SHADOW

Retail Therapy

The sun was positioned at its highest point in the cloudless sky, burning through my beloved shadows. I hid in what was left of the shade. I despised the light. I only came out for one reason and that was her.

I pulled up my sleeve and exposed my skin to the light watching it sizzle under the powerful rays. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the burn for a few seconds before pulling my hand back toward me. My reddened skin healed itself quickly, restored back to its usual caramel color.

I twisted my hand back and forth and then pulled my sleeve back down.

I had actually tried to end myself like that before but just like everything else I was too scared to really fall over the deep end and drown. I liked living or whatever this could be considered. I slipped a ring on my pointer finger that I kept with me at all times and stepped into the bright rays.

I shielded my eyes against the yellow light, squinting as I crossed the street to enter the mall. I slipped past a wave of people exiting the mall, closing my mouth tight as I felt the beginnings of my fangs start to rip through my gums. I could clearly hear the loud thump of blood flowing through veins.

I hadn't fed in days. The temptation was enticing, but I wouldn't let myself eat until I saw her again.

I let her scent lead me to where she worked. I walked into a Forever 21, and did a 360 until I saw her fixing a display of folded denim jeans.

Her hair had fallen in front of her face and she tucked it behind her ear only for it to fall forward again.

I walked toward her slowly, bending down in front of her to pick up a pair of jeans that fell from the display.

Her eyes followed a trail, starting at my shoes until finally she focused on my face. "...thank you."

"My pleasure, beautiful." I licked my lips, leaning against a nearby rack, unashamedly looking her up and down.

She shyly blushed. This was a huge contrast to the Jayde I had interacted with on her birthday. I liked the shy Jayde better. She was innocent.

"I've been around here a few times, but I don't think I've ever seen you. I think I would've remembered a beautiful girl like you. What's your name?"

"Jayde."

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I'm Robyn"

She cleared her throat. "Thank you. And nice to meet you...Robyn."

I cocked my head, taking a step closer to her, invading her personal space. I smirked at the evident increase in her heart rate. It beat unsteadily in her chest.

ThumpThumpThump.

I found solace in the affect I already had on her.

"Can I take you out for a cup of coffee, Jayde? Obviously not right now, but maybe tomorrow morning? That is if you're not busy of course."

She blushed an even deeper red, shifting on her feet. Her eyes flitted between me and the floor in nervousness.

"Jayde?" I questioned, tipping her chin up. She met my eyes and she seemingly fell into a trance, hypnotized by my emerald orbs. I didn't blame her.

I had used these eyes to lure my prey to their own death so many times before.

I stared at her for a second pushing down my will to compel her and waited patiently for her to answer.

"Okay."

I practically purred in approval, sending her a smile full of unfulfilled fantasies. "Perfect. Meet me at the Starbucks outside of this mall tomorrow at 8 in the morning sharp. And don't be late. I don't like that."

I left her in one swift movement, exiting the store.

I stepped out into the general area of the mall. Just as I was about to start walking toward the door I had come in from I felt a body slam into me. My body stood rigid as the unknown person fell to the ground, the impact knocking the wind out of them. I rose an eyebrow at the girl that looked up at me with scared eyes. "I-I'm sorry."

"You should be. Are you alone?" I asked as I offered her my hand. She looked at it skeptically before she took it. I pulled her to her feet with ease and retracted my hand from hers, dusting myself off.

"My friends are in a store somewhere around here. I lost them."

I looked over her slowly. She looked to be in in her early twenties. She'd have to do.

I caught her chin in my hand and fixated on her eyes, watching them glaze over. "Come with me." She nodded dumbly, following me out of the mall and into a secluded alley way.

My teeth ripped through my gums, but I didn't bother stopping them. I turned toward her, grabbing her hand as I lead her deeper and deeper into the dark alley way.

The anticipation grew the more I let my senses take over. By now my eyes had turned to their carnal yellow color and my fangs had grown to full length. I ran my tongue over them, breaking through the soft flesh, tasting my own blood.

I pressed myself into her, backing her small frame into a nearby wall. Her body shuddered, pushing back into me. I vaguely thought about using her as a pleasurable toy before I fed, but dismissed the thought.

I didn't want to be inside of anybody else unless it was Jayde. She was part of my game and I'd stick with her.

I gripped the unknown girl's waist and she let me. Her body jolted when my teeth sunk into the soft skin of her neck.

I got my first taste and all I saw was red after that. Her whimpers went unnoticed and when her body finally gave out that's when I let her drop to the floor.

Blood dripped down her neck, but she laid there still‒ pale and lifeless.

I licked my lips free of the crimson liquid and strolled out of the alley as if I had never been there. She'd be found eventually.

I was happy and I was full.

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A/N: I have no idea where this is going 🙃