Howling Hours

Chapter One: Raining Tears

Outside a cheap motel in Idaho, a storm violently raged. The wind pounding everything against it's path, making doors and windows rattle. The rain sounded like hail on the roof. The sky was so dark, not a glimmer of sunlight peaked from behind the clouds. Thunder and lightening wreaking havoc on the skies. A clap and than a flash.

Inside one of the rooms with a 'do not disturb sign' there was a girl who had just stubbed her toe on one of the garbage backs she packed into the dingy room. This one clearly not full of clothes as she heard a metal clanking when her now-sore toe hit against it. A chill was sent down her body. From the back of her neck to her curling toes. She looked up from the garbage back and to the locks of the door. A deadlock and a lock from the door, as well as the desk she had pushed up against it when she entered the room earlier. She checked the locked window, blinds already pulled tightly shut.

A loud clapping of thunder struck, the wind had picked up and she swore the entire room was moving on its own, swaying in the bad weather. The bad weather was the least of her worries.

She triple checked the locks on the doors and window before letting her guard down. Checking once more.

She accepted this was as close as she was getting to safe in this room. She bent down to open the garbage bag, a bag of her families things. At the bottom of the bag, the culprit of her toe stubbing remained. A blueish metal box, it wasn't very tall, it had two latches and a handle on top. She lowered herself to the end of the rickety motel bed. Sitting on her pockets in a pair of shorts, her legs scratching against the rough green carpet. When beginning to open it, she was momentarily stopped by the sound of her door being pounded.

Soon she realized it was the wind, pushing in at the door. She had no sigh of relief though, she did not feel any relief.

Unlatching the locks and popping it open, it seemed to be a normal little tool box, probably one her dad used for hammers or to pack his lunch in. However she knew the contents of the box were not so innocent. On the top of what looked to be a container of letters, there was a piece of lined off white paper. It was folded in half and the fold pointed away from her. Curiosity rang through her, and she softly placed the box down from her lap, and took the top letter out, she now noticed a coffee or tea stain on the corner of the page.

Opening the letter dated 8/12/16, she read,

Dear lover,

Today is day 24 since I have seen you. I miss everything about you and crave to touch you once again. Certain things stick out in my memory, such as your beautiful and tantalizing amber hair that cascaded down past your neck, and ended near the small tattoo of a ladybug. That tattoo, right above your left globe enticed me to the end, I never learned its significance. It is hard breathing on this Earth without knowing you do not do the same.

I yearn to once again touch your lightly tanned skin, and stroke your face with my hand. I'll be gentle. I would never dare lay a harmful finger on your mesmerizing self. Not again. That was my mistake I shall live with for the rest of my shameful days.

I can not unsee the pain I inflicted on you. When your breathtaking green eyes, the color of a Washington forest after rain, welled with tears. They slipped from your stunning eyes and down your freckled cheeks, and hit the corner of your perfect pink lips before falling off your softly curved jaw. I remember touching those tantalizing lips with my pointer finger, and trailing the path the salty drops left behind. My finger followed the path, making one of its own in a dark red. Your skin was so soft, like velvet sheets, so delicate under my palm. You were perfect.

The expression on your face was indescribable. You were horrified. The terror on your face was obvious. Sweat coated your face in a light sheen, you shuttered under my touch, but that wouldn't stop me. I leaned in closer, my mouth near pressing against your cheek, I could smell the sweat, and I could hear your heart beat. Oh your heart beat. Thumpthump. Thumpthump. Thumpthump. No part of you was calm, your chest heaved up in down and your breathe was getting caught in your throat.