Hunger

Chapter One

Jon Edwards was one of the most secretive people in this small little town. He lived in a big dark house on top of a hill that overlooked the small place. Everyone was afraid of him, warned to stay away. But he intrigued me. I'm a bit of an adrenalin junky, I wanted to see what was so scary about this man. I needed to see for myself.

I walk down the creaky stairs of my great-grandmother's dusty house. She recently passed away and left her estate to my father, who gave me the responsibility of cleaning out the old place. Great Gram was a bit of a knickknack fanatic, there are hundreds of little knickknacks on different shelves all around this place. I've been here for a couple of weeks now trying to get everything cleaned up. I'm still unsure on if my father is going to keep the house or if he plans on selling it. None the less I'm here cleaning out everything.

My phone rings, startling me as it breaks the silence. It's my father.

"Hey Sweetie how's it coming along?" He sounds out of breath.

"Not too bad, the upstairs is completely cleaned out now. Just have the down stairs, attic, and basement." I reply.

"Good, I just got my baggage from claims and I'll be there in about an hour and a half. Get cleaned up and we can go out for dinner when I get there."

"Sure thing. Be careful, love you."

"Love you too, baby girl."

I hang up and set my phone down on a box in front of me. I take a shower and get ready, thirty minutes have passed, I still have a good hour before he even gets here. I grab my bag and my phone, sliding it snugly into my back pocket, and head out the door. The sun is falling lower into the sky, well rather I assume it is. Can't actually see the sun here, not with the thick cloud coverage this small town has. It's almost as if the place has been cursed by Zeus himself. I look up towards the north, my eyes stopping on the big house on the hill, my thoughts wander again. I need to see what's up with him. I've heard so many stories since I've been here. Some say he is a supernatural being that never leaves. Others say he is crazy, probably a predator, old man. That no one has actually ever seen him. Or they don't think they have at least. I head down to the little café just a couple blocks from the house. As I'm walking down the street I hear tires squealing across the pavement behind me. I turn around, speeding down the street is a big red truck, the driver begins to loose control of the vehicle. My heart begins to pound as the truck quickly approaches me. I don't have time to react, it's all happening so fast there is no way I can get out of the way at this. I just accept my fate and close my eyes. Someone grabs me picking me up like I weigh nothing and sprints out of the way. My eyes still closed, I feel myself beginning to panic. What is happening right now, who picked me up like that and moved me like I was weightless. The trucks slams into the telephone pole, glass shattering and the alarm on the truck activating and blaring through the neighbor hood.

I open my eyes after what feels like an eternity. I'm behind a privacy fence and in the arms of a stranger. I look up at the stranger, meeting his gaze, his eyes seems to almost shine, they are a brilliant blue color with flakes of what almost looks like purple. His brown hair highlighted with lighter pieces. He stares down at me, motionless, it doesn't even look like he is breathing.

"Are you okay?" His voice is almost a whisper.

"Yeah, I'm- wait, did you just...-"

"I asked if you were okay," he's sterner now.

"Oh. Yeah, thanks to you. I could've been killed."

"Yes. I know. Listen, I have to go before people show up. I'll be in touch."

Before I can say another word he lets go of me and rushes off in between houses with an unnatural speed. I hear sirens in the distance, approaching fast. I can't take my eyes off the man who just saved my life. He's just a small speck now as he runs out of town. The ambulance and police arrive on scene. I stand behind the fence listening in as an officer talks to the resident that had called 911.

"I heard tires squealing so I hurried to my window to see what was happening, that's when I saw a young woman with long black hair walking down the sidewalk, she was turned to look at the truck that was racing towards her, when the truck flew past the window I flinched, waiting for a scream from the young girl, and the horrific sounds, but nothing. The truck hit the pole there and the young girl was nowhere to be found. But officer I swear, there was a young lady walking. I've not even touched the shine today officer," the man blubbers to the officer, his words slurring now and then.

"It's alright Crazy Joe. We believe you," the officer laughs a bit.

The man mumbles some more, swearing that he had seen me. Which, he did, but now, well I don't know. I honestly don't know what has happened. I hear rustling beside me. A man in blue rounds the corner of the fence and looks directly at me with an intensity I've never felt before. He kneels down beside me and places his hand under my chin to turn my face to his.

"Stay here, don't move until we have all left. Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" The officer asks turning my head to check.

"No, I'm fine, I was able to get out of the way in enough time."

"I know. He told me. He said to keep yourself hidden, he will be meeting with you. Don't tell a single soul what happened today," the officer takes in a deep breath, a sadistic smile tugging at his perfect lips. His brown eyes now have purple specks flicking through them. "He was right, you do smell very good," the officer leans in close inhaling my scent before he stands up straight.

"Did you find anything rookie?" An officer shouts to the guy standing above me.

He glances down at me giving me a quick smile. "No sir, nothing. The man's crazy." With that, he walks away joining the other officers.

I sit behind the fence my thoughts bouncing around my brain. What happened? Who were the two people with the purple flecks in their eyes? That's not a normal color. They must be related, I mean he did know the guy at least. Why did he say I smelled good? My perfume is nice but that's such an odd thing to say considering the context. Why was the first man unnaturally fast? Last I checked Humans can not run that fast. Am I crazy? Have I inhaled too much dust from cleaning out my Great Grams house? Was it more than dust in her house?!?

Once the scene clears out I stand to my feet, feeling lightheaded, everything spins a little before settling down. I grab my bag and continue my walk to the little café I'm meeting my dad at. He should just about be there by now. I can't tell him what happened. I can't tell anyone.