The Hunt
From his vantage point he watched her dance. She was almost a regular by now. Three times back to back in any single week made anyone a regular anywhere. This isn’t like her. Something must be wrong. Sure, she drank when here; but this week finds her drinking far heavier than normal. This has got to stop! She may not yet know that she is his. It does not matter, not now. She will keep this up till she dies for sure.
His attention brought back to the here and now; his gut tightens at the sight of the man she was dancing with. “Enjoy the dance now. For, once she knows she is mine. You and the other imposters will not get that joy again.” Picturing the imposters standing against him he growled in readiness for the coming fight. The sound of a dropped glass snapped him back to reality and he noticed she was gone. “Dammit, not again.” He made his way outside, with a lucky gust of wind he caught her scent.
Immediately his head snapped left; following the scent to see her staggering, weaving form. As he made his way closer, he could not help but notice the shadows following her. With a menacing snarl and a flash of white teeth, all but one of the shadows melted away. His pace quickened until he was abreast a skinny mustached man. Her dark protector faced Mr. Mustache who locked eyes with the larger, deadlier predator. The smaller and weaker of the two nodded, as an early acquiesce to defeat rather than face this hulk in combat.
Now it was time to be sure she entered her home safely. He took his usual perch on the roof of the building across the alley. This girl was a mess. He watched as she stumbled into her apartment. Starting a list of things to change, the lack of curtains was a top priority. Next would be how little attention she seems to pay to her own security, the door still wide open behind her. He was sure there would be more. This for now, was the start.
Practically falling out of her shoes and garments she scowled at the open door as if upset that it didn’t shut itself. She half-heartedly kicked it closed as she passed by. Her would-be hero was not surprised that the door didn’t fully shut. Now wearing just her black panties she danced her way towards the back of her apartment. She disappeared; not even a full minute, before she came running back for the bathroom. Even though she is 22 stories up, this carelessness would be anyone’s undoing, especially here.
In the shadows he could see the others as they hunted her. As he surveyed the shadows, he could see the shine off the eyes of the other predators. “Foolish girl has made herself a bona-fide prey.” The other’s intentions were far more distasteful that what he had in mind. He ran into the once thriving business, now a ghost of its former glory. “Much like me.” His internal commentary mocked. Practically taking the stairs a landing a time, she was his and his alone to hunt. He focused on long slow breaths to lower his heart rate. Adrenaline still buzzed through his system, sharpening the scents around him. The door man held the door open for him, with a smile and a polite wave. They had long since stopped questioning his presence. He used his key card to gain access to the elevator. Isn’t it amazing what tipping well will get you?
In his peripheral he noticed a shadow which had decided to hitch a ride with him. “She is not yours.” The mirrored walls vibrated with the force of his growl. In response the shadow hissed and was gone with a flash of light. The doors opened, and all was familiar, how often had he walked this path to ensure her safety. Her door swung open, almost at his mere approach, like a spectral being was welcoming him home. Thankfully there were no shadows or eye shine here, he had made it just in time. In a single motion he closed and locked the door. He heard her stumble and for a moment the world stopped. Sure, he’d been in here before, but she had always been completely passed out. Just how coherent is she…
He melted into the nearest shadow and watched her as she stumbled to the bedroom, gracelessly readjusting her panties. He glared at the mess in the bathroom. He made his way calmly through the apartment, gathering a blanket from the hall closet. A glance in the bedroom revealed what he’d expected to see, practically naked, passed out, helpless on the floor. Wrapping her in the blanket he scooped her up, effortlessly cradling her in the nook of his left arm. He noted and hated how light she seemed. In this light it became more evident that her collar bones left cavities in her skin and her arms were nearly skeletal. The diet pills would be next on the list.
Carefully, he lay her still form on the bed, covering her from her chin to her toes. This would be the last time he cleaned up after her revelry of self-loathing.