* Oh just something I cooked up, while I was in a dark mood...*
In The Shadows Of A Dark Moon
In the shadows of the forest he waited, for he knew her routine well, she would come soon, and he would follow, and give her what he had saved for this occasion. He fingered the sharp blade in his pocket, he could hardly hold in his anticipation, to taste her sweet blood before the night was over. God how he hated her, her sweetness making him feel powerful and evil. He wanted to see the fear in her eyes before she died, to teach her to fear the night she loved so well. It is dark this night, so perfect, the moon hidden behind the clouds; she would be coming soon as she does every night, when her loved ones fall into deep slumber.
The door opens, and she slides through the narrow opening, a mere slip of a girl, just on the edge of womanhood, beautiful and ripened to perfection. Her hair so long and black, he could not see it fall around her shoulders in soft waves that trail down her back. He does not know what calls out to her, or why she takes these journeys in the night, but he is glad she does, for soon she will learn to fear the night, and he swells with pride to know that he has the power to instill such fear. Her eyes are dark and her skin so very light, he noticed she did not venture out into the day, the night seemed to be the only time he could find her, walking down the lonely paths under the light of the stars that burned so brightly here.
She stopped at the gate, and stared into the forest. Had she seen him? She had never paused before, he slid back behind the large pine, stilled his breathing and his mind, lest she sensed his presence, tuning his ears in her direction, listening for the crunch of dry leaves that would signify her venturing forward for her nightly walk. He smiled when he heard the gate closed, a feral smile, cruel and grim. He dared not move as he sensed her approach, they were far to close to her home, he would wait until she reached the end of her nightly journey and started home again. If he was lucky, he would get to see her dance again, that lovely moon dance that had gotten his blood boiling on more than one occasion.
The sweet smell of jasmine wafted in the air, and he stood like a statue as she passed him and entered the forest. He waited only a few moments longer than followed, her sweet scent guiding him, as no light could. It was strange to him, that she followed such a pattern every night. Touching the trees as she passed them buy, fingering their leaves as though they passed some secret to her that he could not hear. There was a light breeze tonight, gently blowing the limbs to and fro, and she stopped so suddenly, that he almost came upon her before he realized she had stopped and had tilted her lovely head as though she were listening to something being whispered to her. Her pace quickened then, and he was hard pressed to keep up with her, without being detected. Still, she reached out now and again, smoothing the bark of the trees as she passed by, touching the leaves and humming some haunting tune with her soft lilting voice.
He hung back as she entered the clearing at the edge of the world. That is what she called it. The path ended suddenly and a single large flat rock jutted out over the ledge. His heart leaped in anticipation, soon …soon his dark desire would be sated, and he would feast on her sweetness. She stood at the edge, staring down, he always wondered at her thoughts there. Did she mean to throw herself down? Why did she come here every night? What did she see in that dark abyss that drew her to its edge? He ran his tongue over his sharpened teeth; maybe he would get the chance to ask her…
The night was almost too dark; he could see her shadow, but not her lovely face, that would soon change! He watched as she laid something down, but it was too dark to see what it was, he blinked trying to sharpen his vision, she had never brought something before, always coming here with empty hands and such sorrow embe dded on her lovely face. He wanted to know everything about her, but knew one look at his face would reveal his intentions; it would be tonight for sure he decided- he could wait no longer. He moved forward, then stopped suddenly…she had raised her hands, she was going to dance!
The night was dark, but he could see her still, she pirouetted like a ballet dancer, raising her arms like a prayer to a god he did not believe in. Slowly she raised her leg and turned slowly, in a graceful and lovely move that took his breath away, she began to dance. How he wished he could hear the music that played in her heart, for the dance was lovely, she pleaded with the clouds that covered the dark moon, she held out her palms to spirits he could not see, she danced and swayed her lovely hips to a music he could not hear. His breathing became ragged as he watched and felt his need for her grow. When it ended, he almost cried out for her not to stop, so lovely, so tragic, and so beautiful it was!
But it was time, and he approached her as she stood with her back to him…He approached her silent and with deadly intent, seeking to overcome her quickly and satisfy his lust before he tasted her blood, and become one with her soul. He was almost within striking range when she turned around, and stared into his eyes, with no fear whatsoever…
He froze in his tracks, his plan foiled! He wanted to surprise her, taste her fear before he began to ravage her body. Her eyes! Her eyes glowed sliver! Reflecting the moon that had hidden behind those dark clouds! She smiled, her lips plump and rosy, ruby red, as if they were stained by those berries they had passed on the way to her secret place. He drank in her beauty, her absence of fear, her silence; she should be trying to run away! She spoke in a soft whisper, he had never heard her speak…only heard the soft humming that rumbled in his chest as he followed her night after night.
“Its time for us to dance…” she said, holding out her hand to him. His whole body was trembling…this was not what he expected at all! His heart was racing…was this some kind of trick? Her smile burned in his eyes, her lips…he wanted to taste those lips…He moved forward attempting to reach for her, but she backed away, staying just out of his reach, forcing him forward lest he lose her…She curled her finger at him, how much he wanted to taste her! He moved slowly, feeling his stomach tighten in anticipation of his lust he would soon release! She continued backing away, forcing him to come closer and closer, how she danced even as he approached! He watched enraptured as she stood Swaying and closing her lovely eyes, now opening them and giving him such a thrill that course through his veins setting his heart afire. He never took his eyes off her, even as she whirled behind him, now forcing him back even more, teasing and enticing him, stepping closer and closer to his waiting arms, he could move no further, lest he fall into that edge she peered so intently over night after night. His breathing was ragged and came in short bursts, as she leaned forward and pursed her sweet lips, blowing him a kiss, She bent swiftly bringing up the thing she had thrown to the ground earlier, it gleamed in the sudden light as the moon slipped from behind the cloud, and he saw then in her eyes, a hunger that mirrored his own, and for the first time, a twinge of fear leaped into his heart. But she was so tiny! What harm could this mere wisp of a girl do to him? His answer came quickly, for without quite knowing what was happening, he felt a sting on his face and warm wetness dripped a thin stream onto his chin. She smiled then, and it was a full lipped grin, that stretched ear to ear. She whirled in her graceful way, her arm swinging in a full arc as she slashed his chest and he reared back trying to minimized the blow…But she was too fast for him, and she ripped opened his neck with another blazingly swift slash that had him grabbing at his throat. His final step back brought him to close to the edge and he teetered back and forth, trying desperately to save himself. She reached out her hand to him, fingers extending outward and dipped her fingers in the blood spurting from his torn throat, she placed them in her mouth, licking them clean, “Damn good,” was the last thing he heard, as he plunged to the earth.
The moon slid back behind the cloud, as she peered over the edge, listening to the sound of his body crashing in the ocean below. Then she turned and headed home, in the shadow of a dark moon.
Very good writing. You seem to be in your element, sure of your voice, and well-versed in your craft. I thouroughly enjoyed this piece. You are very gifted.
Reindeer - Hi! First, let me thank you for your gracious comments on my "biscuit" piece. I went to your site out of both curiosity, as well as curtesy, WOW - you are Deep, Lady! While I fully anticipated the Irony lurking in this piece, your choice of verbs and adverbs had me thinking of Bram Stoker's Dracula! Such sweet revenge, my Sweet! The swiftness of justice brought to mind an old Classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Like most humans, I believe each of us has within, a duplex or double personality, perhaps bordering on Shizophrenia, and you manage to capture the essence of "The Dark Side" superbly! Your pen flows with a saline crimson, my Dear! Tom.
damn good. and so the hunter becomes the hunted, unawares. a wonderful tale told skillfully and quite hauntingly. you definitely have a style about you that is singular, your vantage clearly from a place beyond. wonderful work, this.
Reviewed by Scooter Marett
3/24/2003
First rate. Love a good tale of paradigm breakage. -Scooter
She was quite capable of taking care of herself...She appreciated everything he was doing for her and the Grandmothers Four, but she needed his help, not for him to take over.
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