Eternally, I Do

Chapter 6: Endless Torment

I continue to keep my back against the wall.

“Sweetheart, you alright?”

Outside, somewhere, Valerie rummaged through clothes and accessories. “Do you think this makes my butt look big?” Val asked.

“Sweetheart, I –“

“No, M’am,” a polite feminine voice replied, a shop assistant most probably. I would’ve face-palmed myself and sigh if it weren’t for the life-threatening situation I have with me here. Trust Val to be alone.

The woman slammed her hand against the wall next to the mirror and smirked, “Thought you’d be safe in the middle of the day? Thought you’d be lots of people? Daylight doesn’t frighten me. Not even a bit.”

Goosebumps erupted over my arms as I stared straight into the electric blue of the woman’s eyes, bravery feigning the fear threading through my veins. “I’m not afraid of you,” I lied, keeping my voice low. The only way out was to get the dressing-room door open and run. I had to be calculated and purposeful if I want to get out of here alive.

For all I know, this woman might be some mental patient out for a murderous streak.

The woman, let’s call her Jane. (Because she looked like one) She smiled, but the smile turned quickly. Her white teeth flashed under the light, vampire fangs sliding down, pointed and sharp. I gasped in surprised.

Honestly, what’s with all of this madness?! It’s just a dare under a tree. Not some vampire party.

Jane faked a lunge at me and then laughed quietly, pulling back. Her laugh was stifled by the dressing-room music and Val cooing over a blouse.

“The great Amelia Hathaway. How I have waited. How it would be me to bleed you first,” she leaned in, her mouth next to my ear.

I shivered.

Like an animal, she pounced on me, slamming her palms on either side of my head. She took a deep breath, running her nose across the base of my throat. “You smell like your blood would light me up.”

I took a short breath. What? Light her up? L.O.L

She slammed her hands against the wall again just as Val laughed loudly on the other side of the door. I loved her laugh. I had to protect her.

I had to make a plan. I focused on the knife-like fingernails. If I screamed for help, I would risk Val being hurt by Val and I wouldn’t want that. If I kicked out the dressing-room door, I could run but she was faster and would outrun me in no time.

“Mia!” Val shouted. “You’re seriously taking forever in there!”

Jane gave a flick of her wrist and I heard a pop, and then a ripping tear. My flesh. Jane had cut me so the blood seeped down my shoulder. It was not a deep cut, but the skin split open cleanly. The wound burned and the blood tickled down my arm. She leaned forward and whisper in my ear so close I could feel her cold lips on my skin. “The blonde idiot out there. Then the boy at school. You know what I want,” she snarled.

My eyes widen. What did she want? Money? Fame? Beauty? God... I have neither of those! In fact, I don’t even know her!

She chuckled and wrapped her hand around my neck in a tight grip, forcing me up the floor and holding me against the mirror. I could barely breathe. I coughed and wheezed and she loosened her grip an inch.

“What... do you... want?” I croaked, clawing at my neck as I choked for air.

A sneer spread across her face, making her look like a creepy circus clown. Her nostrils flared as she whispered, “You should know what I want, my dear. Isn’t obvious?” Her eyes hardened, unwavering. In that moment, I could see the truth hidden deep within them.