skineater (closed)

[Captainsassypants]

Robyn Ducane

​

Robyn puller her coat closer around herself as she stepped out into the cool night air turning to lock the doors of the tiny bookstore where she worked. She had stayed at the store long after it closed, taking the time ,without customers to get in the way, to rearrange the shelves and make room for new titles. The job didn't pay much and she was just barely able to pay her bills each month but she loved it. She could think of nothing better than to spend her day surrounded by books breathing in their musty smell. As well as that she had the added perk of having first pick of the books, and was able to spend most of her time reading said books, as they were usually not very busy. Today however had been a busier day than most which was what had kept her so late. In truth there was no real need for her to have stayed late. Her coworkers had gone home hours ago. Maybe it was because she just wasn't ready to go home to her empty apartment yet or it was that she simply enjoyed the time alone with the books. The true reason she stayed was not that important.


Once she heard the familiar click of the lock moving into place she jiggled the handle of the door just to be sure. She then wrapped her arms around herself and started off in the direction of her apartment. The streets were empty and quiet. She was alone for the most part, save from a car passing by her every now and again. She watched her shadow stretching out before her as she walked the only light coming from the soft glow of street lamps. She was still a few blocks from her home and she eventually decided to take a shortcut down a smaller side street. That was a decision she immediately regretted. Before she had even taken more than a few steps down the alley there was a rustling ahead of her and then a figure stepped out blocking her path."What have we here?" He spoke, slowly stalking towards her. The man was nothing more than a dark silhouette looming over her at first but as he neared her and light hit him it revealed the threatening look the shined in his eyes.


"Little girls shouldn't play in the dark. Don't you know that's where the monsters hide?" He laughed darkly and reached into his pocket. Robyn's eyes grew in size as every hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she backed up slowly preparing to turn and run as fast as she could. The man seemed to guess her thoughts and continued to advance towards her. Once close enough he grabbed her wrist tightly causing her to wince before he jerked her forward and shoved her into a wall. "Now, now. Don't go so soon the fun has only just begun." he said moving his face closer to hers. She could feel his hot breath on her face, making her cringe and turn her face to the side. "Leave me alone! GET OFF! HEL-" She fought against him and screamed but her scream was cut off abruptly by his hand covering her mouth. Her struggling suddenly came to a stop as she felt something sharp and cold touch her neck making her whimper as fear paralyzed her. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I WILL get what I want but if you cooperate I might consider letting you go" He growled

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Ash Karma

​

The last thing Ash had remembered was being buried alive.


A burning in his chest had spread from his ribs to his throat, a sore aching feeling that wrapped tightly around him. He shifted his head from side to side but the only thing he could see was a long. rectangular tunnel descending into the sky. Small slivers of light from the night sky stared down at him, mocking him with their freedom. He attempted to sit up, but found his now numb limbs were bound and shackled by large iron chains. He felt panic rise in his chest, his tongue going dry. He opened his mouth to scream, but as soon as his jaws wrenched open, a barrel full of dirt came crashing down onto his face. He felt chunks of dirt and grass fall into his throat making him gag and cough as his yells became louder. "No! Help!" He heard the heavy laugh of someone familiar, a feminine voice dripping with malice. "S-someone!" cough cough "Please!"


His worse fears were coming to reality, gripping his body and shoving him into his own nightmare. Gritting his teeth he kept his mouth shut, clamping his lids closed as shovels scrapped at the ground above. Cold earth filled the cracks around him, he could do nothing to stop this. He'd die in here, alone and hungry. Where was his mistress when he needed her? Where was his guide...

~~~

​

A beeping sound ripped Ash from his deep slumber. The ground shaking around him. He could hear loud screeches and grinding coming from the world above him, seemingly growing louder and louder. Footsteps rumbled the soft clay overhead, the sound of people making his stomach leap. How long had he been down there? How much longer would he have to wait? Hunger gnawed at the back of his throat, his mouth salivating as the smell of flesh grew nearer and nearer. A long claw ripped up the earth above his head, freeing his body into the artificial stadium lights.


"Holy shit!" A man exclaimed, turning off the engine of his machine and clambering down to see what he'd dug up. The only thing visible of the ashen-blond male was his face and shoulders, eyelids stuck shut tightly. He unearthed him, yelling and panting as sweat dripped from his light-brown forehead. "Guys guys! I think he needs help!" Ash tried to move, but remembered the chains that bound him, keeping him from twitching, breathing, or even speaking. Like a spell. One of the men came bustling over, a large red bolt-cutter grasped firmly in his hand. "He looks like he's been in there for a long time. Should we call the police?" One asked, while the others stood back and watched the links being cut into slivers.


The chains loosened around him, breaking the heavy enchantment.


Now wandering the streets, Ash glanced back at the empty work site. There was no sign that anyone had been occupying the workspace, except for the running machinery. He cleared his throat, light-green eyes glancing from side to side as the memories of the workers embedded themselves into his skull. He cringed, his hand falling over his mouth that was shut tightly. Why, why did you do it? Why did you kill those men? He ran his hand down his soft neck, the burning in his throat and churning in his stomach never seizing to stop. He gazed around him, his environment foreign and unappealing. The grass was dying, the air smelled putrid, his trees were lost, and he was alone. The sound of chirping crickets kept him company as he walked barefoot down the road. His body was covered in ancient hemp clothing, soot and grass staining him. A large hole in the middle of his shirt showed pale skin, and a thick scar running between his breastbones. He breathed in the putrid-smelling air, and paused. Something new drifted into his senses, making his body grow tense. It was sweet, like sunshine. He breathed in the scent, following its trail until something caught his eye. He pressed his body against the ally wall, a cloud of shadows suddenly wrapping around him. It was almost like a camouflage, something he'd learned about himself when he was just a young lad. It had come in use when the farmer would go searching for him along his crops, trying to catch the chicken thief. A slippery voice filtered into his ears, the smell of the man's soul foul and disgusting. His mind reached with the disgusting dark-minded man's thoughts, making him growl under his breath. He peered around the corner, catching a glimpse of a small woman being handled with a knife. His eyes met hers, even though she wouldn't be able to see him, he looked into her pupils. Something glimmered, making his chest ache and head pound. He needed her.


Instincts took hold of him and rammed his mind into a swirling cloud. His judgement scattered, all common sense seizing to hold up against the animal that ravaged his insides. The shroud of darkness fell, and a blur of pale skin and green eyes was seen for barely a heartbeat. Suddenly the tall ancient male was grasping the attacker by the arm, his grip so tight the man's bones scraped, shattering against each-other. A yelp of pure agony escaped the man;s throat as he dropped the girl, trying to free himself of the calm-faced man.


Hundreds of needle fine teeth fell from Ash's gums, crowding his mouth in a sea of white death. "Didn't your ma teach you how to treat ladies?" He breathed, eyes shining under the moon's light. The man opened his mouth to speak, but only smiled. The attacker lunged his knife into the side of the strange man, a deep squishing sound telling him his target had been met. The pain made Ash's lids open wide, his pupils shank and suddenly all the humanity within his eyes had vanished. His mouth opened wide, long thin teeth sinking deep into the pig's neck. A sickening gush of blood splashed across his face. Ash ripped his head to the side, sinews of muscle detaching from the man's body and ripping his skin. A long slab of red meat dangled from the creature's mouth. He tilted his head back, allowing the flesh to fall down his throat and splash into his stomach with satisfaction.


Pale-faced, and choking on his own stupidity, the dirty man fell to the ground, leaving a long streak of scarlet along the gravel as he scrambled to back away, one hand covering the gaping hole in his neck. He sputtered and groaned, life leaving him so quick he barely had enough time to cough up his own blood.


The blond haired man turned towards the girl in a heap on the ground, his crazed eyes now growing with concern. "Are you hurt?" he asked, her scent traveling into his face, hitting him almost like a wall. He swallowed hard, his gaze pinned onto her pupils, a light shining through so brightly it made him almost quiver. He extended his hand, nails shrinking from long talons into soft fingertips.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Robyn's attacker grinned a toothy grin seeming pleased with the small whimper she let out that were then muffled by his hand. Why is this happening to me. Didn't anyone hear me? She thought but then remembered how empty the streets had been. Of course no one heard her there was no one to hear her. She was alone and no one was going to come rescue her. At least that was what she thought. The man trailed the knife down lower making her squirm. She was trying to work up her courage, telling herself if she didn't save herself then she wasn't going to be saved at all. As he continued to move the knife lower her eyes flashed with her new found confidence and she opened her mouth biting down on his hand as hard as her could. "OW! Fucking bitch!" The man exclaimed pulling his hand holding the knife away from her and trying to get his other hand out of her mouth. She took the moment of distraction as an opportunity to try to grab the knife. Her small hand wrapping over his on the handle trying to pull it from his grasp. Once he caught on to what she was trying to do he tore the knife way it slipped through her hand and sliced her palm. She cried out from the sharp stinging pain now radiating from her palm which allowed the man to get his hand free and shove her into the wall with all his force. Her head hit the concrete behind her and for a second her vision blurred and she felt dizzy while her head began to pound.


Robyn wasn't quite sure what happened next. In one instant the man was getting ready to assault her with the knife for a second time and in the next moment he was pulled away, letting her drop to the ground. She held her bleeding hand while her head continued to spin. It was a few seconds before she looked up to see who, or what, had saved her. Her eyes grew larger than she even knew possible as she drew in a sharp gasp at the sight of the man, if she could even call him that, now holding her attacker like a ragdoll. She opened and closed her eyes a few times. This can not be real. She tried to blame the sight on her hit to the head. She had to be seeing things right? But no matter how many times she opened and closed her eyes the scene before her did not go away. She was beginning to think that she had not been saved at all but was instead trapped in a nightmare. She couldn't help but hide her face squeezing her eyes shut tightly as the strange man sunk his long rows of millions of pointy teeth into the other man's neck. Just the sound of it all happening made her feel sick to her stomach. She couldn't bear the sound of flesh ripping or the man's screams in agony. She had an intense urge to run. If she thought she could slip past them both unnoticed she would have. She was just too afraid to risk turning the other man's rage on to herself.


It was only a minute or two later that it all came to an end and she dared to open her eyes again. She saw her attacker now laying on the ground with a gaping hole in his neck. He convulsed a dark red liquid seeping out of the wound and spilling out onto the ground. It was an awful sight but she couldn't look away. Not until she heard the voice of the other man, suddenly reminding her that she was not safe yet. Quickly her head snapped back so that her eyes fell on him, but to her surprise he looked normal now. Or as normal as he could as he was wearing strange clothes that seemed to be half falling apart. For a second she wondered if she had only imagined his terrifying mouth of teeth. Regardless of if it was imagined or not, he had still somehow managed to rip a huge hole out of the other man's neck. ."Stay away from me!" She tried to keep her voice from shaking but failed. She backed herself up further against the wall trembling as his hand extended towards her. She glance from side to side as if looking for a way to escape before her gaze turned back to him watching him carefully, afraid of what he might do.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

He stared at her, trembling in place. She stepped back, pressing her back against the wall and yelling to him. He glanced from the dead man, back to the frightened woman and let his hand drop. He realized how incredibly awful that must have looked to a regular human. He forgot that there were other beings in this world that reacted to the sight of blood and flesh differently. "I'm sorry you had to witness that." He mumbled, his accent ancient, almost like it had a thick Scottish undertone. He stepped back from her, half his face shrouded in darkness to cover the blood that had splashed across his cheek. "He would have hurt you if it weren't for me." His voice was soft, and low."You can tell yourself this didn't happen all you want. Hell you can tell everyone you know, but they won't believe you." He stared at her, his bright green hues looking almost animal-like. "Have a good evening."


With that, Ash slipped away into the shadows.


Miles away, just on the outskirts of the city, Ash was slamming his fists hard against a tree, his teeth clenched almost as tightly as his hands. He'd been foolish, completely giving himself up to the open. He'd been back on this earth less then a day and he'd already paved himself a road straight back into the pit he'd been thrown in. Ash racked his brain, trying to stretch his memory back to before he'd been buried. Left to rot.


But all he could come up with, was blackness. His hand flitted along the gaping hole in his shirt, touching the soft scar-tissue of a mark he had no recollection of obtaining. With a sigh, Ash climbed the thick trunk, nestling himself in the crook between the branch and the thick stump. He ran fingers through his hair, hoping that by sunrise he'd have a plan. He spent the rest of the passing hours resting his eyes, counting the stars, and carving old markings that slipped through his mind into the sodden bark.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Robyn stood in place all her nerves on edge as a long moment of silence passed between them. She was still finding it incredibly hard to believe what had just happened before her. She was trying to piece it together in her head and make sense of it of it all but the only conclusion she came to was that she hit her head and started seeing things. Therefor anything she might have remembered seeing was unreliable and could not be trusted as reality. She only continued to silently stare at him as he finally spoke, breaking the silence. Her eyes narrowed in thought as she tried to place the accent, but it wasn't quite like anything she had heard before. She immediately gave up trying to figure it out her full attention back on him when she saw him move from the corner of her eye. To her relief it was only to move away from her rather than closer. And when he spoke again she frowned because she knew that he was right. If he hadn't come she could be hurt much worse than she was or even dead. Despite knowing that she was finding it hard to see him in a good light when she had just watched him kill another person in front of her. Normal people didn't just decide to kill other people so quickly, and especially not by ripping a huge chunk out of their neck. Speaking of which, she still couldn't figure out how he had managed to do that, if the teeth thing had just been her imagination. She was able to relax a little when it became apparent that he didn't intend to hurt her, but the animalistic look he got in his eye made her swallow hard. Luckily in the next instant he was gone leaving her alone in the alley, breathing hard and staring off in the direction he had gone


It hadn't taken her long after that to run home. She quickly showed rinsing what blood had gotten on her off and bandaging up her hand before falling into bed feeling shaken and tired. The next morning she woke up letting out a breath of relief thinking she had only dreamed the events but the bandage around her hand told her otherwise. As she went about her day like she couldn't get the image of the man with pale blonde hair and vivid green eyes out of her head. She trying doing everything she could to distract herself but he kept pushing forward to the front of her head. It began to affect her work. She was so distracted that she couldn't even tell a customer the location of a book she had seem a million times. Stop thinking about it! She yelled at herself inside her head. Determined to forget the events from the night before,she picked up a book to read as long as there were no customers for her to help. She just needed to keep her mind busy. Then she would be able to go about her life like nothing had ever happened. She just wanted to forget everything and act normal again.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

By the time the sun had begun to rise above the putrid-smelling city, Ash had left his post in the outskirts. With the memories of the people of this time burning inside him, he had come to notice his old ways were incredibly odd for normal human acts. He ran through the forest, a faint blur as he flitted forward. He stopped just outside of a camp-ground, the community bathrooms reeking as he slipped inside.


For the first time in centuries he stole a glance at his face. His eyes were an inhumanly light green, almost glowing as he stared into the pinprick pupils in the reflection. His skin was tight, cheeks sinking in as hunger grasped his throat once more. He could see the brooding purple hue cleanly lick his lids, making him look sick. The veins along his forehead and face protruded, long thick light-blue vessels carrying poison under his translucent skin. He blinked at himself, noting the crusted blood along his face, and the dirt under his nails. Gazing at his tattered thin clothing, he scoffed. There was no way he'd be able to pass as a regular human in this world. Not like this.


Before anyone could enter the small building he shot out, quickly shifting into the city with a gust of wind. He took to the shadows as dawn had barely begun, slinking in and out of the streets. He closed his eyes, mind traveling through the sleeping city in search for something, anything of use. It didn't take him long to find a small house, inhabited by one young man. The dreaming human was drooling on his satin pillow, a string of clothing spewed along the carpets. Ash gazed around him, staring at the different bitter-smelling substances that littered his coffee table and bedside desk. The creature didn't waste time, his hand falling over the unsuspecting victim's mouth as he snoozed. Blue hues shot open, a look of panic in his eyes. His hand shot out from under the pillow, producing a silver shaped object with a gaping hole at the end. There was an audible click as the stranger pulled his thumb back.


Bang!


Something bit deep into Ash's side, making a grunt of pain fall form his lips. He squeezed the muscles in his abdomen, the metal that had shot into his torso suddenly falling to the floor. "Holy sh--" the man managed to exclaimed before his jugular was taken between thin teeth. The only sounds that he produced after that were soft spasms of pleas, and a gurgling sound that was quickly seized. Drinking the blood of Matthew, his name popping into his head as the life was drained from him, Ash ripped the sliver of flesh between his teeth and proceeded to devour his meal. Long talons protruded form his fingertips, shredding the man's clothing. He sliced his skin into ribbons, sliding the flesh into his belly with little effort. Every bite he took, tears stung his quivering features. The hunger that gnawed at his chest was the only thing that propelled him to continue eating. Bones crushed between his molars, making dust in his mouth turn to paste. Eventually the only thing that had been left of the man were his thinly cracked ribs, sliding one by one into his jaws, and the clean skull. Eyeless holes stared into his soulless eyes as a nail racked around the top of the white bone. He popped it open, his body shaking with uncontrollable sobs. The soft pink-grey flesh that he scooped into his mouth caused an explosion of Matthew's thoughts to ignite behind his eyelids. He slumped to the floor, blood staining his fingertips. Uncontrollable cries rippled through his chest, sending waves of salt and water down his face. He placed the back of his hand over his mouth, back pressed tightly to the man's dresser. He screamed at himself, gripping his hair between his fingers and placing his forehead on his knees. I understand now.


An hour had passed, and Ash was now leaning his forehead against the cool granite wall of Matthew's shower stall. Hot water splashed against his naked body, making a river of dirt and blood wash down the drain. He washed his body slowly, gazing into the drain as silence settled over him. His scorched skin was now its normal pale, not veins showing, now bags under his eyes. He ran his tongue along perfectly straight human teeth, his hair now dripping with soap and water. Matthew Overbrook had been a drug-dealer, his clients trying to contact him all morning. Texts and numerous calls had come through, all of which demanding a clutter of drugs. Ash had to finally answer after a long while, explaining he had taken the dealer's place in the complex ranks. He'd explained the man was now in wholesale, and the only way to contact him was through Karma. However, his name had not been given out.


Turning the water off, Ash stepped out into the cold air, his skin riddled with goosebumps as the water evaporated from his body. He wiped his hand across the steamed mirror, staring deep into his green eyes for the third time that day. He couldn't accept himself. Baring his teeth he gripped the sides of the porcelain sink, his hands biting so deep her felt the hard surface crumble under his palms. Long cracks developed along the sides, dust falling to the floor. He released, causing large chunks to rattle to the floor. He gazed down at his cut hands, watching the blood pool as the wounds healed quickly, leaving thin pink scars. Ash wiped his blood along the mirror, and returned to the bedroom where he quickly dressed himself.


His reflection stared back at him, his lightly combed ashen hair slicked back as it dried in the sun. He bore a black long-sleeved button up shirt, a black and green tie hanging loose around his neck. Black jeans clung to his thighs, making his figure seem slender, large chunky boots cluncking against the sidewalk as he walked towards the bookstore. He had followed the woman's scent from the night prior, her sweet smell completely attracting his attention. Something about her made curiosity burn inside his mind. Why had he left her as a bystander? She'd seen how clean he'd swiped the life from that man, witnessed his unnatural abilities, and yet he allowed her to live. Why? Why had he needed to rescue her small heart? Why had he felt so... human? The soft bell on top of the door chimed as he stepped in, the smell of mildew-covered books making him smile slightly. His eyes fell on the soft blond curls, and captivating light eyes of the girl he'd seen last night. Adverting his eyes he wandered to a long row of magazines, just a few paces away from the front desk. He grabbed a glossy book, a bright garden on the front. He pretended to shift through the pages, all the while watching the girl move.

 

[Captainsassypants]

The day rolled on slowly there were long lulls between customers and still Robyn continued to feel very out of it. Reading had help a little bit but she still couldn't shake the strange feeling in her chest. It was understandable of course. Taking into consideration all that she had witnessed the night before. It only made sense that she would still be a little anxious and on edge. It might have been best if she had called out of work, taking the day to recoup, but that wasn't an option. If she took a day off that meant throwing a days worth of money down the drain and she couldn't afford that. She was already behind on her rent and was only scraping by by surviving off of ramen. She was afraid if she didn't get caught up soon she was going to be kicked out and have to find somewhere else to live. Which wasn't easy to do considering how expensive everything was. Her apartment was the only half way decent place she found that was even remotely affordable, and still she was struggling to pay for it. It was just that times were hard. Her bookstore job had never really payed much to begin with but as the number of customers they got diminished so did her pay. She was contemplating getting another job. As much as she hated the idea of it , she just wasn't going to make it any other way.


She loved the book store. It was an easygoing job and it spoke to her passion. It was owned by an elderly man named Humphrey who had open it many years ago with his wife. In fact he had renamed the place after her following her death. Ella's Library. He was a sweet old man and Robyn adored him, but he was getting on in years so she began to see less and less of him. Now his son Christopher managed things but even he seemed too busy with other thing to actually come in to the store more than once a month. Most of her interactions with him were over the phone. He would call, ask about the total profits so far and then get very disappointed and angry when she'd tell him, as if it were somehow her fault. The fact of the matter was people just weren't buying as many actual books anymore. Why would they when they could just buy electronic versions? And when they did, they bought them from big chain stores not some little rinky dink place hidden in between rows of buildings. It was just a small unassuming shop that specialized in used and rare books with some new titles scattered in between. Almost no one knew they were there and it seemed most of their client base was dying out.


Luckily she was not the one to answer the phone when Christopher called. Instead her co worker Daniel got that pleasure. She only half listened to the one sided argument going on at the back of the store. She had learned from experience it was best to just agree with Christopher instead of arguing, but Daniel had apparently not learned that lesson yet. So instead of getting involved she turned back to her book. it was a few moments later that the phone was slammed down in huff and Daniel came striding over. "The boss wants us to start stocking only new popular titles and to make all new displays for them at the front." He put the word popular in air quote obviously very unhappy with the new orders. Robyn only sigh and gave a small nod "You work on buying the stock and I'll do the displays" she suggested. setting her book down and standing up from her perch at the counter. She wasn't all too pleased with the new orders either but they didn't bother her as much as they seemed to bother Daniel. She just wished they had come the day before when she was already rearranging things.


Without another word Daniel went to the back to place new book orders while Robyn went to the front taking down her display and gathering a pile of book up in her arms. Between the noise of the phone ringing and then arguing she hadn't even heard the door chime signaling the entrance of someone to the store. So when she looked up from her pile of books catching a glimpse of someone wandering between the rows of books she was a slightly surprised to say the least. She paused in her actions as her pale blue eye scanned over him. His face was obstructed by a gardening magazine so all she could see was the blonde hair and long frame but something about him was vaguely familiar. She just couldn't place it. "Can I help you with anything?" She asked and went back to what she was doing, looking away from him in order to set the stack of books on an empty cart.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Her words almost made him choke on his own tongue, catching him off guard. He placed the small booklet back along the thick stacks, his forest eyes shifting along her body. He took in small figure, and the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. The beating of her heart could be heard from across the room, the veins along her neck jumping with every drum. Her scent wafted over him, making his chest feel tight, and his pupils to grow slightly in size. He stepped towards her, pretending to glance along the genres. "Do you have anything on the Victorian Era?" He asked, his voice cool. He found that the humans of today considered his time to be named after the queen of his age. His accent slipped slightly, but he cleared his throat and continued. "Not many faces in these old bookstores anymore."


Ash had come in long enough to be able to hear every whisper form the back of the room. What are you doing?





((Sorry it's short but they're interacting so I figured it would be a small post. ))

 

[Captainsassypants]

Robyn arranged the books she had just set down, making sure they were neat before she went back to grab another armful placing them with the others. "Uh yeah they're right over th-" Her words cut off when she looked up from the cart to to where the man had been standing, about to point to a shelf not very far away. But he was no longer in that spot, but only a short distance away from her. If she reached out extending her arms a little, she could have touched him. Seeing his face more clearly now she instantly realized why he seemed so familiar. An imagine of him from the night before, blood splatter across his cheek, popped into her head. She shook her head as if it would shake the image out. It took her a moment to finally speak again he mouth hanging slightly open as a breath had caught in her chest. "Are you following me?" She asked ignoring his second statement. She went back to her work feeling the need for something to do. He made her feel extremely uncomfortable, particularly his eyes. Seeing the way he stared at her so intensely made her squirm. But a part of her, one she would never admit to, was intrigued by him, facinated even.


(( It's cool, no need to apologize.))

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

As soon as their eyes met, and he saw the soft glow in her sapphire hues, he felt electricity run through his fingertips. He had the sudden urge to rip into her skin, to lick her blood form his fingertips. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, his imagination going wild. Why am I doing this? Her reaction was to be expected, but the way her breath caught in her throat, and the waver in her voice bit deep into his stomach. For some strange reason, the way she had acted upon realizing who she was, made his tongue go numb. He winced slightly at her question, turning his head away from her, and glancing out the window. He tried to bite back the disturbing images in his head, looking at her beginning to be too much for him.


"I wanted to make sure you were okay." He finally breathed, the truth puzzling even him. Something inside of him said this wasn't his normal personality, this recklessness. He'd gone back to look for someone who'd witnessed exactly what he was, and for what?

 

[Captainsassypants]

What does he want? She wondered. How had he even found her anyway? She had been a good distance away from the store by time their paths crossed. So how did he know this was where she worked? She tried not to think too hard about those question being mostly concerned with what he was doing there now. Obviously he had not come simply for the books. She contemplated making him leave but something was stopping her. She felt decidedly more safe than she had last night. If anything happened , god forbid, all she'd have to do was yell and Daniel would come help her. There was nothing to be worried about. He looked different now, more normal. He was no longer wearing the old tattered clothes from last night and there was no more dirt or blood on him. Had she seen him on the street one day she might have even said he was attractive. Realizing the way her thoughts were going she had to mentally stop herself. She had seen him kill a man. So why was she thinks about things as silly as looks?


"Well now you see I'm fine. Is there anything else?" She asked. Apart from the cut on her hand that was securely bandaged and being a little rattled, she was perfectly well. She just didn't understand why he seemed so concerned with her well being. She dared to let her eyes meet his for half a second before they fell to the floor.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

He was dumbstruck. Wordless. Was that really the only reason he'd come to see her? Could he not think of anything else besides the glittering in her eyes that could have cause him to be so... captivated? He took a step back, the air about her tense and unwanting. "I..." He paused, unable to form words as her smell continued to coat the air around them. He swallowed hard, thirst clawing at his throat. If he'd skipped his feeding this morning, her blood would be splashed across the millions of old pages, her meat slithering down his throat. "No." He finally answered, ashen locks falling into his face. He brushed his fingers through it, only to have stray strands lick his pale eyebrows. Something in him urged his voice to speak, wanting nothing more then to hear her voice more. It was like a soft bell, ringing in the room. "You have no idea what was going on in his mind." His voice was almost a whisper, staring eyes glancing at everything and nothing at all. His flow of vowels continued to puzzle him.

 

[Captainsassypants]

She paused from her work and just stood a few feet in front of him while she waited for him to explain why he was there. Hearing him begin but not finished she looked up at him her brows furrowed as she was trying to figure out what was going on inside his head. He was strange, very strange. Maybe that was why he managed to capture her interest . She knew she shouldn't be so captivated. She should run the other way. Maybe she was being a little to hard on him? He had saved her after all... but in doing so he had purposefully killed someone . The scale in side her head teetered back and forth before stilling both sides balanced. When he said there wasn't anything else she expected him to leave but instead he stayed, firmly rooted in place. "What?" confusion washing over her features for a moment while she tried to figure out what he was talking about. Suddenly she realized he was talking about the guy from last night, the one he had killed. "And you do?" She asked. It didn't take a genius to figure out that whatever the creep had planned for her wasn't good. "Look-" She sighed "Thank you for helping me okay? I'm sure if you didn't come I'd be dead or in a hospital right now and for that I'm grateful. I just-" She didn't know how to continue. you just what? She asked herself frustrated.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Her tone made his brows turn down in a deep scowl. "Of course I do!" He growled, his jaw setting. He took a deep breath, placing his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, and pinching. He calmed himself, shaking his head slightly as she continued to speak. "Your body would be in fifty different places around the city by now." he murmured, letting his hand slip down along his face, emerald eyes gazing back at her once more. He let the words soak into the air, his breathing slowed, almost halting. Her sent becoming too much.


"You just can't believe that what you saw was true." He cut in, his voice thick with something indescribable. "You can't decide whether to thank me, or run away."

 

[Captainsassypants]

Her eyes grew feeling a tingle of fear run through her as his tone became sharp, dangerous. One foot moved back preparing to put space between them, wanting to be out of reach incase he really did snap. He calmed himself fairly quickly making her pause in the action. Her nose scrunched up as he explained how she would be cut into pieces had he not come. The image was definitely not a pleasant one and she did not like to think about it. The scale teetered a little but still did not settle on one side or the other, both sides still equal in weight.


When he spoke again she felt like he was looking right through her. Everything he said was spot on. Shock appeared on her face. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She felt vulnerable. He had figured her out so quickly and she didn't know how to respond.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

The soft ring of the bell above the door broke their tensed conversation. A man with soft blue eyes and dark hair wandering in, his smell causing the hair on the back of Ash's neck to rise. The creature stepped to the side, backing into a row of books, out of the girl's sight. The dark-haired boy glanced at the woman behind the desk, and flashed her a polite smile. "Do you have any of Poe's earliest work?" He asked, his voice soft. The accent that laced his lips were of Irish descent. The customer struck a strange chord in Ash's mind though, his eyes pinned on the boy's every movement, as he pretended to read "Gone With The Wind." behind one of the shelves.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Robyn's train of thought was broken by the ringing of the bell making her relieved for the excuse not to respond. She looked towards the door just in time to see a dark-haired boy wander in. She glanced back to where the other man had been but he was gone now making her sigh. She now put all of her attention on the other man offering him a pleasant smile. "Yeah, they're over in that corner." She began pointing in a direction "You know what, why don't I just show you. They're a little hard to find if you don't know where to look" She explained stepping around him and leading him through rows and rows of books until they came to a crowded corner that was almost completely out of sight. She hardly paid him any mind as her eyes scanned the shelf looking for what he had asked for. The shelves were a crowded mess of books, all the titles running together.


"Hmmm... There they are!" She ginned when she finally spotted them towards the top, just out of her reach. Her head tilted back to look at them making her wavy blonde hair fall down her back. She stood on tip toes stretching her arms up as far as they would reach but it was no use. She was too small and would not be able to get them without a ladder.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

The dark-haired boy glanced at the girl, his head slightly cocked to the side. He watched her struggle to reach the book for a few moments, before lightly brushing against her back, and reaching above her head. He grasped the old dust covered book, sliding it out from it's cavern, and resting it under his arm. "Thanks for that." He said cheerfully, and smiled. His teeth gleamed a bright white, gaze taking in her small features.


"I know this is probably a shot in the dark, but could I take you out sometime?" He asked abruptly, his cheeks flushing a deep red. "I'm Wren by the way." He breathed, offering her his hand to shake.


Ash could barely see the top of the man's hair from where he was standing, but the conversation was too loud for him not to have heard it. Although, to any regular being, it would have come to much difficulty. A burst of something unknown crept under his skin, his nails growing into talons in half a breath. Ash had to quickly put down the book, for fear of shredding the pages with his razor-ed claws.

 

[Captainsassypants]

Feeling him brush against her back Robyn froze. Her arms lowered as she spun around her nose practically touching his chest while he reached around her grabbing the book he wanted. A slight flush was apparent on her cheeks. "Oh you're welcome! Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asked leaning back trying to put a little space between them but otherwise smiled. He seemed nice enough she thought. His accent was cute but similar to the one the blonde had had. Speaking of which where was he? She glances past the dark-haired boy but could see nothing. Maybe he left. She thought not knowing whether to feel disappointed or relieved, but she finally settled on relieved.


Turning her attention back to the boy standing in front of her she caught the last of his words. Take her out? The flush deepened and she looked down at her feet pushing a strand for golden hair behind her ear. "I uhh- Sure. Yeah that sounds nice" She stumbled for words for a moment before peeking back up at him with a sheepish smile. "I'm Robyn" She replied taking his hand. It had been a while since a guy had asked her out. In fact she couldn't even remember the last time she went out with someone. It wasn't like she really put herself in situations where she might get asked out though, as she spent most of her time in the bookstore and usually they're clients were much older.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

When she shook his hand, it was apparent he was overjoyed. "Great!" He breathed, happiness rolling off him like an infectious disease. He lifted the book slightly, "How about tomorrow? Sometime after you get off?" He asked, glancing around at the rows of books. "Robyn..." He let her name roll off his tongue, his accent adding character to it. "What a beautiful name."


They walked towards the front desk, passing the row of books Ash had been previously, but he was nowhere to be seen.


Green eyes narrowed, the conversation held between the two making his stomach twist in a knot. He was now in the poetry section, a few rows away from where they had previously been. If you could see what he was... Ash paused, realizing he couldn't enter the other man's mind. Something was wrong. Ash pushed the urge to intervene into the back of his throat, swallowing hard. Even if he brought it up to her, his word was nothing. He was nothing.

 

[Captainsassypants]

She couldn't help but grin seeing how excited he got. "Yeah, is six okay?" She asked as they wandered their way back to the front. She got off at four, but if they met at six it would give her enough time to run back to her apartment and get ready. As they walked she kept glancing around trying to make sure that they were alone which it looked like they were. "It's okay I guess" She shrugged when he complimented her on her name. She had never really thought that much about her name.


Once they reached the counter she took his book ringing it up for him. She carefully placed the aged book inside a plastic bag and grabbed his receipt scribbling something on the back before placing it in the bag as well. "Well there you go. I guess I'll see you tomorrow at six?" She said handing the bag to him. On the back of the receipt she had scribbled her number.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

After she rang him up he produced a platinum card to pay, his broad grin never leaving his face. He took his book and her number, seeming to be the happiest man of the hour. "See you at six!" He said cheerfully, before the soft ring of the bell released Ash from his hiding place.


A heartbeat passed, and he was standing in front of the counter again, his eyes full of something dark. "Why?" He simply said, his claws digging into the soft wood. "Why, Robyn why?" He said again, words failing him. He backed away quickly, his nails raking against the grains, leaving four long scratches along its surface. He placed his hands over his face, running them down his forehead, along his nose, and eventually rolling his fingertips down his chin. He held his hands behind his head, elbows pointing out as he tried to find the words. "Don't go out with him."

 

[Captainsassypants]

She waved watching him leave a small smile still plastered on her face. It wasn't until the blonde came from out from his hiding spot that the smile faded. She had felt almost certain that he had left. The fact that he had just been hiding out listening to their conversation bothered her."What do you mean why?" She asked defensively "Why not? He asked me out so I said yes. I'm allowed to say yes if I want to" she said wondering why she was even trying to defend her decision to him, or better yet why he even cared. Her eyes fell to the counter as the scraping sound hit her ears. She blinked wondering if she was imagining things again. "How do you- oh" She started eyes narrowing as she tried to figure out how he knew her name. She forgot about the scratches in the wood and looked back up at him. Christopher was going to be very unhappy when he saw them but that was the furthest thing from her mind right now. She was angry. How dare he come into her work and and start telling her what to do. She didn't even know him! "Well you know my name so that mean you have to tell me yours" She said feeling at a loss since she had nothing to call him but that didn't keep her mind occupied for long. "Why shouldn't I?" She huffed when he told her not to go out with him. "What are you jealous?" She asked eyebrow raising.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

A scoff fell from his lips, his twisted stomach unraveling at the mere thought of being 'jealous'. "You really have no instincts do you?" He spat, now pacing in circles. His mind reached back as far as it could, but only coming up with the sound of dirt falling around his head. The man that had entered the store seemed familiar, but the glance he'd gotten of his face was barely enough to work with. "Jealous? Of him?" Another shaky laugh fell from between clenched teeth. "If you had an ounce of sense in that god-damn mind of yours, you'd back out of this date." his voice was sharpening. It was obvious something was bothering him, considering the constant need to be moving.

 

[Captainsassypants]

"Then why do you care?" She asked watching him pace around the store. Her arms crossed firmly over her chest. She had no idea what he was talking about or why she was arguing with him in the first place. "Really you're not jealous?" She asked giving him a skeptical look. "Because it sure seems like you are. I have no idea what you're on about, but I really don't care. He was nice and I'm going." She said firmly. Nothing he could say would change her mind. She had no reason to change her mind. Wren had been nice, sweet even. nothing about him had triggered any sort of warning in her head and there was no reason she shouldn't go out with him. "If all you want to do is insult me and yell at me then get out." She ordered