Midnight Crusade

Chapter 1

"Penny!" Vivian called out, but it sounded distorted, almost like she was underwater. Her heart raced within her chest, feeling like it was going to burst. She tried to stand from where she knelt on the cold concrete, but something was holding her down. It felt like dozens of hands pressing on her, keeping her from moving out of place. Looking forward, she watched the scene in front of her unfold, helpless and terrified all at once.

There, in the alleyway that surrounded her, was a creature standing tall like a human, with red eyes staring back. Between her and the red-eyed creature was another figure, one she recognized. "Penny, run!" Vivian struggled against the invisible hands, but she only managed to scrape her palms against the rough stone. She watched, horrified as the red-eyed creature approached Penny, fingers like claws that dripped with something. Yet the woman only stood there, frozen, as if she was trapped herself.

Then the creature lunged, pinning Penny to the ground. Her scream rattled around Vivians head, making tears well in her eyes. She had to do something, she had to help, but the force holding her down was too strong, too intense for her to break away from. Hazel eyes watched as the red-eyed creature bit down on Penny's neck, her scream muffled by the creature's hand. Vivian felt herself sinking into the ground as she watched, a whimper leaving her as tears streamed down her face.

Then the creature tore its mouth away, blood pouring from Penny's neck like a fountain, painting the concrete a deep crimson. It was then the pressure lifted from her body and Vivian no longer had to fight the force. She stood, about to run towards the scene, but then the creature looked at her, face dripping with Penny's blood. Vivian regretted it almost instantly, the creature's attention solely on her, burning into her skin. The need to run overtook her, and she turned and fled. Claws dug into her shoulder and stopped her, tearing her skin open and causing crimson to blossom against her shirt. Falling to the ground, her hands barely caught her fall, scraping against the ground and causing more damage. Vivian rolled over onto her back, bracing herself for the sight above her.

But she woke up.

Vivian's eyes snapped open as consciousness hit her like a bus. Her breathing was harsh as she stared up at the ceiling, feeling sweat soaking her skin. The woman had to lay there for a moment, catching her breath and feeling a headache quickly come on. Untangling herself from the sheets, she finally sat up.

The sun was already up, filtering through the blinds that covered the window and making the bedroom glow. Vivian opened the blinds and let the sunlight spill into the room. It lit up the small space, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla calming her senses as she stood and stretched. She must have left the wax warmer on last night, the woman moving to turn it off.

Her nightmare slowly faded into the back of her mind as she went about her morning routine. Vivian had been having the same nightmare for the past week, and she's learned by now how to make the panic she felt melt away so she could go on with her day. It wasn't that she didn't question the nightmare, because she did. She had no idea why she was watching her coworker being killed, it's not like she was there. Vivian assumed her mind was coming up with explanations for what happened, and somehow red-eyed, people eating creatures were the answer.

After a short jog around the neighborhood, Vivian showered and got ready for her shift at the Boardwalk Cafe. It was late morning, the sun hidden behind light, puffy clouds while she walked to work. With it being October and a few days before Halloween, there was a chill in the air, but it hadn't gotten cold enough for snow to start falling. She could see her breath though, and for her that meant it was cold out.

Vivian arrived at the cafe five minutes before her shift, walking through the front door and all the way to the back so she could clock in. The cafe smelt wonderful, the bakery having made fresh pastries this morning. Vivian told herself she would be taking something home tonight, if there was anything left. Being the only cafe and bakery in town, they didn't usually have anything left at the end of the day.