Love Within the Shadows

Chapter 1: The Beginning  

Shadows lurked in the night, passing through door to door seeking it's next victim. Shivers ran down the spines of ignorant citizens that were obstacles for the seekers.

   Elizabeth, about the age of 23, walked along the city streets on her way home from work. Sensing a presence, she turned to glance behind her to see a empty street. Street lights flickered, causing the darkness to creep closer to her. A small voice in the back of her head warned her of the dangers of the shadows. Increasing her speed, she walked quickly across the street, seeing her apartment in the distance.
  
Her breath caught, hearing the loud footsteps following behind her. Reaching the stairs of the apartment, she took two steps at a time quickly reaching her door. Hearing the footsteps grow louder every few seconds, she frantically dug through her pockets searching for the key to her apartment door. Pulling the key from her pants pocket, she struggled with shaking hands to fit the key into the lock.

Her body freezes when she felt a hand caress her shoulder and breath on the back of her neck. Turning slowly holding her breath, she glanced over her shoulder at her stalker. Bright red eyes held her gaze, a strange emotion she could not identify swirl in the strangers eyes. A warm emotion swelled in her chest as she held the creatures gaze. The shadow reached out and caressed her face while mouthing sentences she could not hear. It leaned towards her whispering in her ear. But the only thing she heard before her world went black was the creature whisper her name.

"Elizabeth."