Lexington

1. Illuminate

1. Illuminate

"Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness." ― Anne Frank

THERE WAS A certain satisfying scent in the air - lingering, twisting and turning like an enticing fog, hanging tauntingly over his head. The scent caressed his every sense, playing games with his mind and dancing seductively on his tongue. He could almost taste the source; he could feel the ecstatic pulse with every deep inhale. The inviting smell wrapped around him, sparking a lustful curiosity within. Luc couldn't put his finger on it - or his nose, for that matter. He turned his face from left to right, absorbing the sights, smells and tastes of his dimmed surroundings.

The sweet smell of blood was haunting him.

Alerted and newly engrossed, he moved forward in the direction of his desire. Wind whipped at his hair and face, whistling a melancholic melody. Yet the air was humid and clouds hung thick in the sky, signalling the eve of heavy rain. It was particularly chilly outside in the night and the brisk wind blew sharp and pointed. Despite this, the brooding, young-of-face figure felt a nervous sweat forming on his brow. The dark cloak of night hid his black attire; a black, fleece-lined leather jacket remained hidden and dark straight jeans connected roughly to worn military boots stalked through the night.

The moon's glow did little to light the way for him, but despite this he could see very clearly: he guided his feet through the mud and stray branches. Leaves rustled restlessly with every quickened step he took, the rhythmic crunch of the grass beneath his feet echoed into the darkness. Faint sounds of nocturnal creatures grasped Luc's attention; the howling call of an owl startling him. He continued on through the forest with a pulling urgency, moving swiftly and effortlessly towards his target. His legs progressed of their own accord, speeding up as the scent became stronger, his senses and urges leading him to unfamiliar territory, a place he was not entirely sure he wanted to go.

Out of the forest and into unfathomable territory, the vacillant winds seemed to pick up. Luc stared at the dead ended cul-de-sac, the road separated from the rest of the world by a simple curved pavement. There was not an extensive distance between his position behind a tall wired fence at the forest's lining and the start of the street.

With ease, Luc leapt the fence, landing gracefully on the other side without the scratches, bumps or bruises any normal human would expect to receive. The warm scent embraced him as if it was under his very nose - teasing and taunting him. A short plain of grass was spread between them - a plain of grass that would prove no obstacle to him. The grass was tugged this way and that and stray crumpled leaves followed. The nearest building was a small corner shop - run down with boarded up windows and walls plastered with wild vines and graffiti. Luc examined the eerie structure, before moving on down the road. Lexington High Street, the scratched and battered street plate read.

He stepped with trepidation, searching the area cautiously for threats. The eerie silence of the inactive town centre was broken every once in a while by a rustling tree, animated litter or the bark of a stray dog. The whole place looked extremely unsettling, even for a creature of such prowess. He wondered how such a desolate and suspicious place could home a being with such a pure and mystifying blood running through their veins.

The moon was high in the deep navy sky and Luc soon found himself at the end of the road with two illuminated turns to choose from. He focused on his sense of smell, picking up unwanted hints of flowers, cheap perfume and freshly seared tobacco and throwing them aside in disinterest. He grunted, annoyed by the fleeting distractions. He took a deep breath to concentrate, and homed in on the alluring aroma before blindly following the trail down barely lit streets. As Luc ventured deeper into the town, broken windows became fixed, doors were painted and whole buildings were magically restored. He continued through the developing streets with rising curiosity. He soon came to a residential street lined with tall detached houses.

A singular light shone from the window of one house on the quiet street. Somebody was awake.

Luc flitted towards the house, scoping out the building for a way to get inside. The pleasing fragrance intensified and his eyes flamed red with a burning passion. His dead heart came alive with anticipation and cold palms perspired. His hunger was displayed by the red spark of his irises. His longing was shown by the sharp incisors protruding his soft red lips. His cravings flowed through him in waves like the display through his skin of black blood in his veins. From the ground beneath the bright luminosity of electric light, he observed the window, gazing ahead at the source of the mesmerizing scent.

He watched the shadow of a slender figure move slowly around the view before leaving again.

At this point, he couldn't control himself for much longer. His veins had risen under his skin to release the heat of his dead erratic heart. He bared his fangs, growling up at the window ready to make a move when suddenly, a low purring sounded from around the corner.

Headlights flashed, exposing the street so blazingly that it sent Luc reeling for darkness. He sprinted to safety across the street behind a neighbouring house. The car stopped and a man dressed in a dark suit with a fitting overcoat emerged. He looked around, and Luc pushed himself tighter against the wall with hopes of remaining unseen. The mysterious man reached into his slacks and pulled out a sleek hand gun, before aiming steadily and firing in the right direction.

He gasped as the bullet whizzed past him, feeling the warmth on his cheek but he stayed as still as possible.

"I know you can hear me," the man murmured. "So come out and I'll slit your throat without any more trouble."

Luc didn't move a muscle.

"Very well, Lucius," The man tucked his gun back into the waistband of his slacks. "Just know, the longer you hide, the more innocent people die for you," He sang out before getting into his car and driving away.

Luc moved away from behind the house and looked back at the window. He knew that if he wanted to discover more about the slender figure, people would have to die. He just didn't know if it was a risk he was willing to take.