Gaze (Dark Romance)

The Echo

I zoomed through streets jam-packed with people and cars with complete disregard for the noise of the horn or the red colour of the traffic light. My heart was racing against my chest for this adrenaline kick which enabled me to dash through the traffic congestion with so much ease in averting cars and people on the road. Within half an hour maximum, I reached Veilstalk.

I swung my bike and went up on a very rough and barely passable jungle trail. The path became even darker as the trees stood tall and closed above them like a roof, leaving no chance to glimpse the daylight anymore. The temperature around dropped, giving out a scent of wet soil and much-trodden leaves on the tarmac.

I continued, the din of the engine resonating into the silent and wooded trail until Avery's home came into sight. Surrounded by ivy and old oaks, it remained still as if it were a relic of some other epoch, whose windows were closed and blind. The idea of not seeing her at the subway only made me resolve to see her a lot more. Why not surprise my rabbit in her own home?

I took great care to hide my bike behind the trees so that what remained in the moonlight was the dark outlines of the bike. I moved quietly, and entering the porch averts of light the shadows fell heavily on the floor. I seized the door handle and turned it oh so slowly, Of course, the door was locked.

But I was prepared. I reached into my back pocket and pulled out the twin key I made as soon as Cat informed me she was moving here. It was a relief to hold the cool metal and as I slipped in the key and twisted it, there was a soft click. The door opened with a groaning sound, and I entered the bungalow.  

I began to walk rapidly down the long hall, faint squeaking could be heard on the wooden floor. I knew exactly where the basement was and went there without hesitation; moving through the dark stairs with confidence. Having arrived at the cellar, I flicked on the main switch of the circuit breaker thus turning off the power in the house.

As soon as I was through, I returned back to the upper floor of the house. I posted myself right at the corner of the hallway as far as I could and where the wall's thick shadows would help in concealing me. Staying motionless, I merged with the shadows, and every sound seemed louder in such a stillness. As I will watch her from the darkness, my heart pounding with a thrill knowing that she has no clue what I have planned for her for the rest of the evening.

The minutes fly by and I stand there staring at the door with anticipation; the air quiet, my breathing slow. And then, I wait for it—she is swept inside, pulling the door shut behind her with just one stop-and-start movement. She makes a quick gesture towards the light switch, but alas no light comes on. Once more, she attempts, only with a little more desperation this time around. There is a kind of shiver of delight as her brow furrows and I see she has no idea what is going on; the house stays dark as it should be.

I have to move a little, and the wooden floor of the house, with gouged-out patterns makes a protest. Suddenly her head jerks up and she is staring at the screen wide-eyed and the motion pauses. Silence lingers thick around, or better still, you can even feel it, and touch it. It is anxiety when she turns around with her breaths rising as tension moves around the room. Trembling she struggles to open it, fidgeting with the lock in a manner of good desperation. I noticed that she put her keys on the door part which is on the outside when she came in. The large inhale of breath turns into a faint low groan and her body tenses slightly from fright and irritation.

"Oh, my rabbit," I murmur under my breath, feeling the words curl around my smirk. "She's trapped."

I start to approach her cautiously, not to scare her but my step is very light and quick since the feeling is so good. Her shoulders tense up, and it takes all I have to not burst out laughing at her expression. And there she is my rabbit my little bunny, looking all lost and helpless cornered. Her head moves rapidly around in the room looking left and right with the desperation of a caged animal.

I step, one more time into the room enjoying every second of it. As I step forward, I hear this creaking floor and naturally she startles when she hears that sound towards the direction of the darkness I am standing. I know she is unaware of me, at the very least. The darkness is on my side, I barely hide from her sight but enough to make a surprise.

'Oh darling small rabbit,' I whisper to myself "What happened did you get lost in the house you live in?"

She retreats hurriedly with her hands trying frantically to look for something to use in defending herself. She pulled out a frying pan. I stifle a chuckle at the sight of her being panicky. This lady must be thinking that she can easily fight me off. How amusing. On this, I ensure that I hit the floor with my foot in such a way that a scratch sound is produced which makes a shiver run down her spine. It's almost too perfect.

She starts panting, and I just look at her amused when she thinks of escaping to the hallway. Yes, that's it. Run, rabbit, run. Give me a chase. It'll only make this game so much more entertaining.