing to mention it was an arrangement of his own design.

Valentine closed his eyes feeding on the loss and pain, the thickest waves sustaining him and amusing him at the same time. But soon it was boring again... and he was finished with this one.

He rose from his chair with a deep inhale and sigh... Another automatic gesture to voice his mood and not one of biology. He walked to the police officer. Whispering in the cop's ear before gliding off him and continuing away from the cafe.

The murderer yelled and called after Valentine to come back, he pleaded that he had done what he was asked and he was owed his reward now, but soon he was descended upon by the consequences of his actions. The policeman held him to the ground and began cuffing him.

Valentine whispered, easily a half mile way now...the sound carried through the air and down the street and around the cop and onto the floor where the poor wretch was wrestled to... It went into his ear clear as day and he heard the words say...

"I haven't the slightest idea what your talking about..."

One didn't need inhuman hearing to hear the man's screams. Their cacophony carried throughout the neighborhood for some time until they became sobs and then silent.

Val felt nothing but emptiness.

He turned his attention to a bus stop several feet away, where the lovely red head sat waiting.

He moved with unparalleled speed to position himself behind her, a gust of wind the only evidence of motion. It was still dark but the bench was lit by a crime light. He stood just out of view and listened to her heart beat, it was calm but irregular.

He walked up to the plastic bus stop housing and entered, sitting on the bench next to her, bending the shadows around him slightly.

He turned to her.

"It's late again."

 

[Jenn1982]

Layla finished counting the cash and stuck it in her pocket. It was more than she usually made in tips and it made the horrible night she’d had a little better. Fridays were live music at the Alleycat and the local band that had played tonight had been...interesting. She wasn’t quite sure what genre they would be classified under but whatever it was it wasn’t her thing. Judging by the crowd that had shown up they seemed to have a pretty decent following though and that had meant twice the tips she usually got.

She took her apron off and hung it up with the others before grabbing her purse. She headed to the front of the cafe and grabbed a cup of coffee to go. She had an essay she needed to finish for the next day and it was already close to midnight.

“You heading out,” Shawn asked her as she put the lid on her cup.

“Yeah, I have to finish that essay for my social psychology class,” she said, smiling at her boss.

“That sucks. I’m sure you’ll kill it though. Nice job tonight, it was crazy!”

“Thanks, Shawn. Have a good night, I’ll see you Sunday!”

She gave him a small wave and headed out the door. Shawn was actually a pretty great boss. He worked with her on her schedule so she didn’t have to miss classes or not have enough time to study. It didn’t hurt that he was hot either, not that she would ever try to make a move. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested, she was pretty lonely but she was pretty shy as well. She was attractive but she wasn’t some knockout. That combined with her shyness put her at a pretty distinct disadvantage.

She headed towards the bus stop and tried to focus her thoughts on the essay she needed to finish. She still had at least another year of college before she’d get her Masters, maybe longer if she couldn’t make a full-time list of classes fit around work. At first, she had hated walking alone in the middle of the night but after a couple months, she had grown used to it. The cafe was in a pretty decent neighborhood and other than the occasional drunk she rarely had any problems.

As she neared the bus stop she stopped, swearing she heard screams. She looked around, her stomach twisting in fear, but she didn’t see anything and the night seemed silent now. She told herself it was probably just a couple of cats fighting and started walking again.

She got to the bus stop and sat down on the bench. She checked her phone and realized she still had ten minutes until the bus showed up. She opened up her essay on her phone and started reading through it. For the most part, it was finished but she still had a few things she needed to add before she did a final revision. It was May so it was still fairly warm despite the late hour but a sudden breeze made her shiver as goose bumps appeared on her arms. For a moment she wondered if a storm was forecasted to come through but her mind quickly returned to her essay. She was so caught up in her thoughts about how the influence of others affected a person’s beliefs she didn’t even notice the man take a seat next to her on the bench until he spoke.

"It's late again."

She jumped at the sound of his voice, barely stopping herself from screaming in surprise. She blushed at her own reaction and tried to slow her pulse. She glanced over at the man for a moment before turning her gaze away. He looked normal enough, though she knew you couldn’t put all your stock in someone’s looks. She really didn’t relish the idea of sitting here with some strange man but she didn’t have much of a choice. She didn’t want him to see how uncomfortable she was, that seemed like a good way to come across as a victim. She tried to keep her tone nonchalant and unconcerned as she answered him.

“Yeah, it’s the last bus for the night so they always seem to be late. I’m sure they’ll be here in a couple minutes.”

 

[HisPureLust]

She was fixated on her phone and he smiled, as she moved her lips slightly as she read he could nearly hear her reciting the psychology paper she had written. It was amusing to him when he thought of the limitations a life has. How much knowledge could one acquire in a single lifetime, most would do nothing with it once it was theirs... Chasing gold plated fantasies and dreams of avarice and glory.

"Are you? Are you certain?" His tone was not mocking but inquisitive and provoking. "It's a hell of a thing to be sure of something... Most people would be inclined to gain something from absolute certainty... So how about it?"

He dispelled some darkness so she could see him clearly and inclined her towards him, without influencing her too much. He was enjoying himself and that was a rare thing. He didn't want to spoil the moment by making it unnatural.

Valentine wore a three quarters black coat, and maroon dress shirt under that. The jeans beneath were tight but not criminally so. He flashed her a smile, his grey eyes shining through the absence of light.

"How about a friendly wager?... It might help to pass the time."

 

[Jenn1982]

"Are you? Are you certain? It's a hell of a thing to be sure of something... Most people would be inclined to gain something from absolute certainty... So how about it?"

She glanced over and wasn’t quite sure what to make of him. He was definitely attractive but not blindingly so and he was dressed nicely so he wasn’t a bum or a broke student.

All of that would’ve typically made her feel a little less nervous about sitting alone at a bus stop with him in the middle of the night. She decided it was his eyes, they looked like they were grey, which was a weird color but it wasn’t just that. Something in his eyes made her uneasy.

She looked away as she realized she’d been blatantly staring at him for an uncomfortable amount of time which wasn’t like her.

She wasn’t exactly sure how to answer him, it was such a strange statement. She hadn’t said she was sure the bus would be here in a few minutes because it was something she believed to be absolutely fact down to her core. It had just been an offhand statement that people make, I’m sure the party will be fun, I’m sure tomorrow will be better, I’m sure we’ll have a good vacation. No one usually questioned that or acted like you were declaring an unshakeable truth.

"How about a friendly wager?... It might help to pass the time."

Weirdness aside he wasn’t totally wrong, a little bet would make the waiting a little more entertaining. She didn’t normally make friendly wagers with strangers but it was a pretty innocuous request.

“I mean I didn’t mean I was absolutely sure but okay, I’m up for a bet. What’re the terms?”

 

[HisPureLust]

A girls curiosity should, of been the saying... Not a cat's, though one could argue the two creatures natures were in fact similar.

He smiled, pleased that he had broken the ice without... Forcing the issue. Call it greed, vanity, or idle curiosity but human nature was a marvelously habitual thing at times and absolutely chaotic at others. Valentine did so adore those moments where predictability was not something to bore him to tears...

"'Terms'? Such an ugly way to describe a friendly game's boundaries. You mean of course to say what is the bet and what will you win? Well," he paused placing his pale hands back in his pockets and leaning back to look up through the plastic bus stop housing and into the night sky... ".. What you win depends on what you need or want... The bet is the bus your waiting for will arrive shortly... Merely late... As you are so sure it will be. As apposed to... Not at all."

He looked down the road, through the dark and along avenues of littered yet empty city streets... Further than any human should be able to see... Blocks and blocks away where the large public transport was in fact turning onto their street and heading towards them yet still miles away.

"So what would you like? If you win? Think hard now... Some opportunities are more valuable than they first appear."

 

[Jenn1982]

"'Terms'? Such an ugly way to describe a friendly game's boundaries. You mean of course to say what is the bet and what will you win? Well, what you win depends on what you need or want... The bet is the bus your waiting for will arrive shortly... Merely late... As you are so sure it will be. As apposed to... Not at all."

She watched him as he spoke and despite how relaxed and...normal he seemed she still hoped the bus would get here soon. She hated that she felt so nervous but she couldn’t help it, it was a big city, it was late at night, and he was a stranger.

He did seem friendly enough but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. Not to mention the whole friendly bet thing was getting weird. What was she realistically going to ask for from a stranger she’d probably never see again? She was sure she was going to win the bet...the bus might be more than a few minutes late but she was positive it was going to show up.

"So what would you like? If you win? Think hard now... Some opportunities are more valuable than they first appear."

He was definitely making this sound a lot more...significant than it should be. It was a silly bet between strangers not a life or death wager.

“I mean since it’s just a friendly game we’re playing to pass the time I guess if I win you can pay my bus fare. What about you? What do you win if the bus doesn’t show up?”

 

[HisPureLust]

“I mean since it’s just a friendly game we’re playing to pass the time I guess if I win you can pay my bus fare. What about you? What do you win if the bus doesn’t show up?”

He laughed... He couldn't help it. It was very loud and genuine. While he knew she would ask for some monetary reward or something equally insignificant since she had no idea the scope if what she could ask of him, he was not expecting such an ingenious and fitting approach to her reward. It should have been obvious and it was this practical naïveté that caused him to laugh.

"That would be fine, more than adequate considering but also very humble. As far as if I win, I'm afraid I'm a bit more demanding... What I'd like, while equally simple... Is something a young woman in the city should be a bit wary of." He inched closer to her and leaned an arm on the back of the bench towards her direction. "I'd like the opportunity to walk you home... That is if you don't mind... And I will understand completely if you do. I mean you don't me, and it is a very.. Dark night."

 

[Jenn1982]

Layla jumped slightly as the man let out a loud laugh. She wasn’t exactly sure what he was laughing at, she hadn’t said anything remotely funny. So maybe he was a little crazy. She smiled nervously at him and glanced down the street hoping to see the headlights of the bus.

"That would be fine, more than adequate considering but also very humble. As far as if I win, I'm afraid I'm a bit more demanding... What I'd like, while equally simple... Is something a young woman in the city should be a bit wary of."

He scooted closer to her and she barely fought the urge to move away as she wondered what he was about to ask for.

"I'd like the opportunity to walk you home... That is if you don't mind... And I will understand completely of you do. I mean you don't me, and it is a very.. Dark night."

It wasn’t as bad as she’d thought it would be but it also wasn’t something she was really inclined to want to do. He was probably harmless but still, it really was just asking for trouble. She was sure the bus would come though and she didn’t see any point in ruining the game for nothing.

“Just to prove how sure I am that the bus will show up eventually I agree.”

She noticed her pulse had sped up. She assumed it was the combination of the fact that she liked winning and the possibility of having to do something very risky.

“My name is Layla, by the way,” she said with a smile.

 

[HisPureLust]

"It's nice to meet you Layla, I'm Valentine."

He extended his hand, his nails a bit long and pointed, his skin pale.

Before she could shake it, he turned his head and heard the bus would be approaching within earshot of the girl's hearing in a few minutes... He turned back to Layla.

"Excuse me...ill be right back. If your not here when I return, well, it was nice meeting you... And your welcome to this..."

Valentine placed the bus fare on the bench after he rose and smiled. He walked away and once out of sight covered all the ground between them and the bus within seconds. It was stopped, picking up a small elderly couple just down the block. The crime light illuminating a simple green bench but not much else on the streets corner.

He had ample shadows to wait in as he decided the best way to achieve his goal. Once inside the bus doors closed and after tossing coins within a metal receptacle the elderly couple shuffled to the back sitting down and gathering their things for the long ride. Valentine watched from outside as the vehicle pulled away for the corner and continued on its route.

He moved alongside, easily keeping pace with it in the shadows, his eyes fixed on it.

He caught sight of the driver and for a moment he allowed the driver to see him... Truly see him. Panic and terror gripped the city employee. He only had this last few stops to make before he could head back to the depot and clock out... Joining his family... But he suddenly felt terror, he felt the helplessness and pointlessness of his own existence. He turned the wheel violently to one side... Barely side swiping a car beside them, he continued onto the curb across the street, the front end of the bus barreling down on a brick wall belonging to a public school as the passengers screamed for their lives...

-------------------------------

Valentine walked calmly back to where he had met Layla.

The bus was now very very late.

Numerous first response and emergency vehicles sped down the street but all else was quiet.

He sat down, scooping up his change and stuffing it back in his pocket with one deft move.

He pretended to check his watch and looked at her...

"So.. Where do you live?"

 

[Jenn1982]

"It's nice to meet you Layla, I'm Valentine."

He stuck his hand out towards her and she couldn’t help but notice his nails. They were a little long which wasn’t something she usually saw on guys but it was their shape that struck her as weird. They weren’t the normal curved shape, they were almost pointed and it seemed strange that he would file his nails that way. Before she could shake his hand he suddenly looked off into another direction and pulled his hand away.

"Excuse me...ill be right back. If your not here when I return, well, it was nice meeting you... And your welcome to this..."

“Uh...okay,” she said in a confused tone as he set money on the bench.

She watched him as he walked off down the dark street. This chance encounter continued to get stranger and stranger. If he hadn’t left the money she would’ve assumed he just had decided he didn’t want to or wouldn’t be able to pay her bus fare when the bus inevitably arrived. She couldn’t decide if he actually planned on coming back or if that had just been bullshit. She had told polite lies before to spare someone’s feelings but it wasn’t necessary for this situation. She wouldn’t have been offended if he decided he didn’t want to wait and left.

A part of her was a little disappointed that he’d left. Despite her misgivings, she had actually been enjoying the company, as odd as it was. Between school and work, she didn’t have a lot of time left over to go out with friends so most of her social interactions either happened over the phone or at work.

She opened her phone and tried to get back to going over her essay but she couldn’t seem to keep her mind on the task. She finally gave up and glanced at the time. The bus was well over 30 minutes late at this point and she was starting to actually worry that it wasn’t going to come. She supposed it could have broken down but it seemed like they would’ve sent another bus by now if that was the case.

She heard sirens and a minute later a fire truck and ambulance came into view. She watched as they sped by, the sirens echoing loudly in her ears. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement and turned to see Valentine taking his seat next to her. The emergency vehicles had made her even more apprehensive than she’d already been and she found herself worrying about being alone with him again. What if he’d left to go get some weapon to murder her with, she thought for a second. She spend the next few moments convincing herself she was being silly. The late bus and the emergency vehicles had just left her spooked and it was making her mind jump to nefarious conclusions. Valentine checked his watch as he turned towards her.

"So.. Where do you live?"

She sighed as she gave up on the bus showing up.

“Over by 38th and Taft. You really don’t have to walk me home though, I mean I can call a cab or something, it’s like ten blocks away.”

She really didn’t want to walk that far alone this late at night but she wasn’t sure if his company would make her feel any safer. Of course having to get a cab meant waiting here alone for at least ten more minutes and that was if she was lucky.

 

[HisPureLust]

“Over by 38th and Taft. You really don’t have to walk me home though, I mean I can call a cab or something, it’s like ten blocks away.”

"You'll have to excuse me again, I was under the assumption that you would honor our bet" He smiled at her, a devilish grin full of the knowledge he had won their little wager.

He continued in his pleasant manner and nodded towards her phone.

"Interesting reading? You've been engrossed in that since I arrived, surely that and the fact that your desperate to avoid me taking you home must mean my company is absolutely distasteful."

He was teasing and made it obvious but her discomfort was amusing him and he decided to push it as far as he could without repulsing her completely. The prey that realizes it is being stalked is all the sweeter a kill but the one with far advanced warning is the one that got away.

Valentine tried to recall the last time he had this much fun, and could not. Even the life he ruined a few short moments ago did not compare. Her pulse was quickening as he sensed her fear spike and smelled her body perspiring... But she was a rational one and calmed herself...

That's a good girl... Use that logical thought and dismiss the apprehension for paranoia.

 

[Jenn1982]

"You'll have to excuse me again, I was under the assumption that you would honor our bet."

A small pout appeared on her lips as he accused her of trying to worm her way out of the bet. She could tell by his smile he was just teasing her and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Interesting reading? You've been engrossed in that since I arrived, surely that and the fact that your desperate to avoid me taking you home must mean my company is absolutely distasteful."

He was joking but she still felt a little bad especially since she’d just had thoughts a few moments ago that he was going to murder her. She hoped she wasn’t blushing, she hated being rude or having people think she was rude. She reassured herself that he was just teasing her, he clearly knew she hadn’t been trying to ignore him.

“Not really, I’m just re-reading the essay I have to turn in tomorrow. I need to add a few things and make sure it looks good. It’s pretty boring so you’re slightly better company,” she said with a wink.

She got up and stuck her phone in her back pocket and looked down the road one last time hoping to see the bus but it was empty and dark.

“I actually do appreciate you walking me home. I’d really hate to walk home this late at night alone. Hopefully it’s not totally out of the way from where you need to go.”

 

[HisPureLust]

"Not really, I’m just re-reading the essay I have to turn in tomorrow. I need to add a few things and make sure it looks good. It’s pretty boring so you’re slightly better company."

He laughed again, not as loud as earlier but every bit as genuine.

"I'm glad I still rate as company to an attractive young girl. Perhaps if this walk goes well I'd of earned the right to hear your essay."

He rose from the bench, looking over his shoulder as the commotion from down the block was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. He was glad they would be leaving, and while he realized she'd hear all about it tomorrow he saw no need for such a small nuisance to ruin their perfectly good time tonight.

"I actually do appreciate you walking me home. I’d really hate to walk home this late at night alone. Hopefully it’s not totally out of the way from where you need to go.”

"It's my pleasure, really, you'd be doing me a favor by allowing me... But I'm also relieved, it's not a very safe neighborhood. And it's no problem at all. Especially since our bus never showed."

Valentine walked out of the housing onto the street. He paused for a moment and waited for her before continuing... A friendly smile on his face.

 

[Jenn1982]

"It's my pleasure, really, you'd be doing me a favor by allowing me... But I'm also relieved, it's not a very safe neighborhood. And it's no problem at all. Especially since our bus never showed."

He moved onto the street and smiled at her as he waited for her to lead the way. She smiled back at him as she started to walk. She was still uneasy about this, ten blocks was a long way to walk in the middle of the night with a stranger. She knew stressing out about it at this point would be useless though. She would just be extra cautious about anything he did that was...off. Honestly, it probably would’ve been riskier to walk home alone.

“You’d probably be better off buying a book if you’re looking for something to read, my essay isn’t like really entertaining. You look like you’re not that much older than I am, you shouldn’t be worried about rating as company for a “young” girl like me. Thank you though, for the compliment. So...what were you doing out so late anyway?”

Making conversation made her feel more comfortable, like this was just a normal, everyday walk, even if her conversation was sounding a little lame. It was actually a pretty nice night for a walk, the heat from the day had cooled down to a comfortable temperature and the usually noisy city was quiet for the most part.

 

[HisPureLust]

It was a nice night and Valentine couldn't remember the last time he had a leisurely walk with a woman and just talked. Actually he could but it was not a memory he would entertain, not now, not ever.

“You’d probably be better off buying a book if you’re looking for something to read, my essay isn’t like really entertaining. You look like you’re not that much older than I am, you shouldn’t be worried about rating as company for a “young” girl like me. Thank you though, for the compliment. So...what were you doing out so late anyway?”

He smiled at her response.. The honesty and deflection. It was natural to keep her distance from a stranger but he was actually rather interested in her at this point.

"Nonsense, while I respect your reluctance, I'm sure it's a very good essay. That could be true we are....right around the same age... That is we would have been, I look very good for my age but I'll let you guess it... Some other time perhaps," his statement suggesting they would see one another again.

He watched the cars move by them along the road, it was not so busy at this time of night and as they crossed an intersection he noticed the heartbeat of several young gentleman ahead in an alley doing a bit of hunting of their own. The two of them were still a half block away but he made a mental note of it and slipped behind her, to put himself on her right side and closest to the alley.

"I had just ended a rather unproductive late night meeting and was on my way home when I came across you."

 

[Jenn1982]

"Nonsense, while I respect your reluctance, I'm sure it's a very good essay. That could be true we are....right around the same age... That is we would have been, I look very good for my age but I'll let you guess it... Some other time perhaps.”

Layla gave him a sideways look as they walked. It had been weird enough to say that it “could be true” that they were around the same age but then to follow it with “that is we would have been” was beyond weird. She could’ve forgiven the first part as just a phrasing mishap but not after the second part.

She wasn’t really sure what to say to that, if she should ask him what he meant or just leave it alone. She was really starting to think maybe he was some kind of nutjob now and she started to walk a little bit faster. She decided to leave it alone for now and just get this weird encounter over with. He slowed and for a terrifying moment he was behind her but then he moved up on her other side.

"I had just ended a rather unproductive late night meeting and was on my way home when I came across you."

“Oh sorry to hear that, I mean that your meeting was unproductive. What kind of work do you do?”

 

[HisPureLust]

Valentine could sense her growing apprehension but he was enjoying not lying to her. Granted he had told her half truths and deceptions but they were not lies. He couldn't come right out and give her her answers, they would never be able to have this little moment tonight before it's inevitable and bloody end.

“Oh sorry to hear that, I mean that your meeting was unproductive. What kind of work do you do?”

"I'm an artist," he said flatly... It hung in the air and while he knew it was vague he let it stand there for what it was worth to her. If she wished to envision him slaving away over an easel in a loft so be it.

"You are no doubt a student... Are you from the city or elsewhere? And what are you studying? Other than your fellow man."

They were getting closer to the alley and he kept his attention around him, in case the group was foolish enough to attempt a double robbery.

 

[Jenn1982]

"I'm an artist.”

Layla waited for him to expand on that but it eventually became clear he wasn’t going to. She didn’t see a point in asking him to be more specific, he obviously didn’t want to and honestly, she planned to never see him again once they parted company so it didn’t really matter too much.

"You are no doubt a student... Are you from the city or elsewhere? And what are you studying? Other than your fellow man."

She nearly stumbled as she stopped walking abruptly. She blushed and made herself keep going, wanting to get home as quickly as possible at this point. She hadn’t told him she was majoring in psychology, she hadn’t even said her essay had been for a psych class. If his comment had meant something else she had no idea what it could be. Maybe some inept attempt at flirting...like implying she’d been studying him? It creeped her out though and she felt a flutter of fear start in her chest.

“Um, yeah I’m a student. I’m actually from a small town in Vermont but I moved here a couple years ago to go to school. I don’t really like big cities like this, I mean it’s okay but I’d prefer something a little smaller. What about you, have you always lived here?”

She was hoping his answer would be a little longer than the last, mostly because she felt like keeping him talking would somehow keep him from doing anything crazy. She was trying to figure out any way to get out of this but it wasn’t like she could pull out her phone and call a friend to come pick her up right there in front of him. She decided that for the moment she would just keep walking like everything was just fine.

 

[HisPureLust]

"Um, yeah I’m a student. I’m actually from a small town in Vermont but I moved here a couple years ago to go to school. I don’t really like big cities like this, I mean it’s okay but I’d prefer something a little smaller. What about you, have you always lived here?”

"I've travelled extensively but I'm originally from Europe. I've lived here for... Quite sometime. I like the cities... Congestion... I bore easily so it's distractions are a welcomed thing."

He smiled looking towards her as he said distractions.

They were now passing the separation of two shops marking the alleyway and right on queue three young men dressed in less than flattering clothing exited the darkened pathway casually as if they were simply passing by.

Valentine saw one of them holding a knife behind his back as another reached out to grab Layla's arm. He could have stopped them, to him they moved nearly in slow motion but he thought for a moment. If he stopped them before they had actually done anything he would appear the monster he was. He chose to wait and watched them assault her.

One grabbed her arm pulling her towards him while another brandished the blade towards Valentine. The third got behind them and told them all to get in the alley way and to not make a sound. Her phone fell to the ground, bouncing a few times.

The sky flashed and rain began to fall as a loud boom of thunder marked a nearby storms arrival.

 

[Jenn1982]

"I've travelled extensively but I'm originally from Europe. I've lived here for... Quite sometime. I like the cities... Congestion... I bore easily so it's distractions are a welcomed thing."

He smiled at her as he spoke and she tried to make her return smile look as genuine as possible. She thought maybe all the weirdness on his part was because he was from Europe which her rational mind told her was ridiculous but at this point, she was grasping at any straws to convince herself she wasn’t walking home with some stalker slash crazy.

As they passed an alleyway three guys stepped out and moved towards them. Layla didn’t believe that it was a coincidence that they walked out just as she and Valentine were passing.

Before she could say anything or try to move away one of them grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her against his side as she screamed. Another one was pointing a knife in Valentine’s direction. The third guy told them to get into the alley, his tone low but menacing.

The fear Layla had felt a few minutes ago about Valentine was nothing compared to the fear she felt now. Best case scenario they were going to get robbed, unpleasant but nothing compared to the possibility of being raped and beaten or killed. She looked over at Valentine as the guy drug her into the dark alley but his expression was blank.

She wanted to scream for help but she was afraid what the men would do if she did, especially since one of them had a knife. She had always had a horrible fear of being stabbed or cut with a knife, for some reason it seemed much scarier than being shot. She felt tears start to slide down her cheeks as they got deeper into the alley.

 

[HisPureLust]

Once further in the alley, near a slanted wall, some garbage cans and a dumpster... the trio of scumbags stopped them, and pushed valentine against it. They pulled Layla away from him and tossed her on the floor in a pile of trash.

The one with the knife had a disheveled beard and wild eyes, more than likely a drug addict. He kept his weapon pointed at Valentine while the other two stood stayed further back one beginning to unbuckle his pants.

"Gimme your fucken money mother fucka," he waved the blade around for effect "and we won't fuck your girlfriend up too bad... Just have a little fun with her."

They were laughing now as the two by Layla were trying to straddle her and she screamed.

Valentine looked slightly downwards his eyes fixated on the leader. Ample reason had now been given for any fate that befell them, he was sure. And he didn't think she could fault him for taking their lives. But he didn't want his game to end... It was far too amusing, so he tried something first.

The drug addicts mind was too chaotic already and he couldn't seem to influence him at the moment...

"I can certainly understand the need to take what you want... Or the satisfaction of enjoying the screams of your prey... But if you don't let her go... Right now... Your all going to die... Right here. Let's all go home tonight, shall we?"

The leader had not expected that, he looked back at his cohorts who had paused and then back at Valentine who did not look very threatening to them save for his looks could kill stare and the tone of his voice. Valentine did not want his cover blown and so kept things as... Normal as he could.

When they began laughing he sighed....

"For flushing out my own game... I'll paint the fucken walls with your blood."

Quicker than human eyes can see, he moved.

He back handed the knife wielding maniac, sending him flying further into the alley. Before the one landed Valentine leapt at the other two and knocked them off Layla. He slowed now, hoping he could salvage his cover, and stood between the two of them, and her.

He flashed them a smile in the darkness.... Long canine fangs growing before their eyes as he licked them.

From the shadows the other had risen and joined his associates. Again in full force and brave due to stupidity the three of the rushed him, with several series of subtle slashes he tore into their faces and hands like a beast... leaving them blind and weaponless.

They fell to their knees sobbing and cursing.

"Go!" He commanded, his voice echoing despite the rain.

They scampered and fled back into the night from where they came. The large pool of blood already running into a nearby sewer.

He turned to ask if Layla was ok.

 

[Jenn1982]

The men finally stopped, the one with the knife pushing Valentine against the brick wall of the building. The one holding Layla’s arm gave it a hard yank and she fell down hard near some garbage bags, her head hitting a dumpster. For a few moments, the pain in her head made it impossible to concentrate on anything else. When the fog seemed to clear the guy who must have been the leader was talking to Valentine.

"Gimme your fucken money mother fucka and we won't fuck your girlfriend up too bad... Just have a little fun with her."

The other two guys were standing in front of her and her eyes widened in fear as one of them started to unbuckle his pants. She tried to get up, desperate to escape the fate they had planned for her but they were instantly on her. She screamed and kicked at them but after a few seconds, one of them was able to straddle her waist. The other guy pinned her wrists to the ground she started begging them to stop which only seemed to entertain them more.

"I can certainly understand the need to take what you want... Or the satisfaction of enjoying the screams of your prey... But if you don't let her go... Right now... Your all going to die... Right here. Let's all go home tonight, shall we?"

She heard Valentine but was too caught up in fear to think much about what he was saying. The two men looked at the leader for a moment and then all three began laughing. Layla began to struggle again, sure her fate was sealed.

"For flushing out my own game... I'll paint the fucken walls with your blood."

What seemed like just a second or two after Valentine spoke the two men on top of her went flying to the side and Valentine stood in their place. Her mind was having trouble catching up to what had just happened and she just stared at him blankly.

He turned to face the direction he’d knocked the two guys towards and she saw them as well as the leader stand up. She silently prayed they would run off but instead they all charged Valentine.

She screamed without actually thinking about it, sure that they were going to kill him and then her. His hands moved quickly and at first, she thought he was punching them but one of them dropped to his knees and she could see blood covering his face and what looked like scratch marks...maybe? Within a few seconds, the other two were on the ground as well.

"Go!"

Layla startled at how loud the word was and unsurprisingly the three men ran off down the alleyway.

Valentine turned to her and she started to try to thank him for saving their lives but instead, she just began sobbing. Strangely enough, the rational part of her mind was able to identify that she was experiencing hysteria, all the extreme emotions she’d just experienced in the last few minutes working against her. Of course realizing this didn’t do anything to cure them and her sobs continued.

 

[HisPureLust]

He hadn't expected it to come do soon, but there it was. The perfect moment to tear her innocence from the world. To offer her a release from the rest of her short and miserable existence. He stood there, the rain coming down on the both of them in nearly sideways waves... Her sobs loud even over the sound of it all hitting the alley, she was so fragile and pure he thought.

He knelt down on one knee, thinking of all the purity he himself had destroyed without a second thought, all the flames of life he had snuffed out. This was no longer fun. He sighed.

"I'd ask you if you are ok but you are clearly not."

He picked her up, easily. Her body no heavier to him than a pen is to anyone else. He carried her close against him and wished he had some body warmth to offer her, but he had none.

He knew the address so he simply told her it was ok, it was over, and walked the rest of the way with her in his arms.

"It's ok, your safe... Your under the dragon's wing now," he looked down at her huddled against him he tried to take her mind off the trauma "did you ever hear that? It means your as safe as you can be, because a far greater danger is protecting you."

 

[Jenn1982]

Layla tried to stop crying, to stop sitting on the dirty pavement in the alley...in the rain, to get home and feel safe. She just couldn’t seem to make herself follow through with any of those wants.

Valentine knelt down in front of her and she felt even more foolish, sobbing on the dirty ground while he was calm and collected.

"I'd ask you if you are ok but you are clearly not."

He didn’t seem to expect a reply which was good since she had one in her at the moment. He leaned forward and picked her up. She wasn’t really comfortable with that, there was just something off about him that left her feeling wary. He had just saved her though and she instantly felt guilty for feeling uncomfortable.

He started walking and she slowly started to relax in his arms. He murmured soothing words to her as they walked and her sobs started growing quieter.

"It's ok, your safe... Your under the dragon's wing now. Did you ever hear that? It means your as safe as you can be, because a far greater danger is protecting you."

She actually hadn’t ever heard that before, it was kind of a strange saying but it was nice in a way. She guessed it was applicable in this situation, at least to a point. He had just fought off three men by himself without even seeming to break a sweat.

But having a far great danger protecting you was only comforting if that danger didn’t turn on you. Analyzing the saying had taken up enough of her attention that her sobs finally stopped.

“No, I’d never heard that before,” she said turning her head to look up at him.

“Thank you, for what you did back there, for saving me. I can’t express how thankful and grateful I am.”

Now that her hysterics had passed she realized she had no idea where he was walking with her. She assumed towards her apartment, well the cross streets she’d given him. She looked around trying to figure out exactly how close they were. That made her remember he was still carrying her and she blushed.

“Oh um, sorry, you don’t have to keep carrying me.”

 

[HisPureLust]

"No, I’d never heard that before, Thank you, for what you did back there, for saving me. I can’t express how thankful and grateful I am.”

"You just did little one."

She looked up at him and he saw the innocence in her eyes once more, Layla looked so fragile and vulnerable. Normally he loved nothing better than to devour those things whole, but other urges stirred within him.

"Oh um, sorry, you don’t have to keep carrying me.”

"If it makes you uncomfortable...," Valentine gently put her down and held her for a moment to make sure she was alright to walk on her own... "Are sure your ok?"

They were approaching the intersection of the streets she had mentioned but Layla hadn't told him her exact address. This could be were they parted ways... He could have killed her a dozen times but didn't and now as their time together ended he was glad he chose not to.