BOOK ONE | jace wayland imagines

8. shadows on the subway part one

STORY CREATED BY oneshot-manyfandoms

The air in the tunnel sucked in as the approaching train shot it's way into the platform. You followed the crowd and stepped onto the tube, appreciating the space a 9pm commute offered and taking one of the quad seats. You stretched your legs out and onto the seat in front of you, prepared to stare out and do your usually post-work zone out. While it wasn't the most stressful job in the world, being a barista at Java Jones always left your cheeks sore from smiling and mind cluttered with rude comments from caffeine deprived customers.On the plus side you constantly smelt like coffee.

The train took off, shaking a bit and the overhead light flickering on as the underground tunnel cut out the sky. Out of the corner of your eye you saw the closest person to you was a tall woman, pale and shaking. A druggie? you wondered to yourself, No. She's dressed too nice to be a user, or at least one that would eat your face like that that guy in Florida...
Something was clearly wrong, and not just because she had chosen to rock a blazer with massive shoulder pads. Damn. You knew you had to ask.

"Ma'am, you alright?"
You asked, pulling your headphones from your ears and sitting upright.
She looked up sharply, her face flashing from shock to fear to something you couldn't quite put your finger on.
"Well aren't you sweet," she said, wringing her hands, "I'm-I'm ok. Just been a long day. A long century."
You laughed, "yeah I feel that."
Her mouth turned into a smile, but you felt yourself instinctively press against the back of your seat.
"Um, can I help you? Do you need help?"
"Yes actually, now that you mention it..." she said moving closer and taking the seat next to you. Crap. You had not intended to make friends on the train today.
"I'm feeling a bit...well drained. I need something to help..." It was there, in the woman's unnervingly steady eye contact that it dawned on you. The expression you couldn't figure out earlier- it was hunger.
Instinctively you slid your hand into your jacket pocket and wrapped your fingers around your keys. Best case, she was going to ask for cash for McDonalds. Worst case you could use your keys and go all low-budget Wolverine on her face, and jump off at the next stop.

"You're taking Fast Food to a whole new level." You and the woman jerked your heads up to see a young guy with blonde hair and an annoyingly defined jawline. The woman grabbed hold of your wrist but turned her gaze on the guy.
"Nephlim," you heard her almost growl at him.
"Alive and in the flesh, which is more than I can say for you" he said, pulling out an object from behind his back and lunging towards the woman. Instantly she dropped your wrist and moved with ridiculous speed, appearing behind the guy-sharp teeth bared. But he was ready for her and ducked sweeping his leg under hers. As she fell you saw something glint in the guys hand. A knife. No. A sword? Oh God, I'm about to witness a murder!
"No!" You screamed running at the blonde guy. Surprised he turned to meet the exclamation and fell as your shoulder make contact with his chest. The weapon scattered out of his hand and you scrambled to pick it up.
"Both of you just stop!" you shouted, holding the blade in front of you with both hands. "No one is killing..or eating...anyone!" Your hands were steady but your voice held a wild confusion.
The woman smirked, "Oh, silly mundane."

What happened next only took a few seconds, but felt like it was in slow motion. You saw the guy open his mouth wide, yelling. You saw something that reflected fear rise in his blue eyes. But you didn't hear any noise. All of your focus turned to the woman, who's grimace and hands reached out for you. Her skin so white it made her lips look they were covered in blood. And then they were. Blood coated her bottom lip and a trickle slid down her chin. Confused you looked down, seeing the blade your hands still clutched now stuck in the woman's gut. Upon realizing what had happened time sped up to it's normal pace, sending you falling back onto the nearest seat and the woman writhing on the floor. You looked across her to the equally shocked guy "You...I...I didn't..." You didn't know whether you should defend or explain yourself.
"You shouldn't of been able to do that. You shouldn't of seen..." the guy muttered, keeping his eyes on you but picking up the body of the now still woman.
You looked down at your shaking hands, covered in blood so dark it carried tints of black. You wanted to scream but the reality of what you'd just done hollowed you out. "Oh God."
Suddenly the PA system dinged, signaling the opening of the doors onto the new platform.
"Don't." The guy said, reading your desire to run. But you weren't wanting to stick around. You may be running from the scene of a crime, but considering he's the one who brought the weapon on the train, you figured you'd be justified in getting away from him. Right before the doors closed you grabbed your backpack and bolted for the platform, running past the people waiting to step on and up the stairs. You didn't stop to warn people or explain; you just ran until you broke the surface and were standing in the open air outside the station doors.
Breathing heavily and shoving your hands in your pockets you threw your head about making sure the guy hadn't followed. When you felt you were alone you sunk to the cement. Images of the woman's face, the smell of that blood that still stained your skin, and the guy's final words as you ran overwhelmed you.
"They will come for you."