Night Crawling

"Although he was somewhat off-putting, it was hard not to think that he was handsome. Looking around the room, I realized I was not the only one who thought this. Nearly every woman- and a man or two-stared at him, admiring his good looks. One woman whispered something to her friend and the two giggled as they continued sneaking glances in his direction. It was obvious that he was the main focus of everyone in the room, but he seemed completely oblivious. Actually, no, I don't think that was the case. I suspected he knew and just didn't care.

And then suddenly, his eyes met mine.

They were completely black, extraordinarily beautiful, and absolutely terrifying. They were like those of a wild animal. It felt like they were staring deep into my soul and reading up on every sin I had ever committed, but although they were able to look through me so easily, they didn't grant me the same privilege. Any emotion he had- if he had any- his eyes refused to give any hint at what they were.

I quickly looked away."

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Sixteen-year-old Vivienne crawls out her first-story bedroom window in the middle of the night and takes a bus ride to get as far away from her oppressive, controlling mother as she can. She finds her temporary refuge in a sleazy motel in the heart of downtown Houston and makes an unexpected acquaintanceship with the handsome, but strange man staying a few doors down.