Unwanted shadows

Chapter one

I watched as the girl glanced down at the piece of ruby red parchment; her midnight black hair tumbled down her pale face covering her piercing electric blue eyes, hiding her expression from me. I didn't need to see her face to know she was terrified, I could almost smell her fear from across the coffee shop. The images ran through my head; it was what she saw on that piece of paper, bold black letters scrolled elaborately across the page 'Im watching you'.

It was the same as last time, every few weeks, the same time, same place, she gets one of these notes. I know this because I am watching her. I'm her protector and saviour. Little to her knowledge, she probably doesn't even notice my presence.

The first time I met her or should I say saw her, was three months ago. In this very room. She had just received the first threat. It was a phone call.

The shrill ring of her phone cut into the silence like a knife. Her heart beat went crazy, it was frantic. Her pale face grew even paler, if that possible. Her eyes widened. A mask of shock and horror covered her face.

I watched in slow motion as her phone fell to the floor, it hit the ground hard, the screen shattered, sending splinters of glass across the concrete floor. She fumbled with the study books on the table.

That's when her thoughts broke into my mind, panic and fear filled her brain, a cold hard voice replayed through her mind. 'I will find you and I will kill you'.

Those words haunted her for the next week, that's until she was given something else to be afraid of. The first note. 'You are next.' Ever since that day I have been watching her trying to keep her out of harms reach, so far she remains untouched.

As the slow fear filled weeks passed by; the notes and calls got progressively worse. It was then that I knew they weren't just dumb threats, history will try to repeat itself. He will try to follow through with his threat. Just like last time. He is now watching her at all times. I can feel it.

I return my eyes to the spot where I last saw Kimberly. She was gone, although her scent was still fresh in the air.

Its time to introduce myself to her, should I tell her everything or part of it? What if she thinks I'm crazy? What if she thinks I'm the one who's coming after her? Then what if I don't do anything? And what if history does repeat itself? But that's why I have to do it, I have to tell her everything. History MUST NOT repeat.

I quickly but carefully packed up my fake study books, being careful not to attract any attention. I moved to the coffee shop exit, surveying my surroundings for any suspicious behaviour, nothing too unusual was happening.

I took a step outside into the cold winter day, at least it doesn't snow here, the ice cold rain is enough for me.

I caught sight of Kimberly, her midnight black hair blew around her pale face, revealing a mark on her neck: A black thirteen point star, to a passing by pedestrian it would look like a tattoo. I knew it wasn't. She was born with it. The mark of him. It wasn't until he came to claim her that it would show its self.

I quickened my pace, getting some unpleasant glares form other pedestrians. She turned the corner and out of my view. I was almost running now. I can sense him. He is near.

That's when I saw it. The black stretch limo, its windows completely blacked out, black alloy mags. I could hear the base pumping even with the windows shut tight. The people around me stopped and stared. Everyone except Kimberly.

She kept walking, quickening her pace, maybe her inner instincts were warning her of the danger. She disappeared around another corner, She doesn't make this job any easier for me. I was almost running now, that's when I noticed that everyone was at a stand still, they were actually stopped, mid-step. It was like time had been frozen. In fact time had been frozen.

I was sprinting now, dodging all of the frozen bodies. I caught up to her. I grabbed her arm. "What are-" she broke off mid-sentence, her eyes widened and her face paled. That's when I realised I was glowing. My inner angel had found its other half.

I let go of her arm and she gasped.

"Kimberly, you will be safe with me," my voice came out as a soft whisper. As the words left my mouth the world was set back into motion, the city noise returned, everyone was carrying on about their business like nothing had happened. The limo was gone. I could almost believe it was never there. Maybe it was never there? Maybe my emotions are getting the best of me?

"Excuse me sir, do I know you?" Kimberly's soft but broken voice interrupted my thoughts, this was my chance, this is the only chance I will get, should I save her from this or should I leave it to nature?

Oh but of course I will save her, because I am the only one that is capable. I am her saviour.

We briskly walked to her apartment, away from any prying eyes. Her apartment was very small but welcoming. I could see us living together in a place like this. "So what was it you needed to talk to me about?" Kimberly's soft voice broke the silence.

As I explained the situation to her, her reaction was mild. She wasn't in denial like I

thought, but she wasn't exactly welcoming the idea of running away with me either. I couldn't blame her. Running away with a complete stranger was not always the best thing to do.

I told her about the person who was after her, what he had done to people previously. She already knew about some of those events. She knew about what happened to Kathleen and Jessica but not all the others.

I talked to her about what he is, and what I am. He has the soul of a fallen angel. He is practically a demon but so am I.

When you have a demon coming after you, the best alternative is to get the hell away from it.

It took me a bit of effort to convince her to leave with me, it was an easy decision for her the only thing that was keeping her in this small town was her studying and very poorly paying job. She had no family, they were long gone.

"Trust me Kimberly if I was the one that wanted you dead I would have killed you by now" I reassured her for the 100th time.

"I know, I know, I know I'm just still not used to the idea of someone caring about me though, like actually caring about me enough to risk your own life" her voice was like the whisper of the wind.

Of course I care about you, I love you I can't live without you, that's what I wanted to say, I wish I could tell her that, but its too soon. I keep it to "you better get used to it because I'm not going anywhere".

She smiled at me, her smile reached her eyes, they glistened in the sun. We were leaving this town escaping to somewhere far away, somewhere we can make a new life, somewhere Kimberly will be safe.