Prey

Chapter 3

“As long as she was falling in love with me, I might as well start making her promises I didn't intend to keep.”

-Michael Chabon

Bzz… bzz…

As an elated Violette was upstairs, busy preparing and pampering herself for a special birthday dinner, her cellphone vibrated violently on the granite countertop down in the kitchen.

She sang to herself as she curled and braided sections of her hair, giddy with excitement.

XxXxX

“Pick up, pick up…”

In the luxurious executive suite of a swanky hotel, Fred sat at the edge of the bed, downtrodden with guilt.   

‘How could I forget something as important as her birthday? What’s wrong with me? My only child’s birthday, and still I could not remember.’

He sighed and gazed out the window at the darkened sky, unable to see where the stars in the sky ended, and where the lights of the bustling city began.   

‘Why won’t she answer my call? Is she angry with me? Did she go out somewhere?’ Fred could feel his heart beat rapidly as worrying—and somewhat irrational—thoughts filled his head.

‘But she never goes anywhere without telling me! Is she hurt? Is she ill? No… no… come on, Fred, don’t jump to conclusions… perhaps she’s asleep! Yes! But… it’s only 9 here, and there’s a 3 hour difference, so it’s about 6 at home. Why would she fall asleep so early? Oh God, I’ll just call her again…’

He dialed her number and listened to the rings, praying that she was ignoring him, that she was furious with him, that she hated him and never wished to speak with him again.

Because to Fred, even that would have better than losing her forever.

XxXxX

Focused, precise, and with a practised hand, Violette swept a pale pink stain over her lips with slow strokes of her lip brush.

She puckered then grinned into the mirror, content. She looked herself over, smoothing out the pastel yellow sundress she had put on.

‘I can’t remember the last time I’ve gotten dolled up like this… and I’ve missed it!’

Styling hair and applying make-up were arts of their own, require ample amounts of patience and practise to be satisfied with one’s ability.

Violette loved to collect cosmetics—designer and drugstore—but never felt the desire to use them, as she rarely went out, and she certainly couldn’t be bothered to put in the effort and waste products for the monsters that lurked at her school.

But today would be different, for a special occurrence was to happen soon, and even underneath the highlighter, Violette was glowing.

She glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. 6:25.

‘Only five minutes left! And the food in the oven should be done by now as well, better go check on it quickly before I’m late!’ She laughed softly to herself, nearly skipping downstairs.

XxXxX

Dakota paced around his apartment, many conflicting emotions raging within him. He was worried and anxious over what Keenan had said… there had been something off about his tone. Like perhaps he didn’t trust Dakota as much as he’d thought—and rightfully so, as Dakota has shown doubt many times in the past.