Rare Blood

Chapter One: Fate

Man... I'm such an idiot, was all Faye could think as she realized it was damn near dark. "Such an idiot," she repeated aloud as she crossed the road, her feet meeting the asphalt with a new found quickness. She'd been so absorbed in trying to let go of the day that it was like she hadn't been outside witnessing the signs of the night's methodical approach. One second she was concentrating on keeping a steady pace, and the next, she was realizing the golden glow from the sun had all but disappeared beyond the horizon.

It's one thing to lose yourself when your well being's not involved, but that irresponsibility takes on an entirely different vibe when you're a half hour's run from home, and there's little daylight left.

It's not that Faye was afraid to be out running at night, she knew plenty of places it was safe; although, right then, she wasn't in one. She could think of nothing more frightening than the dried-out corn fields waiting to be cut down for the winter that she was going to have to run beside in the pitch black.

The random scattering of farm houses built long before the road she would pass them on didn't cast enough light with their sixty watt porch bulbs to illuminate anything in her path. Admittedly she knew Old Mill Road had the potential to be a little dangerous because of the way it curved around the property lines. However, she discovered that slight danger seemed more imminent after sundown. She resolved right then to find time earlier in the day for her run or it was getting skipped. 

She tried to keep her focus on the road although every sound had her imagination running right along with her. She was sure there was some nefarious thing following her. 

"It's just the wind," she panted, hoping speaking the words would add something to make the statement truer. Unfortunately, it only made the rustling corn stalks seem more sinister. 

 "Just the wind," she repeated, and as if on cue, a high pitched screeching filled the air. Her heart stopped as a blinding light washed over her freezing her in place.

Instinct kicked in a fraction of a second later forcing her to dive out of the way in a maneuver that was exaggerated thanks to all of the adrenaline flooding her system. She hit the ground hard. A sharp pain started in her head followed by a fog. She heard one final lurch somewhere in the distance, and then sank into unconsciousness.

"Holy... Mother..." Roxy exhaled drawing in a huge breath. Her foot instinctively found the gas pedal; flight or fight, and only one applied to her present dilemma. A few miles from her destination; no witnesses... she was going to leave. It's not like this was my fault, she thought. Who stands out in the middle of the road like that anyway?

"Moron." She started to shift out of park to speed off when her phone rang playing the generic tone she set for Cyrus. She glanced at the device sitting in her cup holder... and then took her hand off the shifter annoyed.

Roxy didn't answer, but she could hear Cyrus scolding her for leaving. She knew what he would do, and what he'd expect her to do. He would politely check on the pedestrian. He wouldn't chance any negative attention, especially not so close to his home. After all, it's not like I actually hit the dummy...

"Here's to doing the right thing," Roxy said as she opened the door of her SUV and hopped down from the driver's seat. She expected to apologize to a shocked, but otherwise physically intact person, maybe even offer it a ride. She was not, however, prepared for the scent of fresh blood swirling in the air. The sweetness of it assaulted her.
In the span of a breath Roxy became a predator descending on its prey.

Roxy lifted a girl up into her arms; the force of her approach causing the girls head to swing back and forth violently. The bobbing motion caught her attention long enough for her to note the blood she smelled was oozing from a gash on the girls forehead, and it smelled better than anything she had to compare it to. Roxy inhaled deeply, then without further ado, she looked to the delicate flesh of the girl's neck, and bit; sinking her teeth in deep.