Lucifer's Other Half

ONE

Estrella strutted her way onto the catwalk and gripped the slippy pole covered in sweat and she began performing for the gentlemen that watched with lust in their eyes. Britney Spears blasted throughout the club and the colorful lights blinded her, but she didn't act as if they bothered her eyesight. She didn't love her job but she tolerated it the best she could, it paid good money and she needed the cash. For six months she had got on this stage and danced for older men's entertainment while wearing the shortest piece of cloth ever. She didn't feel confident while she did this because she wasn't herself, she had on a self tan and a wig, but of course the men thought that she actually had tanned skin and short bleach blonde hair. Once Britney Spears stopped, she got off stage and went to the dressing rooms to change. Her shift was finally over, she had been working for seven hours straight now and she was ready to go home and relax.

"Good job girl," complimented Jenna Roberts. "will I see you tomorrow?"

Jenna Roberts was a single mother of one and she made a killing on lap dances here at the club, all the men loved her body. Estrella met her the first day she started work here and for some reason they became best friends, even though Jenna was almost thirty years old.

"Yeah, I'll be here at ten."

Estrella pulled off her wig and ran her fingers through her shoulder length brunette hair several times to get rid of the tangles, it felt good to take off that itchy wig. She went into the second room and changed out of her uniform before she even left this place, she knew she wouldn't make it to her Honda parked out back dressed like she did on stage.

"Bye girls!" she threw her hand up and waved before taking the exit.

It was Autumn here in the mountains of North Carolina, the middle of October. She grew up in this town, knowing everyone and every place but she lived on the outskirts of town in her mother's house. It was concluded from everyone , surrounded by beautiful forest and she loved it there because of the nature that surrounded the house. She lived alone, no children nor a boyfriend, but she wasn't lonely. Sometimes it was nice to be alone and listen to the noises outside without being interrupted by anyone. Her home was cozy, it was a one story with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Which she didn't need three bedrooms but the extra storage available if needed was nice to have. She locked the front door behind her before wandering towards the kitchen to make a cup of vanilla flavored coffee. It was one thirty in the morning but she was desperate to get relaxed and what was better than coffee? While her coffee pot brewed, she decided she would grab a bagel and spread cream cheese over top of it, that would be her dinner. It was night's like these she wished her mother was still alive, but Grace died a month ago due to a heart attack. Grace was very healthy and she was always doing activities; bike riding, tennis, swimming, and running. It made no sense to Estrella why she had a heart attack, but she guessed those things happened. She opened the cup board and grasped the handle of her black coffee mug, then she grabbed her French vanilla creamed from the refrigerator. She poured the steaming hot coffee into her mug but came to a half when something moved from the corner of her eye, it looked like a shadow. She turned quickly, glancing around the kitchen worried but she didn't see anything. There were a lot of hunters in the forest, maybe one wandered onto her property.

"I'm going crazy." she mumbled. She turned and immediately locked eyes with something that had black eyes.

Her heart stopped and she screamed before taking off running towards the back door. She didn't know where she would go but she was getting the hell out of here.

"I don't think so."

The voice was, deep, cool but diabolical. She froze and witnessed it lock the back door then turn to face her. The voice belonged to a male. He was tall and muscular, he had very pale skin, pure black eyes and long black hair that he had pinned back to keep it away from his sculptured, long face. He stepped forward.

"Don't hurt me, I have money!"

He shook his head while simultaneously smacking his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

"I don't want your money."

"What do you want from me?" Estrella whimpered.

He had reached her and glared down at her, watching her tremble in fear. He raised his right hand and used his long fingers to stroke her cheek. She felt the air leave her lungs, leaving her breathless. He was cold as ice and she felt his nails scratching gently at her skin.

"I want you, Estrella."

"How do you know my name?" she interrogated. "who are you?"

"I'll answer all of your questions soon but for now, just sleep."

"Sleep?" she exclaimed. "I'm not going to sleep, you son of a bitch!"

He blew his icy cold breath into her face before she could react against him turbulently and he watched her fall forward into his arms unconsciously. He buried his fingers in her soft hair and pressed his lips against her forehead gently.

"Sweet dreams, Estrella."