Writing Prompt Short Story Collection

Summer Rains

Prompt:  Eye Contact -> Write about two people seeing each other for the first time

(https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/) 

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The rain was heavy and warm, slapping her shoulders and hood as she made her way down the street. It was the kind of uncomfortable summer night rain that left you wanting a nice cool shower, preferably with some nice fruity soaps afterward. Although it was the middle of summer, Tara was wearing a thick black hoodie with a random band splayed across the front, and old jorts she found in a thrift store. The hoodie was probably some sort of random '90s band, but she never bothered to search it up and confirm her suspicions. As she continued trudging down the dark streets of her small town she saw a figure pop up from the front, steadily walking towards her. Trying not to panic she veered more to the left of the sidewalk to give the stranger some space. They seemed tall and muscular, also donning a dark jersey as well as long black tracksuit pants. The person walking towards her slowed down their pace, and Tara noticed they had soft blonde curls that fell down their back. She instantly relaxed as the person came closer, it was likely just another girl walking home in the rain. No need to panic. As the girl came closer to Tara, she slowly looked up to meet her eyes. In those few seconds, Tara had no idea what to expect, but it was nothing like what happened.

As soon as the girl looked into her eyes it was like Tara had been shoved into deep icy waters, her lungs forgetting to suck in air. The girl's eyes were a bright blue, so bright that they seemed to absorb the light from around her. Her irises were small and focused, burning holes into Tara's head. Suddenly she felt an overwhelming sense of dread, every part of her body was screaming at her to run. To get away from this... thing.

Whatever was staring her dead in the eyes was not- no- could not be human. Her very existence seemed to drain Tara's essence from her, the joy and warmth running from her body. Suddenly it felt like she was standing in the middle of February, with an icy chill that caused her teeth to chatter. Her heart was beating so hard she thought it was going to crack her ribs in two. With all the strength she could muster she dragged her now burning eyes away from the strange figure and ran. No one else was outside and she felt a terror grip her chest as she realized she was alone with this girl. As she ran she took a quick look over her shoulder and saw the girl hadn't moved from their previous encounter.

Instead, she stood still with her hands in her pockets, staring directly at Tara.

Even more strangely she was, smiling?

Tara's breath caught in her throat and she bolted faster and harder than she ever thought was possible, the rain crashing down harder and harder against her body. The sidewalks were slippery and she slid a little as she turned into the driveway of her house. The lights were on, her parents must be home, and she felt some warmth return to her. Taking one more look over her shoulder, the mysterious woman was gone. For now.

Sighing she walked slowly up to her door, she must be losing it she thought. Allowing herself a nervous laugh, she took off her shoes and opened the door.

"Mom, Dad?" she called out, her voice echoing against the walls of her dimly lit living room.

Silence. Then a faint hum filled the room, and the cold desperate feeling she had tried hard to run away from grabbed at her with its claws. Tearing at her chest and throat. For a moment she fought, but she was suddenly so, so, tired. With a gasp, she crumpled to the ground, and the darkness enveloped her one final time. Her body lay twisted and lifeless on the ground, her heart now at rest.