Mind Games

Chapter 6

The rain falls into the illuminated asphalt, splashing noisy as I make my way down the street, completely concealed by the shadows. I hug myself tightly, closing my eyes for a moment before opening them again, escaping the images of the innocent man from the alley.

I'm soaked to the bone in both rainwater and blood; the two substances mixing to create a rather sticky, thin mess that ran down my skin, invading every crevice as if to remind me that it will be near to impossible to get my body clean after just one shower. That I won't be able to just wash away my sins and regret.

I felt disgusted, both with myself and with Nikki. One night had completely changed my life. One relationship changed me as a being...

My knees buckled and faltered, bringing my whole body to the hard concret, slick with clean water, my presence so undeserving of something so pure as such.

Curling into a little ball, I rested my forehead on my aching knees. Tears filled my eyes and spilled onto my face.

I have nothing.
I can't go home.
I can't work, not after this.
I have absolutely no family to confide in, worst of all.

Nikki took everything from me.

Everything.

My body trembled as the cold night air settled on me, prodding my skin persistently.

What was I to do now?

"Are you okay?"

I glanced up nervously, looking to the direction of the voice. A white haired male approached me, his smell almost inhuman...

I moved farther into the shadows, desperate to hide my filthy existence.

"Why are you out here alone?"

"I'm just enjoying the rain in solitude..." I answered weakly.

"You don't have anywhere to go, do you?"

I shook my head sadly, staring down at my feet to mask the shame in my eyes.

"Let's go..."

I looked up at him through the darkness, eying his outstretched hand. 'Let's go'? What made him so sure that I would take up his offering.

I gulped down the lump that had formed in my throat as I took his hand and allowed him to help me up off the wet ground.

"Where are we going?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"A place where people like us are safe."