My breath came out in warm streams of air that emptied from my mouth. It was causing my throat to burn from the amount of air that was being inhaled. My chest heaved from the effort I gave when I provided the oxygen my lungs need. My heart continued to pump ferociously as my limbs needed the more blood they could receive. The pounding in my ears gave me something to run for even though my legs were burning from the exertion. I could feel every single muscle I had straining to obtain the speed that I needed to survive. The cramp in my side was now spreading and I could feel it's needle like, stabbing pain slowing me down. I could deal with the pain... Just not what was causing me to endure it.
My eyes prickled from the cold night air and I had to continue blinking to keep them moist. I could feel my hair whipping me across the face like thousands of tiny whips. I had to stop myself from using vital energy to hold my hair from my eyes.
I could hardly see at all, blessing the small rays of moonlight that filtered through the tree tops. I had to leap several times to narrowly avoid the dangerously large fallen logs. The bushes and trees provided adequate coverage for me to crouch and hide but I dared not stop for anything. It was far to life threatening for me to halt now.
I gasped suddenly, my heart nearly stopping, and dug my heels into the ground. It then pounded with so much ferocity I feared it would dislodge itself from my body.
It felt like bony fingers were stroking my spine and death's cold breath was spreading on my neck.
I spun around wildly trying to locate the dark figure that caused my to stop in my tracks. I could see nothing but shadowy shapes surrounding me.
"Show yourself!" I choked out with the last remaining courage I had. My palms were slick with sweat and the indentations I had created with my sharp nails stung.
"But what is the fun in that, my dear?" A deep, smooth voice chuckled from within the trees. The breath caught in my throat and I panicked trying to pinpoint it's location.
I inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly drawing out each breath mechanically. I flexed my fingers, cracking each one, and wiped the sweat on my jeans.
Ok, I thought. I can do this.
When he noticed my change in character he made his way through the thick forest and came to the clearing where I was standing. His silhouette was casually leaning against the trunk of a tree while he peered at me curiously. I could see his slim build beneath his simple clothes.
"Like what you see, sweet heart?" He asked as he stuck to the shadows. I could sort of see his features but it was still too dark.
"I can't see you..." I whispered biting my lip. I continued with my rhythmic breaths trying not to let my breathing hitch. His kind liked that.
"Do you give up?" His figure didn't move like it should to breathe. He was a statue.
"No." I said softly.
He laughed and it wasn't a light hearted laugh like someone who looked like him should have had; it was dark and with a menacing undertone.
Then he walked into the light and I could see all of him. He looked perfectly handsome with a slim, clean shaven face. His sharp features gave him a cat like look and his plump lips complemented him.
"Well I like your answer." A smirk came across his face and he stepped closer to me. He was about one arms length away now. Some small part of me felt that he should have stayed inside the shadows but it was far safer for me to monitor him carefully. I craned my neck so I could see his face.
With feather like touch, he stroked the side of my face. The position gave me the advantage to see his eyes but I immediately regretted what I did and shut my eyes tightly. His eyes were deep pools of nothing. He had no true emotion in them.
I reopened my eyes and lifted my hand to stop him. He smiled clearly darkly amused.
I blinked quickly and saw white canines peaking out between his lips. It felt like my heart skipped a beat and he took notice. He smirked dangerously as he leaned towards me.
"No." I placed an open palm against his chest. My heart was fluttering making me much more alluring to him.
"I was wondering when you were going to do something." He chuckled. He dragged a wet tongue against his lips. I stepped back slowly only to have him take a step as well.
"You should leave me alone." I said shakily. I returned to digging into my palms and grit my teeth together.
"And why would I do that?" His cool breath danced across my face and my nose could detect rotten meat. I wrinkled my nose unconsciously causing him to frown.
I took a few deep breaths but I finally racked up enough courage.
"Leave me alone." I stomped on his foot hard.
"Ugh, you little bitch." He hissed wrapping his hand around my small neck. He shoved me down on the ground with the hand around my neck. It caused me to wince as my head thudded against the ground.
I attempted to help myself off of the forest floor but he mercilessly held me down with his foot. He just watched me struggle to get him off me with an amused smile.
"Give up yet?" I said not exerting himself at all. He wasn't covered in sweat, nor breathing heavily. He wasn't even shivering on a fifty degree night in his flimsy shirt.
"Never." I said breathlessly. I was getting impatient with his flawless beauty and wanted to smack the smirk right off his pretty little face.
"Why don't you fight like a real man?" I challenged. My heart rate had slowed as well as my breathing. He was nothing to be afraid of.
"I don't need to. I am the hunter and you are my prey." He forced his foot down on my chest to emphasize. His smirk doubled when I struggled again and my eyebrows drew together.
"Then why don't you let me go so you can catch me?" I said quickly when an idea came to mind. I struggled to stop myself from giving myself away from the many micro-expressions I always had.
He debated for a moment then released me. I helped myself up from the ground not receiving any help from him. I wouldn't have taken it anyway. He stood there for a second waiting for me to regain my barings.
"Move." He ordered after I didn't move for several minutes. I could sense the tension in his neck increase when I shook my head.
"Just give me a second." I closed my eyes and took a quick breath. I felt his footsteps vibrate the ground as he made his way angrily to me.
When I opened my eyes, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened for half a second when he realized what was going on.
My pupils were dilating rapidly making my vision blurry but I could still see the fear that was now rooted in his eyes. A deep growl built up in my throat as my body modified to support a much deadlier carnivore. The changes hardly caused pain anymore and I was training to become a better predator. I was a deadly, beautiful angel in the moonlight with my colorless fur and eyes the color of a summer sky.
He stood five feet from me now with the fear coming off of him in waves. He was panting heavily but just from habit. His perfectly tussled hair was now scraggly on top of his head. It was pathetic seeing him this way.
I crouched down into attack mode allowing my ears to flatten down onto my skull. My lips retracted into a snarl displaying all of my sharp teeth and my eyes narrowed into slits as I surveyed him.
His eyes widened in immediate panic. He realized that what he believed to be an innocent, little girl was going to destroy him.
He sprinted away from me switching our roles. It wouldn't take me long to catch up to him so I didn't worry. It was in his nature to flee when events didn't go his way.
I glanced skyward at the beautiful moon as I padded forward. She was shining brightly casting rays of moonlight on my soft fur. I was glowing silver as I bowed my head to her in respect.
I shot into the woods after him knowing the world would be a better place without him.
