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The front door opened with a soft squeak He heard the jingle of her keys as she carefully locked up the house She appeared to be such a cautious little thing, locking her doors like a good little girl As if that would save her

Her back was to hio her, to take her now She would never even knohat had happened

But that wouldn't be any fun So he waited Silent Watchful

She walked down the stone steps, her padded shoes ainst the concrete When she reached the sidewalk, she paused, her gaze sweeping around the area He knew she wouldn't see hi his presence

She walked down the sidewalk

Where was she going at such a late hour? Hadn't her erous?

He crept behind her, inhaling her scent He could smell her shampoo It reminded him of apples He'd always loved apples

She still had her keys in her hand They were clenched between her fingers He almost s fiercely in her breast, and he could alh her veins Sweet, sweet blood Oh, how he loved the taste…

He crept closer, trailing her by mere inches

She never turned around The street was completely empty All of the houses were dark No one could see her Or hiently

She screa to scratch hihed as the keys cut into his face

His arainst hiround

«Hello, pretty lady,” he whispered, his eyes blood red “I've been waiting for you»

Her eyes widened in horrified recognition She opened her ain

He clamped his hand over her hbors, now, do we?” He s her see his teeth

He could smell the rich, heady aroma of her fear He loved the taste of fear “Hold still, love” He licked her throat and felt her tremble

Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes He'd always hated a woman's tears They eak Useless “Are you afraid to die?” He asked her, his voice tender

He felt her slow nod

«That's too bad,” he murmured And he sank his teeth into her throat

«Mary!” Savannah jerked awake, her heart pounding She'd seen her friend so clearly, struggling in the dark waters of the river Screa for her help

A cold knot of dread for Terribly wrong

Beside her, Williaers feathering over his bare shoulders His skin was so cold, and he wasn't breathing He wasn't

«William?»

He didn't answer, but then, she hadn't really expected hiroithin her She was terrified that so had happened to Mary

She slid fro had she slept? How long had she dreamt of a black river that churned with hate?

She slipped on her clothes and grabbed her key She had to call Mary She had to ht