The Paranormal Adventures of Christina and Art #4

A Craving for Blood

           Art burped as he came out of Olive Garden. "That food was exquisite!" he exclaimed, holding the door for Christina.

"Yeah, the salad was excellent!" she said. She walked out into the cool night air.

"Olive Garden rules!" Art exclaimed as they went to his car.

"And the service is wonderful," Christina replied and waited for Art to unlock the door. Once he pushed the unlock button on his keychain, she hopped in the passengers' seat and buckled up.

Art opened his door and got in. "Onto your house." He drove off.

Christina turned the CD player on. A xylophone chimed rapidly then continued along with some sort of horn. Then the band came on. Christina moved her head with the music.

"Yeah!" Art exclaimed, turning the volume up.

"Yes, indeed, here we are," Frank Zappa spoke.

"At St. Alfonzo's Pancake breakfast," Christina sang along and tapped her feet on the floor of the car.

"Where I stole the mar-jah-reen," Art crooned.

"An' piddled on the bingo cards in lieu of the latrine," she sang.

"Christina, you shouldn't pee on the bingo cards!" Art exclaimed.

"Well, you shouldn't steel the margin!" she joked.

They continued singing when a pale man that looked to be in his early thirties jay-walked in front of them.

"Shit!" Art exclaimed and slammed the breaks down. He and Christina screamed. Tires screeching, he closed his eyes as the car came to an abrupt stop. As he deeply, inhaled and exhaled, Art opened his eyes to see the man standing only a few inches from the grill of the Impala. The man had a shocked look on his face as he walked over to his side as Art's chest continued to rapidly rise up and down. When he caught his breath, he pushed the button to make the window go down.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry I walked in front of you! Are you OK?" the man asked as Art shut the music off. He wore a red sweater with black sweatpants.

"Yes," Art replied, still trembling. "Are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm alright. I was a little stupid; I didn't look before I crossed."

"It's OK. All that matters is that nobody got hurt." Art replied although a little miffed at the man's careless action.

"Yes... well, I must be off."

"Wait! Where are you going? Maybe we could give you a ride," Christina offered.

"Christina, what are you doing?" We don't know him," Art whispered.

She ignored him and looked at the stranger. "It's the least we can do."

"Well... It's fifteen minutes to my friends' house if I walk."

Realizing the right thing to do, Art sighed. "You can ride with us."

"Really? Thanks!" He jumped in the back.

"No problem." Art smiled and he drove off.

"I really appreciate the ride; I've just dropped off my brand new Prius to get fixed. I guess its battery was damaged at the factory."