Desiree.......... (Closed thread)

[Guest]

The night was cool and quiet, only the sound of her heels on the pavement reverberating through the air. Walking through the park on her way home from class, Desiree hugged herself and looked up at the night sky, at least it was clear with no signs of rain.

Why did my car have to break down tonight of all nights? she thinks to herself.

Clad in a knee length black skirt with nude pantyhose and a short-sleeved white blouse, the air left her chilled. Her 3 inch black heels, though great for accenting her long legs, were hardly made for long walks.

The day had been beautiful, a typical spring day. Upper 60 degree weather with lots of sunshine. Desiree had decided to forego the jacket and dress nice and light. Kicking herself for her choices, she quickened her pace. The walk through the park took at least 30 minutes at a brisk pace. Heels were bound to slow her down a bit.

No change for a pay phone, no cell phone, no one around to give her a ride after class. Walking alone at night did not bother her, she had her pepper spray if needed and she was well trained in self-defense. Getting lost in the park was not an issue in general either. However, the topic in class tonight had been the effect of rape on the psyche of the victim, her defenses were elevated as such.

A snap of a twig stopped her in her tracks. Whipping her head around she scans the area. Her eyes spot a squirrel. Giggling but shaken she continues down the path.

 

[Nightblade]

Roman

Quietly he sat. This is another evening...another cool and peaceful night that he went without her. His lingering memories of her filling his thoughts...consuming his emotions...even his waking life. This cloudless night, with the crisp night breeze and fresh scent of pine in the air, seemed another potential night for his watch...

Silver Shell Park had become quite a hotspot of social activity in recent months; more urban development brought businesses and a residential neighborhood close to the park's territory. That meant more people, and more often. Joggers, athletes, college students...it mattered not...they all ventured here for various reasons, and usually with the same drab predictability as all those that had been around Roman at some point or another.

This served his purpose, however...he liked to sit alone in the dark and watch. Watch the park-goers...before in days past, this would amount to the occasional person wandering the park...but now, these days, it's something different. He didn't just watch anyone in the park. No, he was very specific in his activity...looking only at the women that frequented the place. With each passing face, each running or walking body, he felt closer to her. He couldn't bear the memory and experience of losing her...and so he sought to console himself in seeking her face on others. Perhaps this was a morbid defense mechanism of his already disturbed mind...perhaps this was a darkened corner of a vast and deep depression. Only Roman knew why he sought solace in this manner. But soon enough, someone else would find out...

Hearing the sound of a twig snapping nearby, his head whipped around to his left...peering to a dense and shadowy patch of trees, Roman could actually distinguish the distance of the sound...about 60 feet behind him and to his left...he knew this area...there was only one trail that led near his current position, and it wasn't a running trail...

A new face so soon?...he was infact hoping for a change of pace...

 

[Guest]

What a paranoid fool I am...Desiree chuckles, continuing her way down the all too familiar path.

Every morning before her day was to begin she would throw her shoulder length auburn hair up in a pony tail, throw on a sweatshirt and a pair of jogging pants and hit the trail. She loved it as summer approached and she could dress a bit cooler, show off her slender frame and well toned legs a bit.

Her daily run allowed her to clear her mind and people watch. Her favorite was this little old couple who were out for a walk almost every morning. Hand in hand, smiling brightly they pictured what she hoped to one day achieve. At the age of 26 that seemed such a long way off. Besides, being single made it almost impossible to picture clearly.

Lost in thought this night, she walked the beaten path. So caught up in thought was she that she failed to notice a large stick in her path. Catching her heel on it she fell forward. Her left knee hitting the rocky tar, her hands breaking most of her fall as they landed next.

OUCH! Slowly standing up she looks at her hands. A bit skunned, but alright. Her knee however was bleeding, her nylons torn with runs starting out like a spiders web. Removing her shoes she hobbles over to the nearest bench and places her shoes and purse down, hoisting her leg up to survey her skin. Using the hem of her skirt she wipes at the blood.

Well this isn't working...she mumbles as placed her foot back on the ground. I must get these off....

Peering around quickly, she slips her hands up under her skirt, feeling the smoothness of her nylons under her palms. Slowly slipping her fingers around the waist she tugs at the undergarment. The sheer material sliding easily down her soft thighs to her knees. Careful to not aggrivate her injury more, she slips over her knees and down to her feet. Removing the pantyhose completely and dropping them in the waste recepticle next to the bench.

Re-surveying her leg she realizes she has a few minor cuts, but no rocks in the cuts. Grabbing her shoes and purse she decides to walk barefoot.

Without the sound of her heels on the path, the night is eerily more quiet. She could swear she hears rustling in the trees, but chalks it up to an over active imagination.

Nothing is out there...she reminds herself in thought...Maybe if I sing a tune the time will pass....

 

[Nightblade]

Roman

with the snapping twig catching his attention, Roman listened a bit closer for that sound that would follow...that he could swear was inevitably behind the snapping twig...ah! there it is! ...a softened, grumbling sound reminiscent of someone muttering under their breath...the night was that quiet, and the park seemed too dim to for even the nocturnal folk to be out...nonetheless, Roman leapt from his position, headed to the area where he heard the sound...his pace brisk, he was careful to lay his steps gently, yet quickly...so as not to be heard, yet allowing him to move fast enough to see what the cause of the sound was...

Moving through a thicket of shrubs and bushes, a few small and gnarled trees, and a slight hill, Roman began to slow his pace...he followed the sound at first, but then...he caught an unfamiliar scent in the air...his intimate knowledge of this park allowed him to recognize a variety of commonly-occurring scents...and this wasn't one of them. This was the scent of...another person, a woman, perhaps...that was his hope. The only source of light he could use was the Moon itself, and with it being a full moon, the light was rather radiant. Quietly seductive and eerily enchanting, its pale glow illuminated part of the trail that lay beyond the brush ahead...Roman crouched on his hands and knees now, gently treading through the soft grass and fallen leaves and twigs...careful not to press too much of his body weight on any one particular area for too long. His approach is quiet. Just ahead, he sees broken shadows and slight movements...at last! He would see yet another one tonight, he'd hoped...

Roman couldn't quite tell what was happening ahead. Moving ever forward, he eventually came to rest within a cove of trees. About six of them in all, their placement almost ovoid in shape, but the foliage was thick enough with the undergrowth to conceal him from view. At least, from the view of whomever was just ahead. He had the perfect vantage point. Even his position relative to the trail granted him favor, as he could use the light of the moon to see very clearly the source of the snapping twig and softened grumbling he heard just a moment ago. Slowly moving through the weeds and shrubs, he stops half-way through. His body concealed, yet his face slightly extended from his leafy disguise...his fingers prod ahead, gently removing a few concealing branches from his view.

That's when he saw her. You must understand that this moment marked a pivotal point in Roman's life from this day forward. He would soon forget all he knew of the woman from before. This creature's presence would do that...her essence and physical beauty would enrapture him...catapulting his fixations to undreamt of levels. In discovering what he thought to be an utterly magnificent woman, Roman would only worsen his affliction. He didn't know this yet, of course. But time would be the ultimate arbiter.

The Moon light could not do her justice. Her appearance, everything from her auburn hair and well-toned legs to the skirt and pantyhose he watched her fumble with, struck him as no other woman ever had. As her face leaned into the light, unkowingnly she gave him a perfect glance of her face...her eyes...her hair...neck and shoulders...the way her body moved as she removed her pantyhose, believing she's alone...believing that her brief episode of vulnerability went unnoticed. But he knew better. He had to know better. For the first time in nearly three years, he saw a woman's face and didn't see...her. He didn't imagine a stranger to be the woman he once loved. This made Roman very afraid. It made him terrified to know that he didn't have any handle on the flood of emotion coursing through his body and soul...

Keeping as quiet as he knew how, Roman continued to watch this woman. Once again, that unfamiliar scent caught his notice, and he leaned forward ever so slightly, taking in her scent for as long as he could. Ah, the scent of fresh lilies...ignited his blood and stirred his resltess passions...his own vision nearly dimmed completely, causing him a moment of imbalance...but, he didn't stumble, and thus remained hidden from her awareness.

She gathers her purse and heels, and deposits her worn pantyhose in the waste bin next to the bench that she sat upon. She rises and walks away, continuing down the pathway moving away from Roman. As she clears the corner, and is now completely out of sight, he darts forth from his hiding place. He casually walks to the bench that she sat on. He stands there for a silent moment, a puzzled look paints his face. He stares at the area where she sat, and then turns his attention to the waste bin...

She just threw them away. They sat atop a pile of discarded papers and empty food cartons. Laying there, dangling over one side of the bin, he couldn't help but reach for them. He clasped them in his hands, slightly hunched over now as he stares greedily at her worn pantyhose. He traced the fabric, running his index finger through the spider-webbed tear that he was sure caused her to discard them in the first place. But there was more. Aside from the tear, he noticed a bit of moisture in the weave...not sweat, but he wasn't quite sure. Doing the next logical thing he could think of, Roman gently lowers his lips and tongue to the moist part of the pantyhose...with but a simple taste, he knew immediately what that was. Blood. Her blood. Of course, that made sense to him. She must have fallen and scraped herself, and she got up to sit on the bench and remove her pantyhose. He wasn't fond of the coppery and salty taste of her blood, but it did have a feint taste of that same scent he noticed before...the very scent that led him ever closer to her...

Pondering these things, standing on a pathway in the middle of the walking trail...torn pantyhose dangling from his grip like noodles from a pair of salad tongs...Roman knew only one thing: he must follow her to remain in her presence as long as he possibly could. The change she encited within him that first time he saw her couldn't be denied. And if she could change his memory, she could change his entire life. That's what he wanted. In time, she would want that too.

...Roman immediately set off in the same direction he watched her leave in...with a little luck, and enough of a night breeze to carry her scent, he would find her before too long...maybe he'd find her before sunrise...maybe he'd find her before she even left the park...

 

[Guest]

To try and pass the time and make the walk a little less quiet, Desiree begins humming to herself. The notes flowing together, words echoing in her head. Normally afraid to sing in public, she begins anyway. Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place... Her voice gets lost in the darkness, with no one around to hear her she sings louder. Suddenlyit moves with such a perfect grace...Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste..it all revolves around you...

Stopping for a moment she realizes how dark the upcoming path is. Her mind flashes back to this morning. On her morning run she wobserved a teen throwing rocks at the light, watching as the bulb shattered. The shards falling to the ground, breaking in to even more tiny pieces. Fortunately no one had been hurt at the time. Uncertain as to whether the park crew had cleaned up yet or not, she ponders about potential broken glass.

I better put my shoes back on she mumbles to herself. Slipping her feet back in to the heels, the interior of the shoes cooled from the night air. She stares ahead... So dark....

Taking one step at a time she walks in to the darkness.

 

[Nightblade]

Roman

striding through the dark, Roman's mind is set ablaze with excitement, and anticipation...his eyes wired, pupils completely filling each iris...no color remains...his hands flutter a bit nervously as he makes his way through the soft grass and spattered trees...

it is then that he hears it...a fell voice on the air at first, but then growing louder...it's singing, though a tune that he apparently does not know...but, the singer is getting louder, almost as if the volume of her voice is proportional to her confidence in her singing voice...he knows it must be her...who else could it be? ...

I've got what it takes to make her mine he thinks to himself...and without hesitation, he continues his pursuit of this mysterious woman...

After all, I've already got my first...souvenir this thought streaks through his mind, as his attention is briefly diverted to the pantyhose he carries in his inner coat pocket...

a split second passes, and the singing voice abruptly ceases...this catches Roman off-guard, and he instinctively halts his pace behind her...standing absolutely still for a moment, he has a flickering stretch of time to ponder his next move...he does this in silence...and nearly as quickly as he stopped to ponder, he continues on his way...stepping softly on the misty grass...strolling to where his audio trail left off...

She is near...

 

[Guest]

The sound of her heels is somehow comforting to her as she walks the path slowly. Suddenly not feeling quite as alone, despite the fact she believes she is alone. She continues humming to herself as she walks, finishing out the song she had been singing moments earlier.

In her minds eye Desiree tries to picture the area she is walking in. Knowing a curve to the right will be coming up soon, as well as a bench at the turn, she feels her way slowly with her foot. Feelign off to the right, following the grassline as best she can. hoping to follow the curve that way. Once around the curve she knows it is only a matter of a few yards before the next light.

This park needs more light poles she mutters. Or brighter ones. The park spent several thousand dollars over the last year to install antique light fixtures. Despite being beautiful and completing the romantic feel the park strived for, they were very poor lighting at night. The city, when questioned, had said that there were rules about being in the park after dark. They had hoped that would be enough of a deterent and the lighting would not be an issue.

What they had failed to consider was the months where sunset was earlier in the night, such as this night. Being early in the evening, it was still "legal' to be walking. Desiree had seriously considered writing a letter to the city about lighting issues before. Now she was determined.

Beneath her feet she feels the crunch of what she assumes is glass. She had lost track of the grass edge as her mind wandered. Moving off to the right she taps the ground, looking for the grass. She bumps in to something unfamiliar and jumps back, letting out a muffled scream. Her eyes somewhat accustomed to the darkness, she makes out the shape of a cat as it runs off.

Making her way around the corner she sees the upcoming lightpole. Happy to have a better view of the path she walks at a more brisk pace.

Shivering, covered in goosebumps and her knee sore...all she wants is to be home.

Only a few more minutes and I will be out of the park she reminds herself then 2 blocks and I am home!

 

[Nightblade]

Roman

Hearing the shrieking snap-sound of breaking glass, Roman's attention darts to the area just ahead of where he was shadowing her...he quickens his pace, carefully tucking the pantyhose back into his coat pocket to keep them safe. They had to be safe. Much like she has to be safe. This is the way of things. Roman knew this, and even as he cursed to himself about this inevitable frustration, he proceeded with cat-like grace through the shadows adorning the park. He would keep her safe.

How else could he manage his own fulfillment if the object of his desire comes to harm? No, only he would be allowed to bring her harm, if he so chooses. In the thoughts about her well-being, Roman is so distracted that he almost strides a bit too far...destroying any cover he once had to remain invisible to her.

reaching an area of the trail that curves around a semi-circular shape of park land, he spots the light pole and crouches low into the tall grass off the path...watching silently...

He arrived just in time to see her yet again...a solmen moment of beautiful reflection. Roman stares at her intently, never taking his eyes from her...flowing auburn locks, tender skin, and an athletic figure...these features only seemed to propel him even further into his delusionary state. He can't help but smile as he watches her tap her foot to the trail, looking for something...he is amused at her momentary confusion and ponders just how vulnerable she is. She just doesn't know it yet. How easily he could wrench her from this park, and carry her to a far-removed place. A wicked grin illuminates his face. But, that's the closing thought for another time. For now, Roman continues to watch...poised and fixated on her.

As she nearly stumbles onto a a stray cat, Roman makes his move. He carefully sneaks out of the leafy entanglement where he once hid. He closes the distance between himself and her...slinking as a predator stalking its prey...completely centered on the hunt and chase. Her muffled scream is like music to his ears...filling his mind with a reverberating echo...a call for him to take her. Make her his, and then claim her, as he had the others.

As he nears her, he pauses briefly, still crouched low and about 6 feet from her. His long, flowing coat blends perfectly with the night here...and thanks to the malfunctioning light, she has even less chance of discovering his presence at this range. His head slopes downward, his arms outstretched, hands open with fingers spread wide...he prepares to ensnare her. At the last moment, he retracts. Wait. He cannot do this yet. If he grabs her now, he thinks, he will never know where she lives. That is something he must discover. These thoughts strike his mind like a hammer to concrete...vibrations surging through his mental landscape. There is no time to ponder them now, only time to stay as close to her as possible...and without her knowledge just yet...

Roman folds his body in a nearly-fetal position, using whatever darkness is there to conceal him until she passes out of this area. He tucks his legs up tight against his chest, holding his breath and keeping absolutely still. She doesn't notice him, though she pauses for a moment before following the path around to the next light pole that actually works.

She heads on down the path, and around the corner...Roman rises, staring in the direction he knows she's heading. He stands for a moment, reflecting on what just happened.

I must have her...she is purely magical...and divine with her presence. She smells of lilies, and knows something of flaunting herself...of what she has...I know of such flauntings, I do...we're the same, she and I...

So close.

 

[Guest]

So close....so close to home. So close to a hot bath, a cup of tea and a soft bed to snuggle in to. The lights from the street coming through the entrance to the park. Breathing a sigh of relief, Desiree walks to a bench near the edge of the park and sits down. Her feet ache, walking in heels for a short duration is one thing, but this was too long.

Peeling the shoes off her feet, she listens to the familiar sounds of traffic through the gate. Never has she been so happy to hear those generally aggrivating daily noises. Even the scent of exhaust is welcomed.

Taking her foot in to her hand, she massages it firmly then switches and rubs the other. Opening her purse she grabs her pocket watch to check the time. It had taken her 45 minutes to walk through the park. Not too terribly bad, considering the delays. Replacing the watch and picking up her shoes she stands back up and heads for the gate.

In her hurry to leave she fails to notice her billfold had fallen out, as well as her small keychain. All she is concerned about is getting home.

Shoes in hand she leaves the park, taking a left on the sidewalk and following the stone fencing surrounding the park. 2 blocks later, she crosses the street and stops in front of a quaint one story house. A small 1 bedroom home with flower gardens lining the exterior. In the daylight the house shows the white and light blue stucco finish. Her first purchase upon moving to town. Her first real investment, a place she calls home.

HOME! She proclaims happily, reaching for her keys.

 

[Nightblade]

Roman

Watching the woman from just out of sight, he can see that she's just about exhausted herself with her venture into the park this evening. He watches her seat herself, and remove her heels, and massage her aching feet. He wonders what her legs feel like. He wonders if she has the kind of muscle tone that knots up tense when exercised, or if she's got the other type...where the muscles become like putty. He guessed she would be the knotted type, given that she stopped to rub her feet for a bit.

The sounds of the night filled this part of the park. Roman knew that his time was very limited, and he desperately needed to reach her before she left the park. But, that's not it...he needed to reach her afterward...after she left the park. More suspense that way. It's one thing to be a ghost in an otherwise uninhabited and concealing park at a late night hour; quite another to be that same ghost in a crowded public street...a smoke-filled bar or restaurant, or even just the casual stroller through the neighborhood. See, blending one's presence with the public makes for a more effective hunt. After all, you could be anyone, to her...if she knew, that is. A large part of this hunt is for her to remain unaware for as long as is humanly possible...so far, this is working in his favor...

Drawing his attention away from his fluttering thoughts and romanticized acts, Roman shakes his head clear and sets his mind back to the task at hand. Just in time, too. She rises, and turns and walks away from the bench...following the sidewalk that he knows full well leads to the main gate. But...then, it happened...an action so small as to not catch her notice...perhaps because she's distracted...perhaps because she simply did not hear it happen...

She dropped something...and Roman knew damn well that it contained the most valuable information about her he could find at this point. Her identification. Her address. Any other momentos that could possibly be found...he drooled at the very possibility, using his past experiences as a gauge in this same scenario.

A billfold. He knew it the moment he saw her drop it. With the woman safely out of view, he swiftly approaches the bench where she last sat. He crouches down to one knee, and reaches for the spilled contents...a small keychain and a billfold. He takes the keychain, holds it up to the light glaring from the lamp post nearest him...studying the shape and design for a moment...then, he smiles gleefullly and puts that into his coat pocket. Souvenir number two

Then, his attention diverted to the container of knowledge. Her ID case. The small button snaps open, revealing a pouch with several congruently-folded sleeves inside. Each holding a myriad of small papers, some plastic cards, some loose change, and...at last...her identification...neatly secured in a laminate-window fold. It boldly displayed her picture, along with all of her personal information.

Cross, Desiree L.
1727 S. 83rd Avenue

.....

there was more information, but Roman only held interest for her actual picture, her name and her address...so he didn't pay any attention to whatever else was listed there. Ironically enough, he knew the vicinity of her home...the area was one of his market regions, when he worked for the major telecommunications firm in town. He worked accounts from this area, supporting the sales teams and technicians for hard-line installs. He scheduled appointments, sold products and services, and knew many of the residents in this area personally. He'd serviced their accounts for nearly 10 years.

He gathered enough information from this to get his next most prized piece of information...her telephone number...

So close, I can taste her...

 

[Guest]

Lost

Digging in her purse under the glow of the porch light, she notes something odd. Her keys are not in their normal pocket..nor is her billfold. Befuddled she brings the purse in front of her and rummages through, looking close.

Panicing she looks back at the park. Oh no.... Dropping her shoes by the door she walks back across the street, quickly retracing her steps. Watching the ground closely...her sore feet barely noticable.

Her mind races to all that possibilities of where she could have lost it...what would happen if someone found it. Her LIFE was in there..Her creditcards, her license, her birth certificate, an intimate photo of herself she had taken for her ex...I have GOT to find it!! Not to mention the keys to her home!!

Almost in a jog now, she reaches the gate and stops. Looking in she spots the bench she had sat at to remove her shoes. She thinks back...Yes! She had opened her purse there! They have got to be there. Quickly she walks to the bench and looks around. No sign of her belongings anywhere. She even checks the garbage..not there. that means..I wasn't alone.... she mumbles..her eyes wide.

She turns around and races out of the park. Running all the way back to her house. Frantically she lifts out the fake plant from the pot..reaching for her spare key. Opening the door quickly, she replaces the key, grabs her shoes and head inside. Locking the door behind her, tears streaming down her face. Not so much from fear, but frustration. Tomorrow would bring lots of calls.

For now, she needed to relax. Perhaps a long hot bath is in order...

 

[Nightblade]

With this newly acquired information, Roman decided to let this night's hunt end in parted ways. With no actual contact between them. It was better this way. Besides, he needed some time to find out more about her first, and now he has a great starting point. From here, he could find out all he needed to know about her financial history/records, medical records, educational experiences, even her place of employment and vehicle registration information. This is as he wants it, for what else could bring such joy other than intimate knowledge of the object of his obsession? All this shadowy concealment takes a toll on the disciplined, and his very human nature resumed command of his faculties. He needed to eat, and rest a bit as well.

Tomorrow would see him expending tremendous mental energy in learning all he could about Desiree Cross.

Leaving the park through a disheveled section of the wrought-iron fence...near the park's most southern point...he leaves as discretely as he entered. Alone and silent. He is a fading memory into the darkened stretches of the night.

'You don't know who I am, do you? That's the way I like it. You're not going to be allowed to know. But I, on the other hand, must know everything about you!' ...a saddened woman stands there, her blouse partially torn...mud stains on the knees of her capri pants...shoeless...hair a rattled and matted mess...her tears have choked back any useful syllables or sounds that she may have made...then, 'See, you're so much like my other. You don't know it or see it yet, but you are. And that's why I have to make you mine.'

In a flash, the piercing, monotonous sound of a drone alarm cries its way through the room! Roman is wakened, both suddenly and violently...as his hand clutches at his chest, as if to protect his heart. Drenched in sweat, he rolls to the side to have a look at the clock. 6 am. Starting time for him. As he reaches for the night lamp, something falls to the floor with a dull thud. Glancing down, he sees it's a billfold...and a keychain laying next to it...as if that spilled out from within. He smiles devilishly, being reminded of how this day will be for him. And wondering what it must be like for her...

 

[Guest]

Desiree....the next morning

The last thing Desiree remembers is looking at the clock for what seemed like the thousandth time and seeing 3:00 AM. Her alarm set for 5:30 to wake her for work. During that short time period her mind raced with haunting dreams.

Images of a stranger with her billfold and keys...of course the images being that of a male. She drempt of him sneaking in to her home and destroying her precious few belongings, or finding her there and harming her in some way...or worse. Dreams of her identity being stolen also plagued her. Her life lay in that little leather billfold.

Waking to the alarm, instead of reaching for the light, she reaches for the phone. Quickly dialing she reaches the automated line. dialing the appropriate extension and leaves a message for her boss that she will not be coming in.

She was fortunate when she moved to this town, to have found a job right away in a field she loved. A secretary at the local Obstetrics office, she dealt with beautifully pregnant women all day long. Her goal being that of a mid-wife, she found the job exhilirating. Working full time to support herself left little time for classes, but through the local community college she was completing her basics in preparation for nursing school.

Leaving a brief explanation as to why..she hangs up and resets the alarm for 8. Nothing is open this early anyway, she can try and rest a bit more. She closed her eyes and began to doze off.

The night before had her exhausted. Digging through her purse repeatedly...to find nothing. Returning to the park with her best friend Jasmine and a flashlight..searching the area by the bench carefully but finding nothing. Upon returning home she had dug out all of the numbers she would have to call to cancel her accounts.

Fortunately she had a separate set of keys, there was no loss there. The keys to the house, however, would soon be changed. What she wondered was how she will feel safe. Right now everything was so up in the air. The explanation to the disappearance of things shrouded in mystery.

She could think about that at 8..for now she needed to sleep.

 

[Nightblade]

After bracing himself for the early awakening, Roman gets ready for his normal work routine. Clean up. Hygiene. Lunch. Throwing together his outfit for work, he swiftly gathers his necessary items to take with him to work and heads out the door. He's carrying a small satchel, engraved with a southwestern/Native American tileset and ink pattern, that has the billfold and keychain that she left behind at the park.

Yes, she left those things there. She wanted him to find those things. What else could she possibly be thinking by leaving them there? I'll spend my day discovering just that. She'll thank the gods for ever having left me this opportunity.

His ride to work is as always. A constant, dull flow of mindless traffic and exploited blindspots. He weaves through the traffic like a mechanical spider in a concrete, steel and glass web. Barely keeping his travel safe, Roman soon arrives at work. He hasn't been able to think about anything else except her. Her face. Her body. Her name. But it wasn't enough. No, he needed to hear her voice too, and from his position, that wouldn't necessarily be a problem to arrange. A stark smile and darkly humorous aura washed over him, as he suddenly realized how easy it would be to connect that piece of his puzzle.

During his normal work day today, Roman decides to pursue the collection of information about Desiree. He spends the majority of the morning hours rifling through her financials, looking for shopping patterns and preferences...once beyond that, he looks further into her educational background...state accredited university, a double-major, Business Administration and Vocational Nursing...very impressive, though he wondered what she would be doing with that accreditation...in the future, though, this would prove useful knowledge...moving on...her medical records...even as thorough as his search is here, there's nothing out of the ordinary that draws his attention...frustrated a bit, he returns to his work...but, he needs a break...

Roman decides to look through the billfold on his lunch break. He heads out to his car, a pristine 1970 Boss Mustang 429, with 26,744 original miles on it...brand new paint and wax job, silver stripes lining a black shadow of an automobile.

He enters the car and sits there for a moment in silence. Then, he snaps open her billfold. Credit cards, no good. Old receipts from shopping, maybe good for source material later. Will come back to those. Pictures. Hm, now this is something. The first one is just of her, looks like a studio portrait, and she appears very young. Maybe this is a high school photo? Delicious just the same. The second one is of her with some man. They are holding hands, smiling for the camera, and though filled with an aura of joy, Roman knows that this isn't so anymore. He can just tell. That glow that is present in this photograph isn't still in her. It can't be.

He brielfy tucks away the billfold as some other employees pass nearby his car. He eyes them callously as they pass. How dare they interrupt his pleasure. Speaking of which, he begins to think about Desiree...wondering what she'll be doing today...wondering if she even knows these intimate treasures of hers are no longer with her...

 

[Guest]

Stirring, Desiree peers at the clock...7:50..might as well get out of bed. Light filters through the venetian blinds, casting a light on her walls. Hanging there are pictures of her family. Her parents and siblings smile at her...normally to her this is a wonderful way to start the day. She'd walk to the wall and say hi to each of them. When so inclined she mention how much she misses them. Having lost her family in a horrible car accident 5 years ago, these served as a little reminder of what she had. Today it only serves to remind her she is alone.

Staring at the photos, her mind races to that horrible day. The van in which they were all riding in having been struck by a Semi-truck that had veered out of his lane. The van had been destroyed, she alone had been saved. Several months in therapy, and some corrective surgery for burns, she was finally healed externally. Internally she suffered yet. Often times seeing the accident in her dreams. Of course, she remembered very little, having been rendered unconscious...but from what she had read and heard, she pictured it all.

I wish you were here... she states groggily. I feel so alone today. Whispering a quick prayer, she walks out of the room and to the bathroom. In her exhaustion and panic last night, she had skipped her shower...forgetting to clean her knee as well.

Stripping naked, she starts the water and surveys the damage. All in all not bad, just a nasty "road rash" with a few little cuts. She cleans it quickly with peroxide and steps under the jets of the water.

Deep in thought, she washes her hair slowly...Rinsing then applying her conditioner. Letting the conditioner set while she washes her body with her cucumber-melon body wash. Scrubbing her arms, her neck, chests...under and around each breast..down her abdomen, teasing her navel...each leg...then her most private of areas. Somewhat invigorated by the water and the scent, she feels herself smile at her touch. She rinses her body and hair quickly and steps out of the shower, throwing on a towel and heading to her room to dress..

A few minutes later..clean, dry, lotioned and dressed, hair in a towel..she heads to the kitchen to make her morning tea. Grabbing her paperwork she sits down and makes her phone calls. Cancelling all of her cards, calling a locksmith about the door, and lastly calling her friend Jasmine who had offered to take her to her car today.

Throwing her still damp hair in a pony tail, she sits and waits.

 

[Nightblade]

Realizing that his study of Desiree would be indefinitely disrupted by the now growing congregation in the parking area by other employees, Roman decides to give this up for now. He'll look again in a few minutes, but this time, he'll have the privacy of the board conference room. He didn't even have the luxury of using his office for this, as it was being renovated and rewired/jacked for optimal network connectivity.

Upper management wanted to keep him around, somehow, he managed to generate more annual revenue for his entire sector than anyone else combined. This mattered to the right people within the company. So they afforded him a great amount of leniency and personal freedom not enjoyed by anyone else there.

Roman exits his car, heading back into the office through the double-doors on the building's west wall. Past the ID scanner. Past the security desk. Up to the 4 floor.

This time, there would be no escaping him. He would find her telephone number, trace her down...well, her voice that is...he could find and trace or watch her anytime he'd like. After all, he has her address; and while she may cancel cards and change the locks, her address wouldn't change. Doesn't matter. All that's required to get close to her is a willingness to do so. The rest falls in place as he would orchestrate.

Contacting some old friends in both Customer Accounts and Network Ops, it wasn't long before Roman finally tracked down Desiree's telephone number. Instantly excited, he decided to waste no time in calling her. He did want so badly to hear her voice, and now that opportunity has come. Glancing hungrily to the nearest telephone, Roman picks up the receiver and dials her number...

 

[Guest]

The minutes tick by..the clock on the mantel of the fireplace announces each passing moment. The house seems empty today, echoing each tick. To pass time while waiting she decides to play piano a bit.

One of the few keepsakes from her childhood that remained; the piano on which she learned to play. An old upright with 4 pedals instead of the typical 3. Despite it's age, it was remarkably kept up. The wood, though showing signs of age, was still in great condition. The keys had been replaced a few years back, the ivory and black still shiney. She even had the original bench, complete with a cover her and her mother had sewn together when she was a child.

From what she had come to understand, her Grandmother had learned to play on this very same piano. Her mother had learned there as well. As had her mothers siblings. Ultimately it was her grandmother that had given her her very first lesson.

Nothing gave her a greater sense of peace than sitting at the piano and playing. The very act of focus helped drown her fears and anxiety.

Sitting on the bench, she begins to play one of her favorite pieces, Moonlight Sonata. Her fingers danced across the ivory keys in a whimsical manner. The notes blending together, filling her house with the dark melody. Closing her eyes, she lets her fingers do the talking. Grimacing with each missed note, but mostly just relaxing. Her memory returning to days of sitting and listening to her mom play, and occasionally sing.

RING The telephone breaks her concentration. RING Thinking it might be Jasmine she races to it. Picking up the receiver she answers..

"Hello?"

 

[Nightblade]

He didn't know quite what to expect when dialing her number. Sure, it would be another female voice and he's no stranger to a wide variety of those. But with Desiree, he felt that it would be different. There was something about her that captured him. He knew better than to call it Love...no, he thought of it more like a spiritual hypnosis...

Roman: Desiree? Desiree Cross?

Desiree: Yes? Who is this?

Roman: .....

Desiree: Hello?! Who is this?! You must have the wrong number. Goodb--

Roman: It's still so early yet. Do you really have to go so soon?

Desiree: I don't have time for this! I'm expecting an important phone call! Now, whoever you are...

Roman: I'm the man who found your...lost items in the park the other night. I followed you for quite a bit that night.

Now completely on edge, Desiree feels the fear and nervousness fill her entire body. It encapsules her heart and mind, and she finds herself unable to utter any further words for a few silent moments. She can almost hear a feint breathing on the other end, and she wishes just for a second that this was all some terrible dream.

Desiree: What...do...you...want?

Roman: Mmmm, hmmm-hmmm. All in good time. I'll be seeing alot more of you real soon. The question is, will you be seeing me too?

That follows with an abrupt click, and the line goes dead in Desiree's hand before she can react to what he just said. She didn't know just where to start. How did he get my number? What does he want with me? What will he do with me? What did he mean, he'll be seeing me around soon?

Reaching a slight panic, Desiree calms herself a bit...but no sooner than she does this than she begins to get really anxious awaiting for Jasmine to call. Maybe she should go meet with Jasmine, get out of her place and away for a few hours. Thinking on this more, she slinks onto the chair that is nestled by the telephone. She instinctively glances to the caller ID box to see a displayed name, number, or anything. No use. Only the red flashing light indicating that a call had made it through to her line was blinking. There was no name, no number, no date, no time. There wasn't even a text message stating Private or Out of Area. She tried not to think about it anymore for the time being. Things were already bad enough with all that she's been re-arranging in her life now, even aside from having to worry about some psycho following her everywhere she goes.

Roman smiled contently to himself, thinking about what kind of fear she would be living. She needed to know fear of all others. She needed to fear him. She needed to fear. But more importantly than that, even, is that she needs to know that she is his. When he claims her, nothing will be able to keep them apart. Not the law. Not any other person on this planet. Not even Death. He breaks from his fantastic indulgence for the time being, and carefully closes the billfold and tucks it in a hidden pocket sewn on the underside of his driver's seat. He powers down his phone, unjacks his headset, and pulls away speeding into the night.

He was eager and anxious himself to get to be near her more often in the coming days. There was something about her, and he confirmed his own thought about her magick when he heard her voice. Her melody would be his guidance in this cruel and misbegotten world. Since finding her, his own sense of rapture has begun. He hasn't expended energy on anything else the last few days. He hansn't contacted any of his friends, hasn't gone to any of his normal social spots, and hasn't even found time or interest to masturbate. That was surely saying something. She was going to learn soon enough. Right now, though, he has awareness to plan, and a subject to help him plan it.

So very close indeed...

 

[Guest]

There are no words that can describe the feelings nestled inside her as she sits there staring at the phone. His voice echoes through her mind...I'm the man who found your...lost items in the park the other night. I followed you for quite a bit that night...I followed you...followed you...followed

Desiree's heart beat fast, her body frozen in place as she sat there alone in her tiny home. The safe feeling eluding her this morning. His final words before hanging up the phone sent shivers of absolute fear coursing through her...
I'll be seeing alot more of you real soon. The question is, will you be seeing me too?

She wondered what that could mean. He must have been following her in the park, that is the only logical answer. Her mind races back to the long walk last night..The twig, the cat...all the things that had startled her and she had laughed off...Had they been him? Just how long has been been following her?

So many questions that she could not answer. Questions that left her shaking and pale. She knew the locksmith would be here later this afternoon, but what until then? Did she dare leave her house unattended?? What if he snuck in while she was gone and waited for her?

NO! She announces, breaking the silence; I've just watched too many movies..that would be too obvious... She tries to laugh..a very low, uneasy laugh is all she can muster.

So caught up in thought is she that she fails to hear the knock at the door. Using the spare key, Jasmine enters, knocking as she does. Desiree?

A shrill scream fills the room, Desiree jumps out of her chair ready to run if need be. Seeing Jasmine she breaks down. Running to her arms and crying on her shoulder. Telling her about the phone call as Jasmine works to calm her down.

45 minutes later, when Desiree has freshened up her face and borrowed Jasmine a new, dry shirt they head out the door. Being careful to lock it. Time to go check on her car and renew her license. Maybe by then she will have a clear head and his voice will no longer be playing in her mind....

 

[Nightblade]

Wasting no time at all, Roman tears off into the deepened night...his car ripping up the asphalt as it roars down the highway. With so many powerful thoughts and feelings swirling about within him right now, it's no wonder he can even concentrate on driving. He was still in utter amazement at hearing her soft and savory voice. He wanted to memorize the tone and composition of her voice...he wanted her voice to trigger his memories of consummating this relationship of theirs. He pondered this, even as the stereo pulsed with audial energy, sending shockwaves of melodies throughout the car...

Every breath you take...every move you make...every vow you break...every smile you fake...every claim you stake... ...the lyrics continue to rattle off in a melodic darkness, drawing Roman's mind further into his delusions and fantasies about Desiree...

It is in this moment that he decides that he would like to arrive at her actual residence. Discretely, of course. He wanted the chance to see her place, but more importantly, to know it. To take in the aura and feel of what she calls home...if he can connect himself to that place somehow, then she won't be able to refuse him...he will then be associated with what she considers to be a source of comfort and familiarity.

Arriving at S. 83rd Avenue, he makes a right, headed south infact...toward the museum district...now, it should be just up ahead. Thinking in a rabid and disjointed fashion, Roman scans both sides of the street...almost nervously...seeking the one number that will be of any significance to him. 1727. It isn't long before he arrives...his eyes come to rest as they fix on a small, cozy looking house...a porch light is on, revealing partially the edges of several small, adjacent flower gardens lining the front property. Floral collection, perhaps? He was something of an enthusiast himself...this was perfect! He could share this with her!

Pulling past the house, he notices the light blue and white stucco pattern, committing it to memory for this area. His car drifts lazily to the next street up, and he makes a sharp left around the corner at the intersection. Parking just out of sight, he shuts off the car, the rumbling exhaust sputtering a bit and ceasing abruptly. Exiting his car, Roman takes a moment and combs back his hair...following a slick-back style, he replaces his comb as quickly as it was produced...he smiles briefly to himself, locks and closes up the car, and begins his short walk to her house.

Only the elongated shape of his trench coat stabbed sharply at the shadows surrounding him...making his form seem disproportionate when viewed from a distance. He walked with an air of total confidence...a bit slow...but steady, and each step measured in tune with the next. He loved symmetry. And reciprocity. He thought about exactly how he'd get that from her...after all, this was their first date...

 

[Guest]

What an exhausting day Desiree thinks to herself. A day of cancelling essentially her life, obtaining a new license, a new social security card, new locks on the doors, a new starter for her once broken car...She was desperately in need of a long hot bath and a cold drink.

Sitting in her car her mind wandered back to this mornings phone call. The callers voice filling her mind with his words, his threats if you will. Try as she might, she could not shake the sense of knowing that voice from somewhere. It had such a familiar ring, yet she could not place it.

Writing it off as her imagination taking hold of her again, she continues driving. Jasmine had insisted on following her home and seeing her to her door. Seeing Jasmines little Cavalier behind her had Desiree smiling. It was nice to be loved and have friends so eager to help her.

As an added effort to ensure her safety, Desiree had stopped off and purchased a cellphone and minutes plan. If nothing else, maybe this would save her another long walk through the park at night, or from something...worse.

She had also stopped by the local YMCA and signed up for a class in self-defense. "A woman can never be too careful, especially in this town." The instructor assured her. The classes would start tomorrow evening, much to her luck. The pamphlets lay beside her in her run down Ford Tempo.

Deciding she was hungry, Desiree pulled off in to a local coffee shop for a bite. Jasmine pulled up along side her and rolled down her window, a bit surprised.

"I need to eat something!" Desiree chants.

"Oh, hun, I gotta go!" Is Jasmines reply. "I had time to get you home, but not time to eat." A few minutes of chatter, and off Jasmine drove. Desiree assured her she would be fine, and she would call to let her know she had made it ok.

The coffee shop was crowded with college students getting a donut and coffee. After ordering her bagel and tea, she pans the room. Then it hits her...Any of the guys here could be the one with her things. A wave of panic races through her, what if...

"Ma'am" Desiree jumps at the touch of a finger on her shoulder. Turning to the clerk, she smiles quite embarrassed and takes her order out to her car. She felt the sudden need to get home. She would be there in just a few minutes.

 

[Nightblade]

Arriving as he did, and walking closer to her house...he could see that no one was home. No car near the house or in the driveway. No lights on inside the house, thought the porch light tries pathetically to cast the illusion that someone may be home. He knows better. Cursing himself for not having better timing, Roman stops near the edge of her property, standing still and silent as he stares to the front of her house...as if somehow studying its composition and architecture. He has fleeting thoughts, and also a nagging guess about where she could possibly be. How could she do this?! Where could she be?!

Thinking these things to himself, Roman decided to instead walk around her house. Carefully memorizing the property lines and what divides her place from the next on this block. Once he's walked completely around her house, he pauses, not caring if his presence looks conspicuous to any other neighborly observers. He knows full well that his positioning, and the distance at which he's standing from all possible observations points by her neighbors, is too far in the realm of obfuscation for him to be clearly identified by anyone else but her. He uses this to his advantage.

After being rather frustrated with her absence, Roman decides to then take a night stroll down the block. Perhaps he could take a short walk, and she would likely be returning home soon anyway, and return here to meet her just as she arrives. The thought enticed him greatly. Enough to put a wry smile on his face as he walked a bit further down the block toward S. 84th Avenue. Walking amidst the scattered streetlights and dull, polluted glow of the city's night life, Roman measured an off-center stride in his walk. This reflected his momentary disappointment. No matter. He would remain here until she did show up. Then...

He would get to see the look in her eyes...the very look that she could never deny later..no matter how vehemently she will persist otherwise...

Very soon indeed...

 

[Guest]

Desiree climbed in to her car, placed her cup of tea in the holder, her purse and food on the seat, and started the car. The radio jumped to life with the car. Her favorite 80's station played, as she pulled away from the coffee shop.

She was stopped at a red light when one of her all time favorites came on. Head bobbing, she started to sing along, completely oblivious to the lyrics.
One way or another I'm gonna find ya
I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I'm gonna win ya
I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I'm gonna see ya
I'm gonna meetcha meetcha meetcha meetcha
One day, maybe next week
I'm gonna meetcha, I'm gonna meetcha, I'll meetcha
I will drive past your house
And if the lights are all down
I'll see who's around......

The song continued, but Desiree stopped singing. Instead her mind raced back to earlier and the phone call. Chills crept through her...her heart raced.

"Why did I stop? Why did I not just go home and have Jasmine with me?" She tried hard to convince herself everything was ok, but in the back of her mind all she could think of were the "what ifs" Of her situation.

She sat engrossed in thought til she pulled up to her house. The song was coming to an end as she parked in her driveway.

I'll walk down the mall
Stand over by the wall
Where I can see it all
Find out who ya call
Lead you to the supermarket checkout
Some specials and rat food, get lost in the crowd

One way or another I'm gonna getcha, I'll getcha, I'll getcha getcha getcha getcha
(Where I can see it all, find out who ya call)


Her blood ran cold, her fear over taking her. "Only a few steps to the door, then you are safe." She thought to herself.

As she grabbed her things she did a quick sweep of the area. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She climbed out and headed toward the door.

 

[Nightblade]

Watching her car pull up to the house, Roman sits at an alert position. He had been crouching against a wall on an adjacent building just north of her house. The headlights caught his attention, and he stood up and leaned against the wall.

He watches carefully. Counting her steps and never taking his eyes from her...she hasn't noticed him. She strides nervously and hastily toward her front door...passing the flower gardens on the way in. At the door, she fumbles a bit with her keys. This would be his opportunity, a perfect time to close the distance and have her withing his grasp...

As her attention turns to the door, Roman makes his move. Stepping out from the edge of shadow cast by an over-head street lamp...hanging just above the door...on a small shop next to where he was standing, Roman's form glided in the dark. His steps were confident and steady, his coat flowing as liquid ink across a wind-whipped sheet, and his face grew that smile...the very one that seemed to paint his face whenever satisfaction was near...she would come to know that smile...

Closer
she hasn't noticed yet...and the distance shrinks...

Closer
still she's distracted...but, the door is opening...

Closer
she opens the door, sets her stuff inside as she pulls back out under the porch light...looking for something...or looking at something, maybe...


As he quickly approaches, his hands slide out from under his sleeve edges, fingers open once more for grip...his head lowers a bit, chin down, eyes slightly downward but fixed on her still...she won't even know what's happening until it's too late.

Just as he reached the very edge of her property, he suddenly stops. It is as if he's frozen with fear or something...his voice seizes in his throat, his muscles instantly tense to their maximum threshold, and he releases a short, abrupt gurgling sound as this occurs...it nearly alerts her to his presence. But she remains unaware, and his involuntary hesitation gave her the moment needed to find what she was looking for and head back inside...the sliding latch sound heard as she closed and locked the door.

Roman knows why this occured, but that does not alleviate his sense of self-rage for this pathetic hesitation he just exhibited. What was he waiting for? ...he wondered, but, no...he knows exactly why this happened...seeing Desiree, and feeling her presence so close...so quickly...flooded his memories of the others...in that instant, as he was about to close the gap, several dashing but distinct images flashed in his mind...so powerful were the images that they literally clouded over his physical sight...he was practically blind, well, at least he felt that way since he could only see images of their faces...could they be haunting him? ...how dare they?! ...they chose him, not the other way around! He bit his lip, lowered his head, turned and walked back to his car...

This was a most disappointing night indeed. Now, the only thing left to do is go back home, and he can summon up the strength for this again tomorrow evening. He didn't even feel like spying on her still...he could easily peep about her house, through available windows and such...but, he wanted something else right now...something that would require him to sharpen his mind and get him centered again...

Centered on Desiree...

Thinking this, Roman headed hastily back to his car. His twisted desire for her would have to wait another night...he grew disgusted with these setbacks, but his patience carried him though...speeding away into the night, he thought about finding her at work the next day...

 

[Guest]

Sometime during the night, Desiree awoke in a sweat. Her body shaking from the cool air on her damp skin, her face burning with fever. Oh great, I'm sick... she thought to herself. The urge to vomit soon followed, racing to the bathroom she ran a cool shower and tried to relax. She could not afford to miss anymore work, but it looked as though she had no choice.

Donning her robe and carrying a bucket, she headed to the livingroom and sat next to the phone. The clock said 3 AM, she decided to call anyway. 2 minutes later, she flicked on the TV and dozed off watching old reruns.


*********

3 days later, Desiree is finally out of her house on her way to work. Seems silly to go to work for the first time on a Friday. She muttered as she walked to her car.

During the few days she had off, she managed to clear her head. The guy who had her items had not contacted her again. The feeling of a threat had subsided. Yes, every phone call made her jump, and the doorbell sent her in to hysterics 2 nights ago, but all in all she felt refreshed.

She refused to live a life of fear. In fact, she had a date tonight. A blind date set up by a co-worker. She was nervous, but anxious to move on with her life.