Starlight

Chapter 1 Part 1

Tai moved silently, rolling on the balls of her feet as they met the cool and polished oak floor. She took in the dark shapes of the night, trying to distinguish between the hazy black edges. The moon had hit its death within the cycle, bearing no sliver of light. She slid through the entryway with her back pressed to the doorframe, afraid she might touch the door and let it yowl from the squeaky hinges. Her nightgown clung to the rough wood before following her into the hall, like a ghostly trail of cotton. Her gentle footsteps danced to the nearby door and she leaned in, listening intently. The moment she confirmed his heavy, rhythmic breaths she made route towards the staircase, keeping a steady hand off the loose handrail. Skip the fourth; that one creaks, Tai let the familiar rules in her head guide her down the steps. Now comes the tricky part. Tai paused on the last step. The flickering flame in the streetlamp out the window dulled her night vision, causing everything to appear a murkier black. She could hear the breath whistle in through the dog's nose, and she knew he lay sprawled at the bottom of the stairs. Her Uncle's beagle was getting older in years, but his hearing remained unaffected, and she knew if she lingered too long he would soon sense her presence. Tai stretched a foot far ahead of herself and slowly let her weight fall ahead, praying silently that her toe wouldn't hit fur. The moment her toe contacted oak she dropped quietly to her heel and let her body follow. She held back a sigh of relief as she tip-toed further from the snoring hound. Sliding around a wooden pillar on the edge of the kitchen she winced at the freezing sensation of the stone floor. Every hair on her body was standing up, only partly due to the chill of a late winter night. The hinge of the cupboard released a shark crack sound when she tugged on the handle. Tai's heart jumped and she stood completely still, looking straight ahead as if looking backwards would mean something would be there. The house remained quiet, not even a mouse was stirring. She ignored the light shiver down her spine as she continued to open the cupboard door. She could smell the faint scent of rye and her stomach felt like it was clawing up her throat. She clenched her teeth and reached out tentatively. He won't notice a morsel or more, how would he know? Tai consoled her wobbly knees as her forefinger traced the paper bag containing her purpose for a nighttime trek. Her stomach growled and she gulped. Her hand hit the rye bread and desperately pulled it from the bag. Even the air tasted sweeter with her fingers gripping sweet sustenance. Tai eagerly ripped a chunk from the back end of the loaf and stuffed it in her mouth. Her body struggled with both relief and desperation from the capture of good food. She continued to tear off pieces and gobble them down, her mind urging her to control herself, while her tongue clung to every taste and texture. True hunger has transformed a small young woman into an untamed, hungry beast.

Click, click, click; a piercing sound snuck up on Tai and her heart stopped. Her eyes went wide and a cold sweat instantly dawned her brow. She whipped around and met the gleam of a dark eye, glaring up at her. She let out a ragged breath as the beagle released a low, snarling growl. Tai leaned away, her back pressing into the counter ledge. The beagle's teeth glinted through the thick of the inky darkness. The hound barked once and loudly. Tai flew forward, swiftly kicking the dog in between the ribs and sending it flailing backwards. Tai ran towards the staircase, padding as quietly as she could while maintain top velocity. She took the stairs three at time, barely scrabbling onto the top step and shooting to her bedroom. She slid through her cracked door sideways just as she heard the next door click open. Her Uncle Terrance stumbled out in his blue and white stripe pajamas, a lit candle in his hand.

"Hey, girl, what's going on," His gruff voice boomed from his thin, pasty lips. His haggard face glowed hauntingly in the dim candlelight.

"I'm not sure," Tai replied, feigning sleepiness as she half-hazard stumbled back out the door she just slipped into, "I'll go down and check."