Astray in the Dark

Prologue

Sitting at a cafe high table, I sipped my chocolate cream iced frappe whilst my best friend enjoyed her hot cocoa. She kept twirling her fingers around her wavy blonde locks, whilst the ones on her other hand padded against her phone screen. You can't socialise with her when she's like this; trust me, I've tried.

I had my palm pressed against my cheek, leaning into it as I stared at the passing traffic. It was starting to get late, the sun hovering just above the opposing rooftops; it may still be early, but the sun likes to sleep earlier in the premature months of the year.

That's when I began to feel it, the uneasy sensation of an unknown gaze resting upon my petite figure. I quickly felt anxious and uneasy, becoming more and more alert as the feeling didn't showing any signs of ceasing.. Hesitantly, I glanced behind me, my eyes nervously searching for the source; searching for the spectre I knew was watching me.

An electric awareness seeped through my body when I saw no one there, as if preparing me to run. I could feel the hairs standing on the back of my neck, I could feel the goosebumps sprouting all over my whitening complexion. I can feel it, I know someone's there.

"Ali?"

My heartbeat was becoming more than just a thud, more than pounding, more than racing. I took in some calm breaths, but it was still there.. not leaving my back. Who? Where? Why? I could feel myself starting to panic.

"Hey, Ali!" My head quickly snapped over to Charlie; her phone was now laying facedown on the table, and she was staring at me with worried curiosity. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

"Oh um," I glanced back one more time, the sweat settling on my brow. Once again, I saw no one. "It's nothing. Just zoned out for a moment there." I turned back, reassuring her with a sheepish smile.

She rolled her eyes at me, taking a quick sip of her drink. "You really need to stop daydreaming all the time, it's unhealthy. Doing it in class is one thing.. but doing it when you're out with me? Am I really that boring?!" She distressed sarcastically, causing us both to simultaneously chuckle.

"Yeah, sorry, it's nothing..." I forced an innocent grin, and she just rolled her eyes at me before starting on about her bias.

Yeah, that's right.. it's probably nothing.

- - -

~A sneak preview~

He slowly sat up so I was straddling his lap, cupping my cheek as he began wiping away my tears with his thumb. "Hey.. I didn't want to admit this, but..." I paused mid sentence with a quiver, unsure of how to put this strange confession into words. Whilst I was consumed by nerves, the gentle caress of his touch gave me strength.

...

...

After listening to what I had to say, he stared at me for a moment in shock and disbelief. Glassy pools began to well up in his eyes, and he gently rested his head on my shoulder. He's crying.. "Are you sure about this? About me..? I let you go once, but this time..."

"I've never been more certain of anything." I interrupted. If it's him, I don't mind being broken. As long as he's next to me, I'm willing to face any challenge or hardship.

That was all the permission he needed.

He slowly lifted his head, his complexion nearly matching mine in terms of scarlet. He caressed my cheek tenderly before crashing his lips down onto mine, a searing heat spreading across my entire body as his tongue battled with mine for dominance.

When he eventually pulled away, I was left completely breathless.. as if I had forgotten how to breath. My body fell limply into his, my limbs had become like jelly and my energy nullified.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, whispering with a slight chuckle. "I win."