CRIMSON TAINTED [BOOK 1]

12. The Odd Amongst Us

Amber walked for miles down the road that led to her house. For some reason, it felt ten times longer than it usually did. Amber had decided to hang with her friends after school. Having too much fun to realize much time had passed, she missed the last bus that always brought students back to town. And now, she had to resort to walking.

The cold of the evening seeped through her clothing and the soft tapping of her footsteps seemed loud. No sooner had Amber cut a corner, she felt as if she was being watched, followed. She turned to look behind but all she saw was the lonely road plunged in near darkness.

Amber kept moving slowly but that's when she heard footsteps; very faint ones, but they were still there. Feeling uneasy, she dared to slightly glance back and saw someone a couple of feet behind her. The manly figure was darkly dressed, an aura of imminent danger seeming to emanate from him. Strange, she thought. He had appeared out of nowhere. Glancing behind her again, the man was nowhere in sight. Amber decided to do the one thing she could only think of.

Run.

Amber broke into a run, clenching her bag close to her. Her brown curls bounced back and forth against her back as it whipped around from the wind that picked up around her. Darting down the road, making left and right turns at bends didn't make her feel better. Amber felt like she was in a horror movie; she being a victim running away
om the antagonist, the one who is likely prone to take her life. She cast glances around, desperately.

After running for a while, Amber gradually slowed her running to pacing. Taking in deep breaths, she turned around, her gaze meeting the empty road that stretched far out. Trees swayed in the breeze on either side of it. She felt a sudden strong hand land on her right shoulder, leaving goosebumps to cover her skin. Amber quickly twirled around, her breath caught in her throat as her gaze met the man in front of her.

It was Callus, his brooding gaze held Amber's with a cold glint. He had found his prey. "Hello." He said smoothly.

"Who are you and why are you stalking me!? Amber summoned little courage, her tone, antsy as she slowly backed away from him.

Callus chortled. "Let's say I desperately need a taste of your life essence." Amber's facial expression were that of confusion and terror altogether. With casual grace, Callus moved in on her

"Get away from me you freak," Her voice was high, agitated. "or I swear to God, I'll bash your nose into your . . . arrgh!" she yelled. Amber had stepped back, but the heel of her shoe twisted and she lost her footing. Her leg shot up into the air and she went down head first with a thud on the hard asphalt.

Dazedly, Amber held up her head to see Callus moving towards her. His posture reminded her of a wild bear coming to check out its prey.

Amber could feel the blood dripping down the right side of her face. Callus came to a stop in front of her. He smiled and bent down, and to her disgust, ran his finger up her right cheek. It came away bloody. Her blood is a trickle his tongue embraces. Her heart raced madly and Callus could hear it, he liked it that way.

"You're really not in the position to be making threats, are you?"

"P-please let me go, I have to get back home." Amber exclaimed, feeling anxious. Scared.
Callus kneeled in front of her, taking her face in one hand - that cold, stone hand. It sent an uncomfortable chill down her spine, they were eye level.

"You see, I can't do that sweetheart. Your blood is so appealing, I need to bite you, and you will bleed. You may fight it, but I must feed. It's my circle of life." Callus spoke, his stubbly, chiseled, square jaw barely moving. His rich auburn hair was a perpetual tangle, a tendril fell over one of his eyes. His pale white face looked completely unreal.