The Four in the Woods

The silhouette of death

"Greg you first" Violet giggled with a twinkle in her eye "what-no,no w...why not Jamie" he stumbled shocked "spoil sport" Violet slurred taking yet another gulp of wine. "Fine...just don't..." "-don't what" Lilia interrupted "just don't" Gregory groaned. "You wanted a story here's a story" he continued

"it's late around 1:40 am, they're in a pub. It's full of young girls and men around 20, 21. They're dancing madly, like they're in a club, a girl, a beautiful girl with golden coloured hair pulls her boyfriend, a scruffy lad with ruffled hair and half tucked shirt, by the hand. Right into a booth, waving her hand shouting above the music she orders two large pints, there's another girl in the booth, her friend. 'Jack babe I want you to meet my friend Lucia' the man, Jack looks at the girl in the booth and cautiously shakes her hand. She was different, Jack confirmed to himself, the way her eyes darted...everywhere, the way she shaded half her face with hair, the way her hands tensed during contact. 'Carmilla here showed me this place, don't you just love it" Lucia smiled teasingly like she knew he thought something wasn't right "Carm, d'you wanna dance?" Jack said sweating nervously "sure hon" she replied he took her by the hands and pulled her up where they participated in their usual nightclub routine, swinging your arms swaying your hips. Jack couldn't concentrate though, he was looking, staring at Lucia. He noticed she had teeth bared, and snarled at an invitation to dance. But no it couldn't be? Not openly, not like that, yet he knew in less than an hour the moon would be full. He had to get himself and Carmilla out of there, Carmilla was dancing, aimlessly, drunkenly, but without a care. Jack looked at her hair illuminated by the flashing lights, she was perfect an innocent angel. He often wondered what a girl like her could see in a man like him, but whatever it was he knew he would do anything to keep her. 'Hey Carmy, I was wondering if you could help me, I think Dania has had a little to much to drink' Lucia pointed at her friend slumped against the bar. As Carmilla went off Lucia took her place 'you don't like me do you?' She smiled again 'I never said that' 'trust me your actions speak louder than words' Jack shrugged not knowing how to reply since her accusation had been accurate "you know something Jack, something about me" Jack shrugged again trying to keep calm but his heart beat was ever rising. "Something you're not supposed to know" she whispered in his ear "I only met you tonight these are the first words you've spoken to me, how am I supposed to know something" Jack demanded feeling sweat drip from his forehead "remember actions speak louder than words" Lucia continued speaking into his ear "this...this...is a little to close for com...comfort" Jack stammered "and if you know something you're not supposed to know we have to make sure you forget it" she carried on ignoring his protests "how about we get some air?" She said raising her voice slightly. Jack backed away shaking, no more than shaking tremors rippled down his back. "CARMILLA, CARMILLA WHERE ARE YOU" he shouted running to his angels reply. "I think it's time to go" he earnestly nodded "maybe your right" Carmilla said looking at the puke covered counter, Lucia shot Jack one last look making him gulp.

Jack looked back and was comforted as the fading music eventually died out. He held her hand walking on the edge on the pavement, testing his balance making her laugh. 'Jack, I love you' she sighed kissing him lightly on the lips, as she drew back she looked at his bemused expression and heard his voice utter the words 'why?' 'What d'you mean why?' 'Why do you love me? A beautiful girl like you is way out of my league, your smart, funny, well off, what could make you possibly love me?' He asked bewildered 'I love you for you' she pursed her lips like rosebuds waiting for a kiss 'but what do you love about me?' Sighing she retracted her lips 'your kind, caring, you notice things, you think before you do, you love me for who I am, happy now' she sighed again, this time his eyes clouded and he said the words loud and clear ' I love you too'. Jack swung her hand 'do you remember our first date' she recited the same thing she always did when he started that topic 'you took me to the park, then we went for lunch at the savoy, and finally you drove me home where we had a gentle kiss in my porch' he skipped slightly ahead 'exactly and do you remember the next morning where I showed up at your model shot with flowers and -Carmilla' Jack stopped realising she'd stopped walking forward 'look a full moon' he glanced back at her, he could just see her silhouette 'Carm you alright?" He looked up at her hair, it slowly started to rise and out of the top of her head protruded two small ear like things, now by this point you and I would've ran, but not Jack he was fascinated yet scared. The love of his short life was turning into.....a beast? Her knuckles were clenched and out if this tips of her fingers grew sharp talons. Her clothes split and her body was covered in hair. Jack decided now he should run, but he was cornered into a cul-de-sack, a dead end. She came closer growling ferociously, he thought about Lucia, Lucia and Carmilla were friends, but no! How long had she...? Losing his train of thought Jack fumbled with his pocket, grasping his hands on a Swiss Army knife. Jack first pointed it at her but then this was his love, his Carmilla what would his life be without her. He dreaded to find out, but he didn't have to find out. Turning this knife on himself he plunged it deep into his stomach desperately he breathed 'I love you Carmilla my ange...' Jack never got to finish but Carmilla couldn't stay without him so off she fled, to this very wood."