ã€ŠDarkoã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1

    Jan. 16, 1999¨C

    There was a bleak, woozy stretch the moment Damien opened his eyes. He tried fixing the covers to his liking but it didn¡¯t feel right. Something was off, and he knew exactly what it was. The moment he turned and searched for Aaliyah¡¯s warmth was the moment he realized she was really gone. He thought for a second and tried to remember what she felt like. It was during the winter when the heater wasn¡¯t enough to keep them warm through the night. He remembered how she would rest her head against his chest and wrap her arms around his waist. How she would smile from the sound of his heartbeat.

    Damien rose from the covers and sat at the edge of the bed. There was a soft gleam of the January sky that highlighted the curtains of his bedroom apartment. There wasn¡¯t much sun in the past few weeks and Damien thought it matched his unsettled mood. He couldn¡¯t find much hope in anything nowadays. Everything felt different and out of place; as if the world had completely changed overnight. But for him, it felt like an eternity.

    They broke up three months ago, a few weeks after her 22nd birthday. He tried not to remember how it happened, but there were times he found himself thinking about what went wrong, or what he could have done differently to make her stay. To her, it seemed as if there were no words or actions he could have taken to keep her by his side. As if everything that happened was meant to happen. It hurt Damien to think that was how she felt, and that they were no longer good for each other.

    The phone in the kitchen went off like an ignited timebomb. Damien peeked over his shoulder with eagerness, with some hope that it was her, but he knew it wasn¡¯t. He checked his alarm clock that sat at the edge of his nightstand and knew he was late for work.

    ¡°Shit,¡± he muttered harshly.

    Damien lunged from his bed and scrambled for his work clothes that hung in his laundry basket. He struggled to find his work shoes but it didn¡¯t help as the phone continued to ring like an endless buzz. It took him a while until he found his shoes stashed under his bed along with other junk he didn¡¯t remember putting there.

    ¡°Keys,¡± he thought to himself. ¡°Where the fuck are my keys?¡±

    Damien completely dismantled his bedroom in search of his car keys; the covers unraveled, laundry scattered on the floor. He suddenly found them stuffed inside his work pants and promptly made his way to the parking lot of his apartment complex.

    A freezing wind settled over a sea of dark clouds that hung over the city of Seattle. His 1989 Toyota Corolla was parked at the end of the lot. A beat-up handy-down with low gas and high mileage. Damien struggled to keep it in shape. He thought about how lucky he was to finally get a car after graduating high school, and how convenient it was for him and Aaliyah to go out on more dates. It was a shitty sedan that held a lot of memories; memories he was sure not to forget.

    It took him a couple of tries to get the car started. The engine screeched like nails grazing against thick glass. Damien knew there were always complaints about the unbearable noise his car made early in the morning. His neighbors were persistent to remind him every now and then, but he didn¡¯t care.

    The drive to Skate Palace was chaotic. It was as if a frenzy of crazed drivers decided to go sixty on forty-fives down avenues, drunken off their tasteless cappuccinos from Starbucks. The only thing that stood out was the multitude of vibrant hues from the city parks, the sky and even passing cars. Seattle was a pop-culture city pinched inside a hopeless snow globe. Under the artificial glow of the street lamps, they were shallow and dull with a few pedestrians walking in loose-knitted sweaters and dark-colored flannels.

    Damien pulled up to the skating rink within twenty minutes; not his personal best but he was already late to begin with. He fumbled his backpack and left his car quickly, unsure if he had locked it. When Damien entered the building there were a few people already renting skates. His coworkers from the rental booth noticed him and stared with almost displeasure. Damien wasted no time making his way to the lockers behind the breakroom. However, as he tried to settle in, his manager, Rick, stepped into the locker room with a hard look on his face.

    ¡°Damien,¡± he said in a sharp voice. ¡°I need to talk to you in the office when you¡¯re done.¡±

    Damien cursed under his breath.

    ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± he said calmly as if he wanted to.

    As Rick made his way back to the office, Damien gently slammed his locker shut, knowing the strict lecture he was about to receive. When he got to the office, Rick was seated behind his desk, holding a folder as if it had some sort of importance to his tardiness.

    ¡°Have a seat, Damien,¡± he ordered without looking at him.

    Damien took a seat across from him and tried to seem relaxed, but it was hard. His heart was pounding against his chest and his head was throbbing. The way Rick sat across from him was unusual; his erect posture, arms rested on the desk with his fingers interlocked.

    ¡°I wanted to talk to you about your attendance,¡± Rick said.

    ¡°Yeah, I know, it¡¯s been bad, and I¡¯ve been trying to fix it, but¨C¡± Damien jumbled his words unexpectedly but Rick was quick to cut him off.

    ¡°This is the second time you¡¯ve been late for work this month,¡± Rick declared.

    He could see the irritation in his eyes as if he didn¡¯t want to address the situation.

    ¡°You remember when I talked to you about this problem during the holidays?¡± he asked sternly. ¡°I tried understanding your situation then and gave you a warning, but now I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. It¡¯s gotten out of hand and I feel like us having this conversation over and over again isn¡¯t cutting it. I mean, seriously man, what¡¯s the issue?¡±

    The issue was the breakup. Damien hadn¡¯t been himself the past few months, but nobody cared to understand that. He assumed it was because he didn¡¯t bother to tell anyone about it. He wanted to explain to Rick that the breakup was the reason he didn¡¯t have any motivation to do anything. Damien wanted to be upfront and tell him the problems he¡¯d been facing at home with school and his friends, but he couldn¡¯t. He knew if he were to use his fucked up past relationship as an excuse for his incompetence at work, he felt like it wouldn¡¯t mean anything to Rick.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been getting much sleep lately,¡± Damien said with some truth. ¡°It¡¯s been hard for me to sleep at night, and when I do, I feel like I barely get any.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Rick replied with concern. ¡°Have you tried taking any medications or¨C¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Damien answered quickly. ¡°It¡¯s...I don¡¯t know. I just have trouble sometimes sleeping and waking up on time. Even with an alarm, it¡¯s hard.¡±

    Rick nodded as if he understood but he couldn¡¯t tell for sure.

    ¡°Listen, Damien,¡± Rick began firmly. ¡°You¡¯ve been working here for almost three years now. I know you¡¯re a hard worker and I don¡¯t like it when things like this slide. If it was really something that¡¯s been bothering you, then you should come to me and discuss it. Not have me second guess why you¡¯re late for work all of a sudden. It¡¯s your responsibility to show up on time and work the shifts you¡¯ve been scheduled to work. I don¡¯t like being hard with you guys, but if it¡¯s to get a point across, then I have to.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Rick was a good manager. Damien started working at the skating rink at eighteen after high school. Back then, it was more so trying to find a job and make money for himself instead of asking his parents every other day; that and trying to save for a car and a place of his own. He didn¡¯t care where he worked, as long as it wasn¡¯t McDonald¡¯s, or any other fast-food restaurant in the city. Skate Palace was a decent start; minimum wage with no benefits other than getting free passes to special events and leftovers from the snack bar. Of course, he would take advantage of that whenever he and Aaliyah went on cheap dates. It was their thing, or at least, it used to be. Rick never cared and let some of the other workers bring in their family and friends. He was cool with them and let a lot of things slide. But ever since his divorce last year, he changed, and Damien couldn¡¯t blame him. A part of him felt he could relate. An unexpected pain that poisoned their minds thinking about the ones they loved. How it created a sick persona that people were unfamiliar with, or how they had no desire to keep themselves together to strive for something better. It felt hopeless.

    ¡°I know you live on your own and have bills to pay,¡± Rick said with some comfort. ¡°I wish I had the same drive as you when I was your age. And if I did, I wouldn¡¯t be irresponsible and show up late for work. I would try to dedicate myself to it and not let myself fall short. I like you, Damien, and I want to keep you. But this is your last warning, man. One more screw up and you¡¯re done. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he nodded softly.

    ¡°Good,¡± Rick said as he got rid of the folder. ¡°But for now, I¡¯m scheduling you for the night shifts. I want you to get as much rest so you don¡¯t have to rush to get here early.¡±

    Damien always hated the night shifts. They were typically the busiest, especially during the summer. At first, he didn¡¯t mind working late, as most of his classes were scheduled in the morning anyway. But the closer he got to graduation, the fewer classes he had to take, which meant opening up his availability. But the days he spent working the mornings were the nights he spent with Aaliyah. Damien preferred that schedule as it used to align with her¡¯s. They spent a lot of time at his place watching movies, ordering take-out, and having sex. It was good for them.

    Damien worked the morning shift after his talk with Rick. The day was slow for the most part with a few families here and there. One of his coworkers, Abby, was prissy with him at first, but they ended up getting things done on time for the evening crew. He told her what happened with Rick and how he was going to be scheduled for the night shifts. She too found it awful that he would do that to him, but then again, she didn¡¯t really care since it wasn¡¯t her.

    ¡°Good luck working with Brian,¡± Abby said with content. ¡°He doesn¡¯t get anything done.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make him,¡± Damien said confidently.

    He left the skating rink at 5 PM. The drive back home was busy as most people were getting off work as well. Damien decided to take a different way home, but without realizing he had passed the Italian restaurant he took Aaliyah for their one-year anniversary. At first, Damien gazed at it with unfamiliarity; as if over time he tried forgetting that memory. But how could he? It was a special night for both of them. Damien took a moment to remember. His mind raced back two years ago when he barely had enough money for his school books. He was dressed casually in a white button-up with grey slacks and black shoes he wore for graduation. Aaliyah wore a silk-made gown, black as the two-inch heels that complimented her legs. Her hair was cut short; a style Damien always found sexy on her.

    They took a booth somewhere in the middle of the restaurant as if they were the center of attention that night. The mood was set perfectly. The place wasn¡¯t too crowded nor was it empty. Everyone was having a good time, including themselves. They talked and laughed about stupid things that didn¡¯t mean anything. She ordered a seasoned fettuccine with alfredo sauce while he ordered a fancy dish that was way ahead of his budget. But he didn¡¯t care. What mattered was them spending time together and she appreciated that. All the low expenses Damien had didn¡¯t matter to her. How he drove a decade-old car with a cracked windshield, worked a minimum wage job sweeping and cashing out prizes at the arcade, and the fact he still lived with his parents in a not-so-decent neighborhood. None of that mattered because she knew she loved him.

    It was then while they were full and tired and ready to go was when Damien wanted to make the move. He told her he was going to the restroom when instead he made his way out of the restaurant to his car. He made sure to hide her gift in the glove compartment for the right time. When Damien returned, he said a few words that meant everything to her at the time; her unconditional patience and trust in him, how much she sacrificed to make him happy, and that even with all their fights and miscommunications, she still meant the world to him. And it was then he presented her with a ring that said a thousand words. Damien remembered struggling to find the right size and not knowing anything about jewelry. How she forgot to wear the ring he gave her for Christmas and instead ended up with a better one at the end of the night. She held back tears but it was hard for her not to cry. Damien made sure to hold himself together as well since he wasn¡¯t much of a sentimental guy, but only when it mattered. They left the restaurant shortly after¡ªhis arm over her shoulder and her arms wrapped around him on their way back to his car.

    A horn blared and startled Damien back into reality. The light was green for who knew how long, as his careless self had drifted into a memory that haunted him even now. He passed the restaurant without taking another glance, but a part of him wished he did.

    There was nothing for him to do when he got home. Damien spent a lot of time by himself sitting and doing absolutely nothing. He tried not to think about Aaliyah, and for a while, it worked. He kept himself busy during the first month they weren¡¯t together. He made sure to spend as much time with his friends as possible and kept himself busy whenever he wasn¡¯t with them. It worked, or so he thought at the time. The feeling of loneliness kicked in when his friends didn¡¯t have time to hang out anymore. They were always working on his days off, or vice versa. Their schedules never aligned after that, and since then, being on his own got to him. Damien didn¡¯t have that many people he could talk to, and even so, he didn¡¯t want to bother them with his problems.

    Later on that night before bed, Damien made sure to set his alarm for his next morning shift. After what his manager told him, he didn¡¯t want to let him down, including himself. But then it hit him; the inescapable thoughts. He sat there motionless and completely distant from the world. It was when the thoughts began to haunt him. The timeless memories he and Aaliyah shared; the uncomfortable scenarios about her making love with someone else. It bothered him. Damien tossed and turned, trying to alleviate his mind from those thoughts, but it was impossible. It was as if the universe wanted him to suffer and endure the pain. But he couldn¡¯t.

    He threw himself out of bed and went to the kitchen. The phone laid on its dial pad enticingly. He reached for it with eagerness but stopped. He didn¡¯t know what he wanted to say. At first, Damien wanted to tell her everything about how he was feeling. He muttered carelessly as he scripted his words to himself.

    ¡°Why would I say that?¡± he thought.

    He erased that dialogue from his mind. He tried again.

    ¡°I know you probably don¡¯t want to talk to me right now,¡± he began, ¡°but I just wanted to let you know that I still care and I always did. I should have shown you more attention when you needed me the most. I know with school and trying to find a job it was hard for you. I didn¡¯t see that and I¡¯m sorry. I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry and I want the best for you.¡±

    Damien shook his head desperately. He tried again.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to bother you,¡± he said. ¡°I know you¡¯re probably busy with other things. Just wanted to talk and see how you were doing and if everything is okay. You probably won¡¯t believe me when I say this but I miss you¡ªno, fuck!¡±

    Damien paced around his apartment and held the phone as tight as he could. He gave it another try, this time with honesty.

    ¡°Even though we broke up three months ago, it feels like you¡¯ve been gone forever,¡± he said. ¡°I miss you so much and it hurts because there¡¯s nothing I can do about it. I feel alone when you¡¯re not here. I don¡¯t feel like myself anymore. I can¡¯t sleep because I¡¯m thinking about you. If you¡¯re safe or if your life is better off without me. I tried not to think about it but I couldn¡¯t. You don¡¯t know how much this hurts me, Aaliyah. How much I need you. I¡¯m sorry for all the pain I caused before. I¡¯m sorry for not being there for you when you needed me. I¡¯m sorry for everything. Please, Aaliyah. I want you to forgive me. I want us to be together again. I love you.¡±

    And there it was, everything he wanted to tell her, waiting to be said with just one phone call. Damien grew weary the longer he held the phone. He stared helplessly at the dial pads, purposely trying to forget her number. He thought and reflected on everything he wanted to say, what he wanted to put into words, and how it would be completely irrelevant to her, and how she would respond with a simple but hurtful ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± It hit him, and it was as if his conscience was telling him not to risk it. He eased his grip on the phone and clanged it back into the receiver.

    Damien went back to his bed and laid on his back. He closed his eyes and drifted into a dark sleep. His dreams quickly turned into nightmares after the breakup. Lucid dreams of him randomly meeting her again, as if they were meant to, but of course, under different circumstances. These encounters were never pleasant, but to him, they strangely were. Damien knew it was difficult for him to see her in reality, but these nightmares gave him some clarity, as well as hatred.

    He was a stranger to her in some way. Although she knew who he was, and what they¡¯ve been through, she always tried to ignore it, as if it never happened. These nightmares detailed Damien¡¯s struggle to let go of the past. It explained to him that, although aware that Aaliyah didn¡¯t put as much effort into the relationship as he did, he still wished deep down that she needed him just as much as he needed her.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2

    Jan. 23, 1999¨C

    Skate Palace was a vintage haze as a spur of different colors danced across the skating rink. Those who skated were like vivid shadows moving smoothly around an endless circle. An aroma of buttery popcorn, fresh corn dogs, and hot pretzels complimented the lively environment. Damien surrounded himself by the snack bar for most of the night, sweeping and cleaning tables for guests; so much so that he could nearly taste the food just by thinking about it. Popular hits from the 80s played in the background for the night. There were a few songs he knew, but he couldn¡¯t remember who they were by.

    ¡°Hey D,¡± Brian Olsen called from behind the rental booth.

    ¡°What?¡± Damien muttered as he stopped sweeping from under the table.

    ¡°Ten bucks I can get a girl¡¯s number by the end of tonight,¡± Brian said arrogantly.

    Damien checked his G Shock for the time.

    ¡°We close in like an hour,¡± he said.

    ¡°You don¡¯t think I can do it?¡± Brian asked with a cocky smirk. ¡°Alright, how about two numbers?¡±

    Damien ignored him and continued sweeping.

    ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, you scared I might get laid instead?¡± Brian suggested.

    Damien never liked Brian. Ever since Rick hired him a few months back, he¡¯d always had problems with his work ethic. His douchey personality and laziness made for a horrible coworker when things needed to get done on time. Damien only wished he hadn¡¯t been switched with Mary to the night shift.

    ¡°Is the rest of the merchandise stocked?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°Yeah, I got that done already,¡± Brian said.

    ¡°What about the receipt paper in the payout machine?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°What about it?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Have you changed them out?¡± Damien asked.

    Brian paused with some confusion.

    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to do that?¡± he asked.

    Damien sighed disappointedly.

    ¡°Yeah, man, we change them out every night,¡± Damien said a bit sternly.

    ¡°Shit, I didn¡¯t know that,¡± Brian said. ¡°Mary usually does everything.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, no shit,¡± Damien whispered to himself.

    Brian casually made his way around the rental booth to the payout machines where Damien swept.

    ¡°You gonna show me how to do it then?¡± Brian asked.

    Damien laid the broom against the machine and opened the security hatch. He got down to his knees and pulled out a four-inch slot that held the receipt rolls.

    ¡°It¡¯s kinda tricky at first,¡± Damien began as he started scrapping the old receipts. ¡°All you have to do is throw away the old slot and replace it with a new one. We usually keep new rolls in this little bin right here, but if you can¡¯t find any, we have extras under the cash register.¡±

    Damien changed out the old receipt holder for a new one. He adjusted the paper evenly and allowed the machine to recognize it. Once he was done, he closed the security hatch and got back to his feet.

    ¡°See, that¡¯s all you have to do,¡± Damien said.

    ¡°Nice,¡± Brian said carelessly. ¡°Hey, thanks for doing that for me.¡±

    Brian slapped him on his arm and walked back to the rental booth. Damien tightened his jaw with frustration as Brian felt completely confident in thinking they were buddies. Instead of cursing him out, Damien continued to sweep the floor by the machines and returned back to the booth.

    As a few more people began returning their skates and heading out for the night, Brian and Damien only had a few tasks to complete before closing the rink. Brian made sure that the popcorn machine was cleaned out as well as the cotton-candy maker. Damien remembered to count the money in the second register before closing it for the night. However, in the corner of his eye, he noticed the doors to the skating rink burst open.

    A cold breeze from the January night swept through the place quickly. In a drawn-out silence, Damien watched as a couple casually walked in. A tall, lean, attractive young man with messy hair strolled across the room with a petite young woman wrapped under his arm. He wore a dark flannel underneath a puffy sweater, had torn black skinny jeans with black leather boots, and wore gothic jewelry around his neck and fingers. Damien supposed he was in a rock band, considering the traditional fashion of grunge that popularized the city earlier that decade.

    ¡°Welcome to Skate Palace,¡± Damien said informally. ¡°Just to let you guys know we¡¯ll be closing pretty soon.¡±

    The young man glared at Damien intimidatingly. His placid face and bubblegum chewing made it even easier for Damien to identify him as an asshole. He looked around the skating rink a bit, checking to see if the place was packed or not.

    ¡°Do any of them know that?¡± he asked in a low, smooth voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure they do,¡± Damien answered.

    He then locked eyes with the young woman he was with. She too appeared apathetic yet less intimidating than her boyfriend. She was short and slender with black hair that cascaded down her back. Her skin was a rich cream that was deceptively pale. Her eyebrows were sharp, which contrasted her piercing feline eyes. As for her lips, they were plump and full, opposite to her breasts that were revealed through a light fawn tank top. She wore a puffy black bomber with tapered jeans, thick heeled boots, and a studded necklace of a crystal. There was a mysteriousness about her that Damien couldn¡¯t identify. It was hard for him to look away as her profound glare passed right through him.

    ¡°It¡¯s just us,¡± the young man said.

    Damien was snapped back by his voice. He quickly reached under the register and grabbed a rental sheet that would mark their time and shoe size.

    ¡°What sizes?¡± Damien asked.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°Six,¡± he said as he pulled out his wallet. He casually threw the cash on the counter and started whispering in his girlfriend¡¯s ear. Damien collected the cash and counted it. When he tried inputting it into the register, he quickly glanced at the young woman, who was still staring at him, this time with a soft smirk while her boyfriend whispered in her ear. Damien awkwardly fumbled the cash into the register and turned back to get the skates. He placed them on the counter and tore the receipt from the printer box.

    ¡°Here¡¯s your receipt,¡± Damien said as he held it out.

    The young man snatched it with just two fingers and crumpled it into his pocket.

    ¡°You got a restroom around here?¡± he asked.

    Damien pointed to the corner hall near the arcade. ¡°Second door on the right.¡±

    He didn¡¯t bother thanking him. Instead, he kissed his girl and made his way to the restroom. Damien awkwardly stood by as the young woman glared at him once more with a soft smirk. She grabbed the skates from the counter and made her way to the skating rink. Damien couldn¡¯t help but watch her the entire time from the rental booth. There was almost an illusion that played in his mind the more he stared at her; almost as if she could sense him watching her without even looking. And then, just as he came to that thought, she glanced over gradually and stared back for a moment. Damien agitated and started to act busy. She looked away and began lacing up her skates.

    The room went quiet for a moment. A brief intermission that rendered necessary. As the neon lights dimmed low from a sapphire blue to a ruby red tint, Damien closed in by the tables. He stood motionless with the broom in his hand, wary of the psychedelic mood that settled the environment.

    The young woman began to move gradually around the rink. Her pace was subtle as it matched the opening instrumental of In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins. As the lights grew low in the same blooming shade, her shadow was absent from the ground beneath her. She moved gracefully as the lyrics spilled into the near-vacant space. Her boyfriend sat in the dark corner of the building by the payphones. He casually sparked a cigarette in his mouth and took one long drag. As he exhaled an elusive cloud of smoke, he leaned back into his chair and watched as well.

    She glided through the rink like a black swan; her arms extending as the words began to fill her body. Damien barely blinked as he worried he would miss something special. He was mesmerized by her. The way she allowed herself to be amongst a small crowd that quickly became bystanders. An electrifying voice peaked the stereos that caused her body to ploy in a slow, seductive flutter. It was then the lights drew darker, the neon red casting an eerie silhouette of her. The room was bleak and still. And once the bass dropped, the lights brightened, syncing with the intensifying drums of the song, and revealing the blackbird that swept across the skating rink in glorious agility.

    Damien¡¯s dark brown eyes illuminated as the vivid cherry hue exploded the atmosphere. His body was like a frigid block of ice; his skin covered in goosebumps as the hairs on his arms barbed. He could feel his heart beating unexplainably the more his eyes followed the young woman. She had no fear. No questionable reason to be afraid of anything around her. She dominated the lively court with just her presence, and because of her bold charisma, it perplexed the audience who watched enticingly from a profound stature.

    As the young woman made her way around the rink, she met her boyfriend who leaned against the barrier with the cigarette bud between his fingers. He handed her the cigarette and she took a quick puff. The smoke cascaded out of her nose and was blown into his face. They then shared a soft, sensual kiss that was sure to draw an eye. Damien, who pretended to sweep under the tables, felt a trace of envy the longer he watched.

    ¡°Yo, D,¡± Brian called from the rental booth.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± Damien said without looking away.

    ¡°Can you take the trash out while I watch the front?¡± he asked.

    Damien sighed at Brian¡¯s laziness, but he didn¡¯t care as he was more focused on the young woman. He swept the last bit of crumbs under the table and made his way to the back, unaware that the young woman had been watching him as well. He went to the office and got the keys to the back door. Once he collected the trash from the kitchen, Damien made his way to the back of the building.

    Under the chilly night sky, Damien strolled through a vacant lot that was connected to other surrounding businesses. An alley had separated the crossroads from this lot, in which the dumpster was located. Damien always felt uncomfortable taking out the trash, as most of the homeless lingered around it, looking for food or any kind of assortment to live off of.

    He approached the dumpster cautiously as he waited for some deadbeat junkie to scare him into giving him change. Though as Damien threw the trash into the dumpster, he caught a glimpse of blood trailing behind the gate. He thought it was expired syrup from how black and thick it appeared, but he was certain that it was blood, as what he found next was disturbing. Around the gate, Damien had seen a puddle of blood smeared across the ground and some on the wall. The smell was faint but putrid. A musty, mothball stench mixed heavily with the odor of the nearby waste. Damien only thought something had died, but couldn¡¯t find anything to prove it, other than the blood.

    By the time he returned to the rink, Damien made sure to wash his hands multiple times. As he got back to the rental booth, everyone had gone for the night. Skate Palace was to close in five minutes. Damien helped Brian clean the skating rink and polish the outside of the barriers. They shut off all the lights and unplugged the stereo connected to the speakers.

    ¡°I was this close to getting this girl¡¯s number,¡± Brian said as he grabbed his things from the locker. ¡°You should¡¯ve made that bet. You could¡¯ve won ten bucks.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to risk it,¡± Damien said sarcastically as he threw on his windbreaker.

    Brian snickered brashly.

    ¡°At least you got to talk with that fine ass bitch at the rental booth,¡± Brian added. ¡°That guy she was with looked kinda like an asshole to me. I bet he got a small dick from how tight those fucking jeans were.¡±

    Damien ignored Brian¡¯s absurd remarks, but he couldn¡¯t help but think about that young woman he mentioned. He remembered every bit of detail about her; as if she was a picture framed inside his head. Damien only wished he had actually talked to her, or at the very least got her name. But his deliberate thoughts about her were interrupted by a loud screech. A speaker from the audio room skipped from an unbearable static to an 80s R&B track.

    ¡°I thought you unplugged all the speakers?¡± Damien asked Brian.

    ¡°I did,¡± he said as he appeared anxious.

    Damien set his things aside and ran down the hall. He quickly made his way to the audio room, but it was locked from inside. The music was blasting at full volume and it was sure to draw the attention of the plaza¡¯s security guard. Damien made his way to the office, grabbed the audio room keys, and jogged back. As he entered the room, he tried switching the light on, but it was busted.

    ¡°Shit,¡± Damien said in a hard whisper.

    He had no choice but to make his way through the dark and hoped to find the plugs. However, the music made it difficult for him to concentrate, and for a moment, Damien could have sworn he had seen something move in the darkness. He had no time to clarify what he saw, but he was able to find the plugs tangled behind the speaker box. He didn¡¯t hesitate to disconnect the audio jack, as well as the extension cord from the power outlet.

    When he was finished in the audio room, Damien returned the keys back to the office. Once he made his way back to the locker room, he noticed that Brian was no longer there. He figured he didn¡¯t want to stay and take any sort of blame for the faulty speaker, especially since it was his responsibility in the first place. Damien didn¡¯t bother to stress about Brian¡¯s lack of effort at work. He packed his things as quickly as possible and left the skating rink for the night.

    In the back parking lot of the plaza, Damien¡¯s car rested under a dim light pole that barely gave warmth to the mid-winter breeze. As he drew closer to his car, Damien reached into his pocket to retrieve his keys. He shuffled for them briefly until coming to a complete stop, finding them mixed with some loose change.

    ¡°Come on, baby,¡± a voice said from afar. ¡°Let¡¯s just go back to my place.¡±

    Damien glanced from across the parking lot and saw a tall, young man leaning over a young woman against his car. He leaned in closer for a kiss and she couldn¡¯t help but deny it. Damien suddenly realized that it had been her, the young woman from the skating rink. He stood by his car briefly and watched as they continued to make out, but in a split second, she removed herself from his lips, and her eyes had discovered Damien from across the lot.

    Damien suddenly threw his keys into the door and unlocked it. The young woman stared at him the entire time until her boyfriend glanced over his shoulder. He too saw the worn-out ¡®89 Corolla that was parked away under the shitty light pole, but his girlfriend was cunning to snatch his head back and stick her tongue down his throat. Damien had seen this and started his car without any delay. As he steadily pulled out of the parking lot, he couldn¡¯t help but get one last look at her. His eyes briefly glazed over his rearview mirror, searching for the black 1991 Ford Mustang. However, as he made the sight of the young man and his sports car, he couldn¡¯t find the young woman at all. What he saw was only the young man slouched over the driver¡¯s side door, his right hand pressed on its roof, and the other hand grasping something that wasn¡¯t there.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3

    Jan. 29, 1999¨C

    Damien sat idly in his seminar lecture. His face was morose; dull and disconnected from his professor¡¯s words. He tapped his pencil at the edge of his notebook and allowed his thoughts to consume him again. Aaliyah was the only face he could see. Her low, hooded eyes of dark amber, lips soft like cotton candy, and skin smooth like cocoa butter shea. She was beautiful in his mind, but ugly in his heart.

    Once his seminar professor wrapped up the lecture for the class, Damien was the last to leave the room. He followed a brooding crowd of college students through a wide corridor inside the Communications Building. He was alone amongst a sea of youthful intellects, but he didn¡¯t care. Damien was only now getting used to being alone.

    The student union was packed. Hundreds of UW students and personnel migrated back and forth like mindless zombies in a ventilated box. Damien was among them; a lost agent filled with only despair that clouded his judgment. And to that despair, he had shockingly come face to face with it.

    ¡°Damien,¡± Aaliyah said strikingly.

    His face went numb. He could barely feel the warm breath of heat leave his nose to cool his pulsating heart. It was like he was staring at a ghost. No words spilled from his mouth, but only a quick, heavy sigh to calm his agitated nerves.

    ¡°Hey,¡± he said in a low, hummed voice.

    Aaliyah caressed the side of her arm to relieve the awkwardness between them. Her eyes often drifted to avoid prolonged contact with him. She too couldn¡¯t find any words to say and hoped that he would find the arrogance to walk away.

    ¡°How are you?¡± he asked.

    Aaliyah held her tongue and gave an uncomfortable chuckle.

    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± she said almost unsurely. ¡°How have you been?¡±

    Damien too hesitated for an answer. He wanted to be honest with himself but found discomfort in giving Aaliyah any indication that he was afflicted more than she was.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been good,¡± Damien said as he cleared his throat. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve just been working. You know. School.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, no, I feel you,¡± Aaliyah said as she held up one of her textbooks.

    And there it was again. That awkward silence. The one that slowly peeled away at their sanity and made it difficult for them to seem normal. As if anything was ever normal between them. They stood in the middle of traffic which dragged for a while. Students started to question whether or not they would move to a less claustrophobic space.

    ¡°Maybe we should move,¡± Aaliyah suddenly suggested.

    ¡°Oh, yeah,¡± Damien said as he pushed himself to the side. ¡°Do you wanna sit down somewhere?¡±

    She hoped he wouldn¡¯t say that, but a part of her wanted to chat a little, to see how he was.

    ¡°Sure,¡± she said.

    Damien could tell she was pressed for an answer; as if she had to say yes. But he didn¡¯t care. He hadn¡¯t seen her in months, and to finally be able to confront his problems was an opportunity he didn¡¯t want to give up. He walked around the crowd and found tables in the east corridor. It was a small, comfortable spot where students would sit, eat, study, or wait for their next class. They sat between two tables occupied by students, pretending they were just meeting for a casual conversation.

    ¡°Did you just get out of class?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°Yeah, I had my analytics class this morning,¡± Aaliyah said. ¡°What about you?¡±

    ¡°Communications,¡± Damien said. ¡°It was boring.¡±

    Aaliyah nodded, unsure how to respond to that. Damien immediately saw her disinterest. He knew the small talk was only a ruse to distance himself from what had been bothering him since the breakup. He tried to ease his way into that conversation but subconsciously stopped himself.

    ¡°Were you still looking for a job?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°Uh, not really,¡± Aaliyah admitted. ¡°You know with school just starting and picking up so many classes, I don¡¯t know if working is a good idea for me right now.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that makes sense,¡± Damien said.

    Aaliyah could tell he was trying to be genuine.

    ¡°Are you still working at Skate Palace?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Damien said almost disappointingly. ¡°But I¡¯m thinking about finding another job. I want to move out pretty soon and get a new place downtown. I already have some spots I¡¯m looking into.¡±

    Aaliyah rolled her eyes discreetly. She knew he was trying to appeal to her with how he¡¯s been doing, but she didn¡¯t want to discredit anything he was saying, mainly because she had no reason not to believe him.

    ¡°Nice,¡± Aaliyah said. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re really focusing on yourself.¡±

    Her tone seemed envious to him. Damien wanted her to know that he was doing better, but was almost scared he would push her away if he continued to act egotistical.

    ¡°Well, I mean, I¡¯m trying,¡± Damien said. ¡°It¡¯s not easy, ya know.¡±

    Aaliyah assumed he was referring to their breakup. She tried to avoid that avenue of talking about what happened three months ago, but not enough time had passed to safely escape that conversation completely. It was still fresh like an open wound.

    ¡°But you always knew how to keep yourself busy,¡± Aaliyah said in a genuine, sarcastic tone. ¡°I remember how crazy you were after high school on getting a job. I mean sure, Skate Palace wasn¡¯t at the top of your list, but you made it work, ya know.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I also remember you clowning me for wearing my prom suit to the interview,¡± Damien said in an embarrassed chuckle.

    Aaliyah cracked an enforceable grin as she thought about his prom suit.

    ¡°You looked good, though!¡± she said genuinely. ¡°And I bet it left a really great impression on your manager that day.¡±

    ¡°Oh, see, now you¡¯re just mocking me,¡± Damien pleaded.

    ¡°What?¡± Aaliyah said in a shocking whisper. ¡°No, you really did look good. And besides, weren¡¯t you the one mocking me about not knowing what a corsage was?¡±

    ¡°How did you not know what a corsage was?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Aaliyah said. ¡°And you didn¡¯t even know what hand it was supposed to go on, so don¡¯t come at me like that.¡±

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you dropped it in the toilet,¡± Damien laughed.

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you tried pop-locking to disco,¡± Aaliyah rolled her eyes with a smile.

    They both laughed to themselves, finding amusement in their most embarrassing moments together. Damien showed a subtle charm that brought Aaliyah out of her comfort zone. As they sat back and reminisced about the early years of their relationship, both Damien and Aaliyah found it unexpected they shared a moment of clarity with each other. A moment had passed when they looked into each other¡¯s eyes and saw their younger, more naive self that still shared the same love and commitment as before. But somewhere in that moment was a bell that went off in their heads. A bell so loud yet so inaudible it made for a traumatic reminder about what happened three months ago.

    Aaliyah¡¯s eyes moved down to the table. Damien had done the same. They sat there in awkward silence, both unable to look at each other. Damien wondered what was going through her head. He was eager to know how she was feeling and it tortured him the longer he was left in suspense. That opportunity to express everything he felt about her was no longer there, but he was too insecure to see that. Damien swallowed his pride and looked back at Aaliyah.

    ¡°I miss you,¡± he said.

    Aaliyah felt the woozy sensation of butterflies fill her stomach. It was so intense that she had to fix herself in her seat, and as she tried to counter his emotional plea, her throat swelled shut.

    ¡°Damien,¡± she said softly.

    ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about you, Aaliyah,¡± Damien confessed boldly. ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about us and what we had. Everything we¡¯ve been through together. It¡¯s like every small detail that goes on in my life reminds me of you and how much you really mean to me¨C¡±

    ¡°Damien, please,¡± Aaliyah urged.

    ¡°And I can only wish there was something I could have done differently to make you stay but¨C¡± Damien continued as he suddenly lost his words. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m nothing without you.¡±

    Aaliyah sighed heavily and rolled her eyes.

    ¡°I know it might sound crazy to hear but it¡¯s the truth,¡± Damien insisted.

    ¡°But it¡¯s not, Damien,¡± Aaliyah countered. ¡°You knew exactly what we had together, and you didn¡¯t even consider trying to make things work when everything went bad.¡±

    ¡°I know and I¡¯m sorry for that,¡± Damien said. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I was thinking.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Aaliyah said as she folded her arms.

    ¡°But I¡¯ve changed,¡± Damien insisted. ¡°And if you could give me a second chance to prove that¨C¡±

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Aaliyah said firmly. ¡°Do you really think I would give you a second chance just because you said you¡¯ve changed in the last three months? Your words don¡¯t mean shit to me, Damien. You know that.¡±

    ¡°Then what do you want me to say?¡± he asked sternly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to say anything,¡± Aaliyah said. ¡°You always try to manipulate me into feeling sorry for the mistakes you make and I¡¯m over it. You and I are not a thing anymore, Damien. I¡¯ve moved on and I think you should do the same.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah because it¡¯s that easy, right?¡± Damien asked sarcastically. ¡°I bet you¡¯re already fucking some dude who probably doesn¡¯t even give a shit about you.¡±

    ¡°And what if I am?¡± Aaliyah asked. ¡°Why would you be mad about that? We¡¯re not together, remember?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s his name then?¡± Damien asked. ¡°How long have you guys been seeing each other for?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business,¡± Aaliyah affirmed. ¡°I don¡¯t have to tell you anything.¡±

    ¡°And there you go again trying to act entitled like you¡¯re some sort of bitchy celebrity,¡± Damien said.

    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Aaliyah slurred.

    ¡°You always used to keep things from me to avoid hurting my ¡°feelings¡± when actually it was just to hide your fucking insecurities,¡± Damien expressed harshly. ¡°Always wanted to play the victim and keep shit to yourself. Maybe that¡¯s why I had trust issues when it came to you avoiding conversations you knew I would get mad about.¡±

    Aaliyah paused and glared at Damien wrongly. She couldn¡¯t believe what he had told her and wanted to lash out about everything that was wrong with him. However, she knew if she did, it would only fuel his ego, and there wasn¡¯t anything she could do to stop him from continuing the argument.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Aaliyah said with a broken smile. ¡°You really haven¡¯t changed at all.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going through,¡± Damien said. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°No, you¡¯re right, Damien, I wouldn¡¯t understand,¡± Aaliyah said. ¡°And I think that¡¯s the problem between us. We don¡¯t understand each other. We never did. And us breaking up was probably the best thing we could have done for each other.¡±

    Aaliyah grabbed her things and stood from the table.

    ¡°Bye, Damien,¡± she said hastily without looking at him.

    Aaliyah left Damien alone in the middle of a crowded room. He sat there, quiet, and thinking. His head was spinning as he replayed her words over and over again. Everything he had predetermined about their breakup was true. She had no love for him and believed they were no good for each other. Damien clenched his teeth as tight as he could and leaned into his chair, foolishly slamming the table to grab the attention of other students around him. He composed himself momentarily and eventually left the student union for his next class.

    The day felt like an eternity. Once his studies were over, Damien returned to his apartment. He was exhausted. As soon as he entered his place he slammed the door shut and threw his backpack against the wall. He paced around his absent-colored living room with his hands balled up into fists. It wasn¡¯t long until he threw quick, heavy jabs into the wall which slightly cut his right knuckle. His skin peeled, a sting of blood dripped to his fingertips. Damien ignored the pain as he was already tortured mentally.

    He sat down on the couch and thought. He tried to alleviate the tension that brewed in his mind by breathing steadily. It was difficult, however, and it only made it worse for him. Damien suddenly had an untamed urge to pick up the phone and call Aaliyah. He dialed her number recklessly without watching the numbers; occasionally getting a line that was disconnected. He eventually dialed her number correctly and waited. Each long, grueling ring heightened his anxiety, terrified that Aaliyah wouldn¡¯t answer his call. He tried over and over and over again until it finally went to voicemail. Damien violently slammed the phone into the line and sat back on the couch.

    His eyes feverishly watched the telephone from a distance; waiting for her to call back. All the while he continued to let his thoughts eat away at him. The idea of her moving on and finding someone else got to him. Damien couldn¡¯t stand to think that there was another guy she was giving her time to. It was a selfish thing to think about, but Damien didn¡¯t care. She too expressed an amount of self-centeredness that made him believe he wasn¡¯t good enough. Aaliyah knew what irked him and how to make him feel sorry about himself. Everything he once thought beautiful and serene about her was now a wreckage that transcended into a cluster-fuck of madness. Damien only saw hate and jealousy as it slowly brewed inside him. He tried not to let it consume him when they first broke up, but now, he allowed every ounce of malignity to take control of his well-being and it turned him into something ugly.

    <hr>

    The night quickly descended over the city. The moon glittered atop the black buildings near Elliott Bay. Countless shards were dispersed onto clouded dust as sedans and SUVs barreled down the gates of the West Seattle Bridge. In the distance, the metropolitan city struck bright in the cold sky.

    Trinity was the scene for the night. It was a sprawling venue dedicated to house-music, Asian themed cocktails, and plush VIP lounges for residential celebrities. An exotic spot that separated itself from the city. Everyone who lived in Seattle knew of how popular it was, as well as how pricey.

    In the heart of the nightclub, hundreds of party-goers carelessly let the electrifying synths flow through their bodies. A mix of neon-strobe lights, house music, and hard liquor was enough to make the night a memorable experience. However, amid the galvanized climate of celebration, a young college student found himself aimlessly wandering through a crowd of hypnotic androids.

    Damien awkwardly embraced the environment as he tried to blend in. His tucked geometric-print button-down shirt, faded blue Levi¡¯s, and creased 98 Air Max was a fashionable travesty. He clearly stood out from those who wore designer clothes and drove expensive cars. It was embarrassing to think he even had a chance of getting a girl¡¯s number. But ironically, he was persistent in doing exactly that.

    Damien closed in near the dance floor. He stood a couple of feet away from the bar, holding a dry spritzer in his hand. His eyes searched carefully for a possible candidate. A tall, busty young woman with dirty blonde hair danced casually with her friend who was equally as tipsy. Damien took a sip from his spritzer and made his move. As he shimmered through the crowd with his eyes still drawn on her, he immediately stopped as another man approached her. He was clean-cut, well-dressed, and had a charming smile. It only took a few words for him to make her laugh, and that was enough for Damien to retreat back to the bar.

    His search desperately continued. Damien was halfway down his drink as he glared into the pulsating crowd. As the music exalted and the vivid lights veered on the dance floor, Damien found his next candidate. A young, rosy-cheeked brunette with easy eyes stood with her friends near the VIP area. Her timid and aloof behavior made it easy for Damien to pursue. He quickly finished his spritzer and made his move.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Damien said with a cheesy smile.

    She was unresponsive. The music was too loud and she didn¡¯t hear him at first. Damien then awkwardly tapped her shoulder and repeated his greeting.

    ¡°Hey,¡± he said a bit more obviously.

    She glanced at him for less than a second and turned her head back to her friend. Damien grew stiff and uncomfortable. He casually looked around the club before trying to get her attention again. This time he gently caressed her arm and she was quick to react fiercely.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± she asked.

    Her response caught Damien off guard.

    ¡°I was wondering if you wanted to dance,¡± he said unsurely. ¡°I saw you from across the bar and thought you wanted to dance or something.¡±

    ¡°No, thank you,¡± she said as she turned back to her friend.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Damien asked once more.

    She ignored him and moved away with her friend. Damien shook his head in disappointment and bailed out. He walked back to the bar and sat solely with his head down like a scared dog. He contemplated his irrational decision to go out to a hectic environment while trying to find a possible girlfriend. It was weak of him, he thought. Petty and senseless only to get back at his ex. But the thought of her was drilled into his skull like a permanent scar. No matter what he did or how hard he tried to erase her from his mind, it hurt him nonetheless.

    ¡°You are so bad at this,¡± a soft, seductive voice braced his left ear.

    Damien quickly turned to see a fiery vixen leaning against the bar. She wore a sleeveless red turtleneck with black latex jeans and faux suede lace-up heels. Though what drew his attention was her sharp, piercing eyes. Her full lips that were slightly glossed, and the crystal necklace that hung from her slender neck was recognizable. Damien immediately knew it had been the same young woman from the skating rink.

    ¡°Do I know you?¡± Damien asked stupidly.

    ¡°I hope so,¡± she said with a gentle smirk. She had her back towards the bar with her elbows resting at the edge of the counter.

    Damien eased into his seat and let out a shy chuckle.

    ¡°I remember you from the skating rink,¡± Damien said.

    ¡°So you do know me,¡± she gasped sarcastically. ¡°I was worried you might have forgotten about me.¡±

    Damien let out the same shy chuckle. He could feel her sharp eyes blazing the side of his face as he dared not to look at her. She slowly turned around towards the bar and leaned closer to Damien.

    ¡°So are you going to buy me a drink?¡± she asked.

    Damien cleared his throat and searched the club discreetly.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you here with your boyfriend?¡± Damien asked anxiously.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she said slyly. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    Damien swiftly made eye contact with her and it mesmerized him. Her calm, seductive enthrall was a language Damien could hardly understand. Although her talk was smooth and concise, it was enough to make men tremble and puzzled for words. But Damien figured if she were to play the game, he would at least try to win.

    "What do you like?¡± Damien asked.

    She gave the most enticing smile as she lured Damien into her trap. She then leaned closer to him, her lips only inches from his ear, and in a warm, melodic whisper she said, ¡°Surprise me¡±. She settled back as Damien called for the bartender.

    ¡°A Hawaiian martini,¡± he said.

    The bartender prepped the glass and grabbed his ingredients. He mixed the Absoult with coconut rum and smeared the rim with a slice of pineapple. Damien slid a ten across the counter and told him to keep the change. However, once he grabbed the drink, he turned to see that the young woman was no longer standing next to him. He quickly made sight of the crowded dancehall and VIP lounge. She was nowhere to be found, but as he hopelessly continued to search, a quick breeze swept his right side, and the young woman snatched the martini from his grasp. She knocked it down like a shot and licked the pineapple juice from her lips. And without saying a single word, she locked hands with his and led him out to the dance floor.

    A rainbow coalition of neon lights bounded the animated creatures that danced chaotically to the unwieldy sound of electronic beats. The young woman wrapped herself around Damien provocatively and caressed against his body. Every movement was like poetry. Her arms waved from side to side above her head, hips vibrating to the sonic cadence. Damien tried to match her rhythm but he couldn¡¯t come close. She twirled to face him, slowly moving back while staring him down, and danced like a magnetic siren.

    Everyone who lingered around her subconsciously moved aside. As they continued their subtle yet pervasive movements, the young woman showed a sexy display of a light samba that strangely matched with the rapid sound. Women were envious but equally intrigued as the men who watched. Damien was but a critic in the audience as he too was captivated by her unique dance. She was free and exhilarated and it showed. Her quick, hypnotic movements slowly collided with Damien. Her arms wrapped around his back, her cold hands caressing his neck, and her lustrous lips meeting his. At first, it was like a cold whisper in the night that quickly ignited his brain. Her warmth, like liquid fire, oozed through his body unconditionally. From there on he was addicted to her touch, a supernatural feeling that was indescribably euphoric.

    Midnight instantly drew out into the early hours of 3 AM. Trinity was less vibrant as those who danced and drank and partied left for the hour. For those who did stay, however, two were intoxicated by a feverish lust that carried out to the back of the nightclub. Damien and his fiery dame were posted against the cold, dark alley as they continued to kiss.

    Each kiss a bursting shot that separated them. His hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cold cheek as their tongues swirled in each other¡¯s mouths. She ran her fingers down his chiseled chest, feeling his beating heart the more his breath quickened. Damien began to nuzzle her neck with delicious pecks that numbed her. She angled her head slightly above his titled neck and could smell the blood coursing through his veins. As her breath grew weak, her eyes glistened a dark tint, and her mouth widened. She held back for a moment until Damien was brought back to her lips. And in that sharp, fleeting second, she bit his lower lip.

    Damien shot back unexpectedly with a painful moan. He felt his blood leak from his lower lip down to his chin. The young woman shot back as well, frantic as her skin scorched hot. Her eyes glinted a sinister black as she pulled Damien in and licked the blood from his chin. Her lips swiftly moved to his again, and although it was impulsive, Damien didn¡¯t care. Their lusty investment carried on in that cold, dark alley until the crescent moon revealed itself amid the stark clouds that suspended over the somber city.

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4

    Feb. 1, 1999¨C

    His eyes slowly opened to the sound of ringing. Damien tried lifting his head, but it felt like gravity was persistent on keeping him subdued. The ringing continued, and as Damien wearily rose from the sheets, he saw the same gleam of light that shot through his bedroom window. His feet touched the cold, mahogany wood, causing him to flinch. He stumbled through his bedroom, rubbing the sleep from his eyes to find the telephone on the kitchen counter.

    ¡°Hello?¡± he answered groggily.

    ¡°Damien, it¡¯s Rick,¡± his manager answered with a firm voice.

    Damien delayed a sudden yawn to answer back cordially.

    ¡°Hey, Rick, what¡¯s up?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Where the hell were you Saturday night?¡± Rick asked desperately.

    Damien suddenly froze. He didn¡¯t have time to fully react as there was a sudden knock at the door. He looked over his shoulder and saw a letter slide through the bottom crack. He wrapped the telephone cord around the kitchen counter and made his way to the front door.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Damien asked anxiously.

    ¡°Damien, stop,¡± Rick urged. ¡°Please don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know what the hell I¡¯m talking about.¡±

    Damien paused as he thought, but once his eyes caught the letter, his heart sank to his stomach. It was an eviction notice for late payment on his rent. He immediately snatched the letter from the ground and tore it open with his hands.

    ¡°Damien?!¡± Rick yelled. ¡°Are you there?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I just got distracted,¡± Damien said justly.

    ¡°Jesus Christ, Damien,¡± Rick grew flustered as it was clear through his voice. ¡°I move you to work closing shifts and you can¡¯t even show up for them! I called you several times that night and yesterday morning. What the hell happened to you?¡±

    Damien struggled to process anything Rick was saying to him. He had no idea what day it was, let alone the time. But as he stared blankly at the folded letter, his eyes skimmed through it hopelessly, and the date read the first of February. Damien was perplexed. He could have sworn it was still January.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I...¡± Damien stuttered.

    ¡°I need you to come in for tonight,¡± Rick ordered. ¡°Do you think you can do that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, definitely,¡± Damien said. ¡°And look, Rick, I¡¯m sorry. I swear I didn¡¯t know¨C¡±

    Rick unexpectedly hung up. Damien heard the long, dreary line cut as he took the phone away from his ear. He appeared confused and hooked the telephone back into the receiver. The letter, still folded in his grasp, sent a rush of anxiety through his body as he completely forgot to pay his last rent. And now his manager was furious, unaware of the consequences that awaited him.

    Damien sat at the edge of his couch with his face buried in his hands, thinking about how fucked up his life was turning out since the breakup. But somewhere amid his troubled thoughts, Damien recalled his lucid dream. He stood alone in a dark room, silenced by an eerie state. His limbs numb, fingers ice cold. He could barely hear anything but a faint whisper. A soft voice that carried right through him. He then tasted the bittersweetness of raspberry gloss and smelled the scent of iris. A muse approached him; mysterious and gothic. Damien had not recognized her but strangely knew her name. Serena.

    <hr>

    When Damien arrived at Skate Palace, he was met with an uncomfortable vibe by his coworkers. Abby, who used to work the morning shifts with him, was stationed at the rental booth, along with Mary and Brian. It was strange to see all three of them scheduled together, which only raised more concern for Damien¡¯s current situation.

    ¡°Abby,¡± Damien called her from over the counter.

    Abby glared at him before approaching.

    ¡°Where the fuck were you Saturday night?¡± Abby asked. ¡°We thought something bad happened to you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you guys are talking about,¡± Damien stressed. ¡°What are you doing here, anyway. You don¡¯t work night shifts.¡±

    ¡°Damien,¡± Rick called to him from around the corner. ¡°Step inside the office, please.¡±

    Damien¡¯s eyes widened once he saw his manager. He cleared his throat and adjusted his backpack on his shoulder restlessly before heading to the back. For Damien, it felt like a long, dreadful walk to the principal¡¯s office. The halls were sickly gray; the ceiling panels dull and ominous. Everything felt unusual.

    Damien entered the office coldly. Rick leaned against his desk with his arms crossed and his head slightly tilted down. He tried fixing his collar to relieve the tension that was built in his throat, which only meant he was preparing for another stern lecture about attendance.

    ¡°I¡¯ve given you too many chances,¡± Rick began faintly. ¡°Each time it got worse and worse. I don¡¯t get it, Damien. What do I have to do to make you see how important this situation is? Tell me.¡±

    Damien stood quiet as he couldn¡¯t even look Rick in his eyes. He knew that if whatever answer he tried to give him, it would be retracted by a blunt response that would lower his self-esteem. Rick stood there, arms crossed, waiting. He chuckled disappointingly as Damien barely raised his lip.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna need your shirts and your card by tomorrow,¡± Rick said bluntly.

    Damien drew his eyes daringly at Rick as he appeared shocked.

    ¡°Make sure to clear out your locker and take any personal items¨C¡± Rick added before being cut off by Damien.

    ¡°Wait, Rick, at least give me a chance to explain myself,¡± Damien begged.

    ¡°I¡¯m done giving you chances, Damien,¡± Rick said. ¡°What part of that do you not understand? We¡¯ve had too many conversations about your irresponsibility over the last few months and it¡¯s only gotten worse. I don¡¯t want to hear anything else.¡±

    ¡°I just have a lot going on in my life right now, Rick, please,¡± Damien said as his voice withered. ¡°I really need this job. You don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand, Damien!¡± Rick raised his voice. ¡°And that¡¯s the problem. I tried being there for you, man. I stuck my neck out for you because I believed you were capable of doing great things for yourself. But I guess I made a mistake.¡±

    Damien¡¯s throat swelled as his jaw tightened.

    ¡°That¡¯s what you think?¡± Damien asked. ¡°You made a mistake because you thought I wasn¡¯t capable of getting my own job, my own place, my own fucking car! Do you know how many times I stuck my neck out for you when you had call-outs or needed me to work over-time? How many fucking times I had to help out around this place and got no recognition for three fucking years!¡±

    Rick calmly glared at Damien.

    ¡°Get out of my office,¡± he said subtly.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s all you have to say, huh,¡± Damien mocked him. ¡°No wonder your wife left you because you¡¯re just a bitch!¡±

    ¡°Get the fuck out of my office right now before I call the authorities!¡± Rick shouted as he walked up to Damien. ¡°And I better not see you around here or we¡¯re gonna have some problems.¡±

    They both stared at each other like dogs. Eyes tough, grins shriveled, ready for someone to make the next move. Damien unbuttoned his work shirt and threw it across the room before storming out of the office. He walked out into the lobby heatedly without looking back at his ex-coworkers, but he could feel their eyes panning him down as he left Skate Palace for good.

    In the lone, deserted parking lot of Southgate Plaza, Damien walked to his car that was parked under the same dingy light pole. But during his walk back to his car, Damien began to pace, his head faced down to the starch pavement that was glossed by an earlier rain. His throat went numb and his eyes started to burn with tears. As he reached his car, he leaned his entire body against the door, softly crying as he tried to hold himself up. He then collapsed, his back against the doorframe and his eyes now scorching. Damien used his t-shirt to wipe the tears from his face, but it was hard. He was there again; drowning in his sorrow as he thought about his painfully driven defeat. Through a sudden break up with his ex-girlfriend, being laid off from his job, and soon to be evicted from his place, Damien could only think of one alternative to numb the pain he so desperately wished to exhaust. However, as his mind was bending into the dark possibility of suicide, Damien heard the distant drum of a revving engine.

    As this thundering sound drew closer, Damien swiped his t-shirt from his face and saw the diamond-white glare of high-beams enter the plaza. In a matter of seconds, a bullet-piercing sound shot through the parking lot as a black 1991 Ford Mustang bolted towards Damien, and drifted into a smooth stop just meters in front of him. The crystalized beams nearly blinded him as he shielded his eyes. The driver door suspended open, and a dark figure emerged from the sports coupe. In a sexy red bodycon dress and black ankle-strapped heels, a transcendental silhouette of a young woman appeared as her eyes glowed.

    ¡°Serena?¡± Damien said as he strangely knew her name.

    In a soft, leisurely motion, she stretched her hand out to Damien. His breath went still as he unconsciously accepted her grasp. Her hands were icy and her nails were wickedly long and sharp and polished as the black coupe behind her. She lifted Damien to his feet and peered into his eyes. Whatever dark substance that lingered in his soul was no longer viable, and at that moment, Damien had forgotten the pain that once troubled him. He unintentionally followed this vexing entity back inside the Mustang and was taken afar from the misery that kept him in that bleak, empty plaza.

    Serena cruised through the nightly city while Damien admired the scenery. He never knew how beautiful Seattle was, especially during the night. He always wanted to explore the city and discover its cultural wonders that not many people knew about. Although to be seated in a vintage car, accompanied by a beautiful young woman, and to see the lively metropolis under a clouded sky was a therapeutic relief that Damien so desperately needed. However, he did not know who this mysterious young woman was, or why she was so persistent in being around him.  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± Serena said quietly with a soft smirk.

    They eventually arrived at a high-end condominium complex downtown. It was a sleek, luminous tower that stretched several feet high, wedged within Seattle¡¯s entertainment district. Its poised credibility was known by many business influencers that worked in the area and were rented occasionally by well-known celebrities alike. Damien, who was completely in awe, admired the environment as he could only imagine what the interior looked like.

    Serena parked inside the controlled access parking garage. Among several different vehicles that occupied the storage, the Mustang was certainly the most appealing. It only provoked Damien¡¯s curiosity to know who exactly this young woman was. He then followed her into the elevator which took them to the last floor of the high-rise.

    When the elevator doors opened, Damien stepped out into a vast hallway. The warm colors of cedar and penny wood matched the subtle tones of the honey lights that conveyed elegance. Damien followed Serena further into the high-rise, down the elegant hall until they reached the large, twin doors of the apartment. Serena casually gripped the brass-plated handles and opened the doors to the penthouse. She waited as Damien calmly walked in, only to see his face glow in wonder.

    The Penthouse was a sharp decor with blended palettes of neutral color. The walls were of a classical touch that left signature praise to an expensive condo. Damien stepped into the lounge area, which featured a bar and its own dining facilities, followed by an open view of the city. A bathroom was attached to the lounge, hidden around a secretive door that opened by movement. Its entirety was made of expensive marble, designed perfectly with two sinks, a tub, and a walk-in shower separated by a stainless glass door.

    Damien stumbled back into the lounge area and noticed Serena at the bar. She poured two glasses of gin from a collection of liquor that rested on the counter behind the bar. She casually made her way around to Damien and handed him his drink. He undoubtedly accepted it but waited until Serena drank from her glass first. The whole time she stared at him with the same sexy smirk, knowing exactly what ran through his mind. Damien threw the liquor down his throat and tried to suppress the burning sensation that etched down his chest. Serena, who still kept that sexy smirk, walked back to the bar and poured herself another glass. She then sat down in the lounge, legs crossed seductively, and waited for Damien to say something.

    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± she asked softly.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°I think you already know the answer to that,¡± Serena said before she took a sip from her glass.

    Damien thought about the name that lingered in his mind. It was like a forgotten memory that had suddenly found its way back to his consciousness. However, Damien was perplexed at the idea of him knowing her name, as he couldn¡¯t remember her telling him.

    ¡°But why do I know your name?¡± Damien asked anxiously. ¡°I never asked for it.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to,¡± Serena said.

    Damien hesitated as he strangely believed her. His mind throttled for a response, but he quickly retreated as another memory provoked his thought. The night at Trinity resurfaced and Damien recalled everything that led up to their unexpected kiss.

    ¡°That night at the club,¡± Damien began methodically, ¡°when we kissed. I never felt anything like that before. It was like my head was on fire. It was like my entire body was submerged in a pool of cold flames. I never felt anything like that before.¡±

    Serena softly bit her lip as she remembered.

    ¡°But something tells me you haven¡¯t felt anything like that, either,¡± Damien added.

    Serena lowered the glass from her lips and stared right through him. The blood in her veins ran thick as her heart steadily paced. She was getting turned on the longer she stared at him. Although Damien couldn¡¯t remember what happened after their encounter in the alley, Serena was sexually aroused as she recalled perfectly.

    ¡°It¡¯s a shame you don¡¯t remember everything from that night,¡± Serena said. ¡°Only what I wanted you to remember.¡±

    ¡°And what do you mean by that?¡± Damien asked curiously.

    Serena smiled as she stopped herself from answering.

    ¡°You have a very interesting past,¡± Serena alluded.

    Damien felt nauseous. He was uncomfortable knowing that he was too drunk to remember anything from that night. However, he felt more uncomfortable knowing he had told her his dark and vulnerable state of mind.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t consider it very interesting,¡± Damien said firmly as he tried not to think about Aaliyah.

    ¡°Maybe not,¡± Serena said as she finished her glass. ¡°Or maybe you just tell yourself that to hide the emotions you¡¯re so afraid to accept.¡±

    Damien sighed heavily as he clenched his teeth and squeezed his fists.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re getting upset, aren¡¯t you?¡± Serena moaned. ¡°I like that.¡±

    Serena placed the glass on the coffee table and stood from the couch. She slowly made her way toward Damien as she could smell his blood getting warmer.

    ¡°I want you to feel angry,¡± Serena said sensitively. ¡°I want you to feel all the hate and despair of the life you once thought mattered. All the things you thought meant something to you are no longer relevant. You are nothing now.¡±

    Damien associated Serena¡¯s demeaning words with all the inconveniences that tortured his life. The inconvenience of losing Aaliyah, his job, and his apartment bundled into one intolerable emotion of pain that caused his heart to ache. Damien couldn¡¯t breathe, his blood boiling hot, and his eyes brimming with tears. He was about to explode into a hysterical rage he was unsure to control. Though as Serena stood before him, she gently caressed her hands against his face, and her eyes locked onto his.

    ¡°But when you¡¯re with me,¡± Serena began tenderly. She leaned in close and her lips inevitably met Damien¡¯s, and that soft, sweet raspberry taste sent his mind into a fiery tornado of euphoric pleasure. And once her lips detached from his, Serena provocatively glared into Damien¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°I want you to feel like you¡¯re everything.¡±

    The rage was subdued. The pain was no longer there. Damien felt exactly what Serena had told him he was, and he felt more alive than ever. He could barely move in that paralyzed state; similar to his lucid dream that loitered his memory. He then licked the remaining taste from his lips and searched for words.

    ¡°What are you?¡± Damien strangely asked.

    Serena was startled as the question caught her off guard. She was curious to know if Damien was aware of her supernatural presence, as the recent memories he retained were altered by her. However, it seemed unusual, as Damien had referred to his dream, something Serena could not experience.

    ¡°I think you already know the answer to that,¡± Serena anxiously replied.

    Damien looked behind Serena at the open view of the city and only saw himself standing in the reflection. His eyes casually drew back to hers, and in that short, suspenseful silence between them, Damien knew.

    ¡°I had a feeling,¡± Damien said.

    ¡°And how do you feel about it now?¡± Serena asked with allure.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Damien said softly, ¡°you tell me.¡±

    His lips unexpectedly met hers. She tried to remain calm but she could smell the intensity of his sexual appetite for her. Serena gradually threw her arms around him, her grasp tight as he was a few inches taller. Each kiss was a quick, breathless touch that intensified their arousal. Serena snatched the end of Damien¡¯s t-shirt and tore it from his body. His lean, sculpted arms forced her off her feet as he hurled her against the bar. She pulled him back as her lips remained dormant on his; her dress suddenly being stripped from her slender body. She tore away her black-laced bra and invited Damien to stroke his tongue against her chest up to her neck. Her senses heightened the more his touch caressed her skin. His blood smelled like warm honey as it perfused through his sweat. Serena fought back the urge as his neck was inches from her mouth. She clenched the edge of the bar with one hand as the other latched around his neck. Damien unbuckled his pants and dropped his boxers to his ankles. He rubbed the head of his penis against her clit as it caused her to quiver. Her nails gently dug into his neck and Damien grunted. He slid her laced thong from her legs and slowly made his way inside her. She gasped heavily as her nails peeled some of his skin. Damien clenched his teeth in pain, feeling his blood leak down to his back. Serena smelt the sweet aroma of it as it traced down his spine. Her eyes went dark and her teeth sharpened. It was impossible to resist, but before she could submit to her desires, Damien thrust his entire body onto her. Each stroke a bolting rush that sent lightning through her body. Her moans were sensuous as it carried out into the room, allowing Damien to increase his momentum into a satisfying climax. Serena¡¯s legs quivered as she tried to tame her orgasm, but Damien made it difficult as his lips gently sucked the surface of her nipples. It was an enduring sequence that felt like hours. Damien had been pulled into a world he didn¡¯t know he was ready for, but with Serena, he felt like he could do anything.

    One sexual confrontation quickly turned into episodes of pornography. In the dark shadows of the penthouse, hidden deep in the vacant corridors of the complex, there was a place dedicated to these erotic obscenities. A place the size of an empty hall. A place that only allowed a suspended globe of smoky light to reveal a round, single-layered bed above a maroon red carpet.

    Damien would lay naked on this bed and wait anxiously for Serena. She would emerge from the black shadows of the room like a voluptuous necromancer. Her nude body covered by a black, see-through robe that she would unveil the moment she reached the bed. Their sex was seductive and uncanny. Rough yet leisurely. His hands smoothly gripping her neck as she rode him in slow, swiveled motions. It became routine as hours of play turned into days. Each confrontation was a new experience.

    Sex was quickly mixed with psychedelics. Brain-warping drugs created fantasies that were perceptible realities. In the course of their endeavors, Damien would see a world of blazing colors, hear an opera of dreary melodies, and taste everlasting pleasure from the touch of Serena¡¯s lips. However, these drugs only brought out the disorder in him, and the hunger for her.

    During the late hours of the night, when the city was nearly asleep, Damien would stalk for her. His thwarted mind was seen through a drugged-out lens as his eyes were dark and threatening. He waited in the shadows like a sullen predator, the handle of a .45 1911 sweaty in his grasp. And when a drunken couple would walk the allies of the bars, Damien would emerge from a steaming fog produced by the sewers and hold them at gunpoint. He would then lure them deep within these allies and wait until Serena would descend upon them with her vampiric nature. Her demonic fangs would sink deep into their jugular, bursting their veins, and drinking their blood like delicious nectar. It was disturbing as their bodies would deflate and their symbolic features would wither tight against their vitriolic bones. Damien had seen this many times; corrupted and unnerved.

    In the darkroom beneath the penthouse, Damien would occasionally watch as she would eat her victims, sometimes sending them into a coma. Her vampiric abilities allowed her to manipulate their minds, creating an illusion that they had to obey any command she requested. This proved useful to their sexual desires, creating threesomes that eventually turned into orgies. Serena took pleasure in seeing other women seduce Damien, but would slit their wrists as punishment when they made him cum too fast. A sense of jealousy, he supposed. But somewhere in his drugged-out, psychedelic state, Damien would sit at the edge of the bed and think. He would hear the subtle voices of different women seduce him, and occasionally saw duplicates of Serena participate around the room; whether it be her drinking blood or fucking her victims. Damien knew something was wrong.

    On one night, during the late hours of a stalk, Damien waited sullenly in a dark alley. He held the .45 close to his chest, peering into the foggy night as the city lights were a dazzling haze. He waited as new prey became available. Serena was hidden, somewhere in the shadows, waiting for Damien to lure them. But once he revealed himself to them, the gun in his hand began to tremble. He pointed the .45 aimlessly at two wicked figures disguised as Serena. However, they did not represent her mysterious and seductive presence, but instead, a terrifying illusion of the monster she truly was.

    Damien reacted boldly as these creatures of Serena exposed their black eyes, sharp teeth, and uncontrollable hunger for blood. The first had lunged at Damien, and in a quick pull of the trigger, the barrel snapped, a bullet casing twirled in the air. Serena hit the ground immediately, but the other was quick to attack. Damien shot again, the bullet missing, but the next hitting the creature in the chest.  He stood by motionlessly as he peered over their dead bodies. It was then Damien had seen their true form; two young adults who had no intention of dying that night.

    Damien stood over their bodies coldly as Serena crept behind him. She had seen their timid faces; still and cold as their blood-soaked the pavement. She glared at Damien curiously only to sense the guilt that ate his cooked mind. Serena slowly took the gun from his hand, stepped in front of him, and glared into his eyes. His soul was cracked.

    ¡°Come with me,¡± Serena said softly.

    Damien heard her deceptive voice through the chaos and looked into her eyes. She caressed his cheeks as the cold numbed him. And in a quick, woozy shift, Damien found himself sitting at the edge of the bed in the dark room, surrounded by cadaverous corpses. He no longer heard the voices in his head. He no longer saw the clones of his vampire girlfriend. What Damien saw was something else entirely; something decisive to his manipulated state. He had seen himself.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5

    Feb. 14, 1999¨C

    Damien breathed heavily as he could still feel the after-effects of the drugs. His head felt like a weighted pillow filled with boiling water. His eyes were sore as he tried to wash away the pain from the restroom sink. The water, cold as the present night, felt warm on his face. Damien looked himself in the cracked mirror and saw the distortion that plagued him for days. However, the murders were the only thing he could think about.

    He left the restroom shortly after and made his way back into the cafe. Luna Park Cafe rested between a set of trees below the West Seattle Bridge. It was a nice little cafe that had a 50¡¯s-style-diner and provided all-day breakfast. Serena, who sat casually in the back booth of the cafe, watched darkly as the ceiling-mounted television presented a late-night news broadcast. Damien sat across from the booth, his eyes drifting to the television as a sophisticated news reporter detailed the recent disappearances in downtown Seattle.

    ¡°At least a dozen Seattle-based natives went missing within the last two weeks,¡± said the reporter. ¡°Local authorities have been baffled by these unexpected disappearances while neighboring residents express even more concern. Reports have been linked to the previous high-level disappearances that occurred during the months of late last year. More notably with a trace of young women between the ages of 18 and 25 vanishing around the city¡¯s entertainment district. The Seattle Police Department¡¯s Chief in Command has also made links to the bizarre disappearances of five university students during the winter of ¡®96. Followed by another 14-months ago.¡±

    Serena looked away from the television and found Damien.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked as if she didn¡¯t know.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Damien said.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Serena mocked. ¡°You keep saying nothing like it¡¯s actually nothing when it¡¯s something.¡±

    ¡°Then why ask me?¡± Damien said firmly.

    ¡°I just wanted to make sure you were okay,¡± Serena said. ¡°Isn¡¯t that what a good girlfriend should do?¡±

    Damien looked away from her as he could hardly tolerate her gaze. She knew what happened the night before was her fault, and she wanted to make sure Damien knew that.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Damien,¡± she said gently. ¡°I should have never taken you out with me that night. I didn¡¯t realize how bad the drugs affected you. I suppose they don¡¯t really have much of an effect on me anyway.¡±

    Damien remained quiet as his eyes were kept on the television screen. Serena waited desperately for him to say something but she knew a simple apology wasn¡¯t enough.

    ¡°I know that our relationship has been moving way too fast,¡± Serena said. ¡°All the sex we had and the drugs we took were amazing, but I should have known better. I thought by us spending all that time together could fix the broken life you tried so hard to escape. I was inconsiderate. I¡¯ll admit that.¡±

    Damien ignored her. He kept his eyes away from her direction and tried to drown out her pathetic apology with the news broadcast. Serena agitated as she felt desolate the longer she waited for him to respond.

    ¡°Say something,¡± she urged him.

    Damien glared at her robotically with his mouth slightly open.

    ¡°I forgive you,¡± he said in a woozy voice.

    ¡°You don¡¯t sound like you do,¡± Serena contested.

    ¡°Maybe I don¡¯t,¡± Damien suggested. ¡°It should be that obvious, right?¡±

    Serena leaned into the booth as her face turned ghostly in anger.

    ¡°Do you wanna know why I never fed off you,¡± she began darkly in a low, sharp whisper.  ¡°I was afraid that if I did I would completely lose myself. I was afraid of turning into the monster you already think I am. But I¡¯m not, Damien. I¡¯ve seen the real monsters before and I refused to be anything like them.¡±

    ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°Your blood, Damien,¡± Serena explained. ¡°It¡¯s corrosive. What makes it so dangerous is a broken heart. That¡¯s why I was attracted to you. It¡¯s how I always knew where to find you. Your type of blood is what gives us power. It¡¯s what makes us unstoppable. And when I had that subtle taste from your lip, I knew I had to have more. But I also knew the consequences. I¡¯m more human than you might think.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not,¡± Damien objected. ¡°You might think you are but you¡¯re just lying to yourself. Because if it was true, none of those people would be dead right now.¡±

    Serena was speechless as there was some truth to what Damien said. However, it hurt her to think that he only saw her as a monster, and not anything else but that. She fell back into the booth as the waitress came with the check.

    ¡°Whenever you guys are ready just let me know,¡± she said kindly as she slid the check on the table.

    Serena dug into her leather jacket and threw the tip on the table before storming out of the cafe. Damien sat by quietly as the waitress didn¡¯t know how to react. She kindly left Damien to himself as he sat there for a moment. He then paid the bill and thanked the waitress before leaving. He stood outside the cafe joylessly as he saw Serena waiting inside the Mustang. He then noticed the small cut snowflakes that fell from the black sky and found an odd, unexplainable peace that touched his shattered soul.

    As they later drove across the West Seattle Bridge in the late hours of 2 AM, Damien felt the same woozy pinch of the drugs that lingered in his brain. He tried to withstand the uncomfortable strain but felt an even worse discomfort as Serena appeared moody. Her face was ireful and Damien knew she wanted to say everything that was on her mind.

    ¡°You¡¯re such a piece of shit,¡± Serena said a low taunt.

    She glanced at him angrily to see if he would react but he didn¡¯t.

    ¡°You really think I¡¯m just some fucking monster who doesn¡¯t give a shit about anyone?¡± Serena added as her voice raised. ¡°I have feelings too, Damien. All the shit we¡¯ve been through together wasn¡¯t just some fucking game. I actually care about you.¡±

    Damien tried to cancel out her voice but the words were like searing melodies that carried a weight he couldn¡¯t ignore.

    ¡°But it¡¯s obvious you don¡¯t feel the same way,¡± Serena added. ¡°You really only care about yourself. I can see why Aaliyah left you.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck did you just say?¡± Damien asked faintly.

    ¡°She had every right to,¡± Serena added. ¡°From all the things you¡¯ve told me about the relationship, I can¡¯t blame her. You have too much of an ego to accept your own mistakes. And then you expect people to feel sorry for you when you can¡¯t even show them the same support. You didn¡¯t deserve her anyway.¡±

    ¡°You really think you know everything, huh?¡± Damien began furiously. ¡°Just because you can fuck with someone¡¯s mind and trick them into telling you what you want to know doesn¡¯t make you special. It only makes you even more of a monster than you already are.¡±

    ¡°At least I have that privilege,¡± Serena said with sass.

    ¡°Yeah, well, at least I have a soul,¡± Damien argued.

    Serena couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    ¡°If that¡¯s what you think,¡± she said. ¡°Let¡¯s not forget you killed two people, Damien. You¡¯re just a monster as I am.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± Damien arrogantly denied.

    ¡°But you are,¡± Serena insisted as she leaned forward in her seat. ¡°You took their lives away that night. You were the one who pulled the trigger.¡±

    ¡°Be quiet,¡± Damien said as he tried not to remember.

    ¡°How does it feel, Damien?¡± Serena lured him as he pressed harder on the acceleration. ¡°Knowing you took away their future. How they will never get the chance to tell their parents they love them.¡±

    ¡°Shut up, Serena,¡± Damien threatened.

    ¡°How does it feel knowing you might burn in hell with me?¡± Serena asked.

    ¡°Shut up you fucking bitch!¡± Damien shouted as he could see their faces again.

    ¡°Yeah, there it is!¡± Serena protested sickeningly. ¡°There¡¯s the Damien I know! Look me in the eyes and tell me how much of a bitch I am. Look me in the fucking eyes, Damien!¡±

    Damien quickly flinched as he saw an industrial vehicle trace across their view. Serena had caught the truck with her spontaneous reflexes, but in reaction, Damien swerved the Mustang into the rear of the truck. And because he sped dangerously on a slippery road, the force of the collision caused him to snap his entire body out of the seat and shoot straight through the windshield. As the Mustang flung into the air and twirled out of control, Damien bashed his face onto the frigid road and was dragged several feet away from the crash. A trail of blood smeared across the pavement where Damien had landed, his body motionless as more blood leaked from his split-open face. He did not feel any pain after that as his heart collapsed into a sudden stop.

    <hr>

    Her voice was a smooth whisper that felt angelic. Aaliyah had said his name. Damien. In an almost dream-like state, Aaliyah had represented an angelic force that guided him out of his sleep. And in a quick flash, he opened his eyes, immediately blinded by a white globe that descended down upon him.

    Damien gasped as he stretched himself awake. He sat up from a warm, snug cloud. The air was pure as it smelled like fresh roses from an untouched garden. Heaven awaited, he thought. But there were no angels around him. Instead, Damien found himself in a dark room alone with only but a round, single-layered bed above a maroon red carpet. Damien was back in hell.

    He slowly emerged from the bed, his feet easing onto the warm carpet. He struggled to stand up as if he was a newborn child. His body felt different, but in a way  he couldn¡¯t explain. As he senselessly peered around the dark room, Damien immediately thought of Serena. He clothed himself and left the room in search of her.

    The penthouse was quiet. Not a single sound was made. He searched the lounge but didn¡¯t see her. He then searched the corridor of the suite, still unsuccessful in her discovery. But as Damien closed in near the windows, he peered out onto the sky balcony and saw Serena swimming in the pool under a gloomy night sky.

    Damien made his way down to the sky balcony and entered the gate. He looked around to see if the security officer stood by on duty, but the only thing he found was a trail of blood that led to the pool. He stood over the neon blue water and noticed as Serena ominously peeked her eyes above the surface. She watched him like a perceptive predator, her eyes black as the night around her. Serena then revealed her face as a shade of blood was visible around her mouth.

    ¡°What are you doing out here?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°You were sleeping,¡± Serena said casually. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to wake you.¡±

    Damien thought about his brief slumber, as well as what happened before that.

    ¡°How long was I out?¡± he asked anxiously.

    ¡°A while,¡± she answered. ¡°I was scared they wouldn¡¯t be able to save you.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Damien stuttered. ¡°Did I die?¡±

    Serena didn¡¯t answer as it left Damien to confirm his assumption. He trembled at the thought of death, remembering only a glimpse of peace, and a voice that sang his name beautifully back to life. It was then Damien recalled his resurrection, and how it seemed unconventional in the state of Serena¡¯s presence.

    ¡°Why did I wake up in that room, Serena?¡± Damien asked.

    ¡°You ask too many questions,¡± Serena said. ¡°You¡¯re here. That¡¯s all that matters.¡±

    Damien found that hard to believe, though. A part of him still felt like he was dead, and somewhere in a different world that was strangely familiar. He tried to convey some type of words but it was hard. His throat grew sore as he could feel his eyes weary with tears. Serena teleported out of the water and stood in front of Damien in a quick blink. She held his hands and tried looking into his eyes.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Damien,¡± she said sadly. ¡°It was all my fault. I never wanted to hurt you.¡±

    Serena felt ashamed for what she caused. A guilt that tortured her in ways Damien couldn¡¯t understand. However, he found some clarity in her voice, and knew she meant every word she said. Although he was afraid to look into her spellbinding eyes, Damien did so anyway. She caressed his face with her icy  hands and waited for a kiss, but instead, she hugged him, only to lay her head against his chest, and hear his steady heartbeat. But in that serene moment, Damien realized he was a prisoner of her love, and that the only way to escape that love was to destroy her.

    <hr>

    Feb. 15, 1999¨C

    The morning after Valentine¡¯s Day felt unusual. Dark clouds still loomed over the island, and a heavy fog from the northern mountains stretched across the entire city. The streets were eerie and quiet. Cars roamed cautiously as their dull headlights guided them to their destination. Pedestrians were non-existent as many residents were afraid of the recent disappearances.

    Damien was not afraid, however. He wandered through the city alone as he returned back to his apartment. An eviction transcript was taped onto the locked door of the apartment, in which Damien assumed all of his personal belongings were thrown out. As he stood hopelessly in front of the door, Damien turned to his side to see an elderly woman standing at the end of the hall. She stared at him suspiciously, as his presence felt unwelcomed. Damien ignored her leery behavior and left the complex shortly after.

    He then decided to stop by his old job. Southgate Plaza remained empty as usual, but the unsettling mood of the chilly fog made it appear like a ghost town. His 1989 Toyota Corolla was no longer parked under the broken light pole as it hadn¡¯t surprised him anyway.

    Damien saw Skate Palace from a distance and grew anxious. He drew closer to the building and noticed that not many people were inside. Damien recognized his old coworkers who appeared bored as they supervised an empty skating rink. A remnant of his younger self stood behind the rental booth boredly with his arms resting on the counter. A nice memory, he thought. Although once a simpler time, his life now was complicated. He left the empty plaza with that last bit of happiness, but it wasn¡¯t enough to render him clear of the trauma that haunted him presently.

    Damien had to kill her. There was no other option. He knew she was clever, though, and that her supernatural abilities would undoubtedly overwhelm him. At the central public library in downtown Seattle, Damien spent hours researching books, magazines, and cited articles on vampires. He couldn¡¯t find much as most of the information he obtained were from works of fiction. But when asked about where he could find more on the mythology, Damien was referenced to an old novelty shop in Belltown that was owned by a psychic reader named Aurora.

    The shop was named after her. It was wedged between other local businesses, smoke shops, and small convenient stores. Damien was uncertain about the place, however. He was insecure about not finding the information he needed, or if the owner herself would waste his time about information he already knew. But the moment he entered the shop, he felt a heavy presence overwhelm him, as if a holy entity inverted his soul.

    The shop was dark, sooty and traditional. Shelves were decorated with eastern European trinkets, historic recordings, and rolling accessories of Romani culture. Damien thought it was a small pawn shop by all the miscellaneous items that were presented in the lobby. He hesitated on exploring the rest of the shop as there was no indication regarding supernatural information. But before he could leave, the voice of a modest woman stopped him.

    ¡°Come for a reading?¡± she asked.

    ¡°No,¡± Damien said politely. ¡°I was just looking. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°If what you are looking for is to benefit your endeavors, then you¡¯ve come to the right place,¡± she said convincingly.

    Damien stood by the door sluggishly and watched as Aurora revealed herself from the shadows of the shop. She was as short as Serena, slender with olive skin, and had a self-indulgent feel about her. Her piercing black eyes were demanding and her greasy brown hair was interwoven in Indian locks. She stood close to Damien and searched his eyes. Her charming face was contested by a horrifying perception as she discovered Damien¡¯s soul.

    ¡°Oh, but I knew I sensed something dark the moment you entered this place,¡± she said tensely. ¡°I can already see the destruction that befalls you. A dangerous love that you believe you are trapped in.¡±

    Damien felt uneasy as Aurora sensed his predicament. She saw an evil constructed by an untamed love; fragments of a dark passion created by an ancient monster that was well-stitched into her history.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said gently. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can help you.¡±

    Aurora turned back into the shop but Damien was quick to stop her.

    ¡°No, please,¡± he begged weakly. ¡°I need your help. I don¡¯t think I can do this on my own.¡±

    Aurora stopped under the hazy light of the gothic candles that surrounded the lobby. Her face glowed darkly as the information she knew would certainly end the terror that resided in the city, but would ultimately be the end of a necessary evil. But as Damien waited for her to respond, his throat seared hot, a nasty cough erupted from his lungs. As he covered his mouth, he could feel the warm sensation of blood in his palm, which incited a fear he was unaware of. Aurora turned back to Damien as her eyes were like translucent marbles.

    ¡°You have been poisoned by the vampiric nectar,¡± Aurora said sadly. ¡°I believe there is no hope for you other than to let the metamorphosis take its place.¡±

    Damien glared at her weakly as he tried to speak.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he asked faintly.

    ¡°Your blood runs cold from the venom,¡± Aurora explained. ¡°I believe it is only a matter of time until the transformation is complete. Only then will your soul perish and evil will take over.¡±

    Damien pondered her words as he thought about his sudden condition. His body felt fragile, like a cracked glass waiting to be shattered. His eyes were dreary while his head thrashed with pain. The fever was setting in, and the only thing Damien could link to his severe situation was Serena. His death from the crash was definite, but his return was surely an application of Serena¡¯s doing. Damien believed she had saved him with her blood, which in turn would change him into the very monster he condemned.

    In a moment of fear, anger, and desperation, Damien ignored his condition and reflected back on his urgent predicament.

    ¡°I have to kill her,¡± he said. ¡°By any means, she has to die.¡±

    ¡°I know how difficult it must be to endure the pain she has inflicted upon you,¡± Aurora began. ¡°But I do not think you have the strength to follow through on that ambition.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Damien asked anxiously.

    ¡°You still have a love for her,¡± Aurora said. ¡°Somewhere, hidden inside all that dark energy that persists your emotions, you still love her. And because you have that lasting affection, you might not want to see her perish from this earth.¡±

    Aurora could feel that lasting affection Damien so helplessly tried to rid from his heart. He stood by without a response, biting his tongue, and trying not to cough. She was right, he thought, but insisted that his love for Serena was nowhere near the hate he solemnly had for her. But as Aurora approached Damien once more, she had another piece of judgment that appeased his apparent hatred.

    ¡°Although, you may be right that she has to die,¡± Aurora said. ¡°But not under your circumstances.¡±

    Damien grew unsteady as Aurora¡¯s statement was unfavorable to his belief. He groaned softly as he could feel the transformation proceeding. His heart was stale as each beat grew slower. He held his cough as his lungs burned like thin paper. Aurora felt remorseful of his condition and knew that there was some hope that lied in his future.

    ¡°Wait here,¡± she said.

    Aurora faded back into the shadowy darkness of the shop and returned momentarily with a gift wrapped in an antique parchment.

    ¡°I hope this will prove useful,¡± she said vaguely. ¡°A reward gifted by an old generation that still holds dear to me. I think this may be the answer you need.¡±

    She handed the gift to Damien who cautiously accepted it. He felt the weight of something beneath the parchment as it had an almost rugged feel. As he tore the fine paper from its mantle, he laid eyes upon a polished steel dagger, coated with a fine royal grip, and a gold-studded cross guard with Latin inscription.

    ¡°It belonged to a Romanian officer during the First World War,¡± Aurora explained. ¡°It is said to be blessed by the grace of Saint Michael, but the old historians told of a name that fought an ancient evil that has plagued the world for thousands of years. They called it The Blade of Kraus.¡±

    Damien held the blade close and could feel the holy energy that caused his body to tremor. He began to sweat as the blade glimmered in his grasp, a feeling of grace that threatened his progressive disease.

    ¡°She waits for you in that dark room, Damien,¡± Aurora said unexpectedly. ¡°I think it¡¯s time for you to see her.¡±

    Damien took a deep breath, sheathed the blade, and tucked it into the side of his black denim. He glanced back at Aurora anxiously but her prudent eyes told him that he was ready to face his fears.

    <hr>

    As the hidden sun vanished over the Western mountains, the city ignited in a bright display under the snow-filled clouds. The morning fog remained prominent as a ghostly backdrop, and the streets were dead of any living thing that populated the town. However, Damien made his way through the chilly fog as the infamous high-rise awaited him in the heart of a deserted district.

    He entered the complex with a failing effort. The metamorphosis was settling in. Damien was against the clock as he tried to get to Serena before it was too late. He rode the elevator to the last corridor of the penthouse, finding himself standing in the middle of the absent-filled lounge. He could smell a rotting decay of flesh ooze through the floor, and he knew exactly what it was.

    Damien took the hidden staircase below the penthouse. In a narrow, warm-lit hall, he found the door that led to the dark room. He eased himself as each step he took towards the door felt long and heavy. As he stood before it anxiously, Damien drew the blade from his waist and hid it behind his right leg. He held the blade with a firm grip and entered the room.

    He was surrounded by darkness. In the distance, the smoky ray of light that shot down onto the round, single-layered bed revealed Serena who was hunched over the sheets with a body cradled between her arms. Damien continued into the room but stopped once he reached the light that touched the edge of the red carpet. He watched quietly as Serena feasted on another victim, but her powerful senses alerted her that he was present in the room. She calmly looked over her shoulder, her eyes the only visible attraction that greeted him. They were pitch black as the room around them, which meant she had been feeding for a while.

    Damien kept his sluggish stance as he watched Serena rise from the bed. In a quick blink, she teleported the distance between them, standing firm with her long black hair sprawled over her see-through robe. She gently caressed Damien¡¯s face as her sharp, black nails tickled the sides of his cheeks. He didn¡¯t move, however. Her touch was no longer a pleasing sensation.

    ¡°You brought something for me,¡± she said softly.

    Damien held the Blade of Kraus to his side, revealing the ancient dagger as the light bounced off the polished steel. Serena gazed at it curiously, only then to feel the same holy energy that suppressed her supernatural presence. Her eyes then moved back to Damien.

    ¡°And what do you intend on doing with that?¡± she asked innocently.

    Damien did not say a word. He stood motionless like a statue, only slouched and weak. He held his breath for a moment, tightening his grip on the blade to assure it wouldn¡¯t leave his possession. As he kept his dull eyes trained on Serena, he saw the wretched monster that corrupted his life and mutilated it into a dark existence that was certain to attain immortality.

    In a swift thrust, Damien drove the blade towards Serena¡¯s chest, but in an abrupt snap, she caught his wrist and held him paralyzed. She squeezed the blade out of his grip and clutched his neck with her other hand, and with incredible strength, Serena lifted Damien off the ground, slowly crushing his neck as her sharp black nails dug into his skin.

    ¡°How dare you,¡± she said fiercely with her fangs exposed. ¡°I thought you loved me?¡±

    Damien struggled to release her grip, but his weak state made it difficult for him to try. He flailed and thrashed to produce some ounce of oxygen, but he could only feel her tightening grip rupturing his throat. As his body began to surrender, Serena could see the light leaving his eyes, and in a low, muttered voice, Damien had said her name.

    ¡°Serena,¡± he pleaded meekly.

    Serena felt his raspy voice touch her heart, and she quickly realized how much she loved him, and didn¡¯t want him to die. She released Damien immediately and felt an overwhelming sense of guilt as his life was nearly taken away. Damien crawled to his knees and coughed uncontrollably to regulate his breathing. Serena gradually took a step back, her face remorseful as she didn¡¯t know what to say.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Damien,¡± she said as her voice cracked. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±

    Serena gently held her stomach as she felt nauseous. A bundle of tears filled her eyes that drowned out the blackness that colored them. She turned back to the bed and sat against the edge with her head down, crying as she couldn¡¯t believe what she was about to do. Though as Damien settled, he glared across the floor, finding the Blade of Kraus inches from his grasp. He didn¡¯t hesitate to retrieve it, finding the proper grip before getting to his feet. But as he struggled to stand, Damien noticed Serena¡¯s vulnerability and knew now was the opportunity to kill her.

    Damien haltingly moved in closer to her, the blade inverted as his knuckles strained with how tight he held it. But as he stood before Serena dangerously, she gazed up at him, her eyes now a butterscotch gloss as the light gave contrast to her teary face. Serena saw the blade in his hand but did nothing.

    ¡°Damien,¡± she whispered in a weary voice.

    Damien hesitated as he saw a glimpse of humanity in her vulnerable form. To him, he did not see the monster he tried to destroy, nor the mysterious young woman he laid eyes on at the skating rink. Instead, Damien had seen a timid young woman that was once human and pure before the madness had changed her. But in that realization, Damien had seen a contrast between them: two souls conflicted by heartbreak that inevitably turned them into monsters.

    Serena stood from the bed and wiped the tears from her cheeks. She stared into Damien¡¯s eyes and saw fear. He was scared, but Serena didn¡¯t want him to be. She touched his hands which were no longer warm. She could hear his heart failing, the smell of his blood unholy.

    ¡°Stay with me,¡± her gentle voice said. ¡°I can¡¯t be alone again.¡±

    A single tear slid down to his cheek. He loosened the grip on the blade as his hands trembled, but Serena was sure to keep them steady. He wanted to tell her the truth about how he felt, but the truth was his enemy. Damien knew Aurora was right about his love for Serena, but it was a love he couldn¡¯t handle anymore.

    ¡°You don¡¯t love me, Serena,¡± Damien said. ¡°You never did.¡±

    ¡°But I do love you, Damien,¡± she said desperately. ¡°I love you more than you think. I feel like I¡¯m nothing without you, and when I am, I feel more alive than ever. You make me feel human again, and that¡¯s a feeling I can¡¯t afford to lose.¡±

    Damien tried to contest her emotional struggle but felt sorry for her. Serena held him close as she waited hopelessly for him to say something. Although there was a blunt silence between them, Damien found the courage to deny her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you, Serena,¡± Damien said, ¡°but you and I can never be together.¡±

    ¡°But I thought you loved me?¡± Serena said helplessly as tears ran down her face.

    He looked deep into her eyes, finding the same glint that captivated him at first glance, and fought his truth. As his love for her was condemned, he slid his hands from her grasp. Damien was to finally hold himself accountable for his mistakes.

    ¡°I thought I did too,¡± he said in a low, ingenuine voice.

    He glanced at the staggering blade that glistened in his hand. A thought of redemption crossed his mind, but he knew there wasn¡¯t much time. Damien dropped the blade and peered back at Serena.

    ¡°Goodbye, Serena,¡± he said in a crumbling voice.

    It was a low yet heavy goodbye; one that was certain to break her heart. He turned his back to her and sluggishly walked out of the dark room. He had left Serena in her own world; a world that was created upon a false love. The fear of being alone had found her once again, and in that quiet, unbearable silence, Serena collapsed to the edge of the bed and allowed each blazing tear to trail down her cold, dire face.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6

    Feb. 16, 1999-

    Damien stood outside the front entrance of the high-rise apartments. He stared out into the empty city of downtown Seattle, his eyes catching the tiny snowflakes that fell from the black sky. He could hear the subtle whisper of the wind that blew from the north; a chilly breeze that was sure to keep him stiff. But as Damien reached out his hand to let the snow gracefully land in his palm, he couldn¡¯t feel it evaporate at his touch, nor could he feel the cold in general.

    From Pioneer Square, Damien walked the lonely streets of Seattle to University Park. In that two hour journey, he reflected on the life he once knew, and how much he took it for granted. But as he reflected over those faded memories, there was only one thing on his mind that mattered, and he knew he had to confront it before it was too late.

    In a narrow-ended neighborhood surrounded by tall, leafless trees, Damien stood across the street from a meager, two-leveled house with a shared lawn. It had a low set of steps that led to a small, decorative porch in front of a wide window. The lights from downstairs were on, and he could faintly hear the sound of laughter coming from inside. Damien struggled to take a deep breath before walking up the steps to the front door.

    As he stood slouched with exhaustion, Damien held his presence. He rang the doorbell and waited anxiously until the porch lights turned on. Damien breathed heavily and tried to fix himself straight. When the door opened, there was a paleness that covered his face as Aaliyah stood at the doorway.

    ¡°Damien?¡± she said, puzzled. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    He tried for an answer but was too distracted by her beauty. Her frizzy, dark brown hair cascaded down her back and matched her low hooded eyes. Her smooth, caramel skin, free of any blemishes. Her fine, plump lips looked just as sweet as pink cotton candy, and the lavender scent of orchids filled his senses. Damien had seen Aaliyah as the angel he always knew she was.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything, Aaliyah,¡± Damien began faintly. ¡°I never wanted to hurt you¨C¡±

    ¡°Damien, now is not the best time for this,¡± Aaliyah asserted politely.

    ¡°I know, but I have to tell you the truth,¡± Damien insisted.

    Aaliyah leaned her body between the crack of the door as she was curious to know what he meant.

    ¡°You were everything to me, Aaliyah,¡± Damien said sincerely. ¡°But I was too stubborn to see that before you left. I was too prideful, and I see that now. I let my ego consume me to the point of losing someone as beautiful as you. You were the world to me, but I couldn¡¯t be that for you. And I know what I¡¯m saying may not mean anything to you now, but I just wanted you to know that I made mistakes I¡¯m ready to take responsibility for and that you deserve better.¡±

    Aaliyah softened her stance as she felt his words reach her. A part of her was scared to believe him, but his vulnerability was something she hadn¡¯t seen before. Aaliyah could see the weakness in his eyes as well as the strength he had to confront himself, and because of that, she felt sorry for him. But in her empathic desire to express comfort, a voice called to her from inside, and in a quick startle, a young man revealed himself.

    ¡°Jacob, hey,¡± Aaliyah said nervously.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on, you¡¯re missing the whole movie¨C¡± Jacob paused as he saw Damien. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±

    Damien felt his heart drop the moment he saw Jacob. He stood by uncomfortably as Aaliyah vaguely introduced him.

    ¡°Oh, this is just my friend from high school,¡± Aaliyah said. ¡°He¡¯s about to leave town and he wanted to say goodbye.¡±

    Damien lowered his head as his eyes drifted away from Aaliyah. His throat went numb and his eyes turned sleek with gentle tears.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon, just give a minute,¡± Aaliyah said. She reassured Jacob with a soft kiss on the cheek and he headed back inside. But as Aaliyah had trouble finding the words to tell Damien, she settled with a shy chuckle.

    ¡°His name is Jacob,¡± Aaliyah began awkwardly. ¡°We have a few classes together.¡±

    Damien kept his head low as he didn¡¯t say anything. Aaliyah folded her arms as the cold crept on her, and it was a way to relieve the discomfort she bitterly felt.

    ¡°Are you going to say something?¡± she asked restlessly.

    Damien searched for the right words to say but there was nothing. He sniffed his nose from the cold and carried his head back to Aaliyah. A brush of tears settled below his eyes but he didn¡¯t bother to wipe them away. Aaliyah felt a sense of guilt the moment she saw the pain he endured, but because she had moved on, there was nothing else she could say.

    ¡°It was good seeing you again, Aaliyah,¡± Damien said heavily.

    Aaliyah heard the pain in his voice as he tried to sound genuine. Although it was hindered by the state of his condition, Aaliyah knew he meant what he said, which killed her. As he stepped down from the porch and dragged his feet across the lawn, Aaliyah called out his name.

    ¡°Damien,¡± she said in a worried tone.

    He stopped at the end of the lawn, his head down, and his back still facing Aaliyah. She waited for him to look back at her but he didn¡¯t. Damien walked off the property solemnly and disappeared into the snowy night, leaving Aaliyah to remember the last happy memory they shared together.

    As the early hours of dawn approached, Damien wandered through the dark city without any thoughts. His mind was a barren cube that torched his brain the longer he stayed awake. He couldn¡¯t remember the last time he slept and it bothered him. Damien knew if he closed his eyes he would have uninviting dreams about the demons he battled internally. It would be an everlasting nightmare he didn¡¯t want to live with.

    At the end of 35th Ave, near the Assumption Catholic Church, there was a cemetery that caught Damien¡¯s attention. From the corner of the street, he could see the tall, dead trees that hung over the snow-capped graves across the field. Damien always found the idea of cemeteries unpleasant as it carried the bodies of the past; good and evil alike. But to his sudden discretion, there was a sense of peace that drew him in.

    Damien eased his way into the cemetery. At first, he could barely see the stones that cemented beneath the snow-covered field, but it wasn¡¯t until he stopped to embrace the environment that he could sense the spirits that still remained. Damien toured through this cemetery without fear, soon finding a sizable grave that stood upon an icy platform. It was presented in a gothic statue that held a thick cross at the top. Damien curiously read the name on the tomb. McArthur.

    Damien closed in on the grave, reading the sentiment that blessed the person who laid there. It was short and sweet; something Damien found hopeful. But in his hopeless state, there was no escaping the curse that was to manifest his soul, and he knew that. But as he remembered the words Aurora told him about his soul perishing and an evil that would take over, Damien could not live with that burden.

    He gently sat upon the icy steps of the tombstone and waited. His body became fragile as the dawn was inevitable. Damien watched across the vast field from the east, seeing the once dark, smoky clouds disappear from the sky. A blue tint was visible after an entire month of gray, and beyond the horizon, the glorious sun etched into its marvelous form. Damien leaned against the steps, his elbows buried in snow, and his face aimed at the sky. He slowly closed his eyes and recalled one last memory.

    Aaliyah sat gorgeously across from him in the Italian restaurant. Her face was glowing as the warm lights surrounded their table. She smiled unconditionally as Damien said something meaningful, and his hands locked with hers. The diamond that rested on her right ring finger glistened under the table candle, and because it was a token of his love for her, they shared a soft kiss that ended their night perfectly.

    When the sun was bright and clear above the chilly sky, the groundskeeper of the cemetery made his daily morning route. He checked the south corridor first and then the west. By the time he circled back to the front office, he noticed a faint light that illuminated the east corridor. As he casually made his way to that section of the cemetery, he came to a startled stop. Upon the stone steps of Larry McArthur¡¯s grave, the shadow of a black shrouded body was torched in a bright, hellish flame.

    <hr>

    Below the vacant penthouse of the high-rise apartment, the dark room remained. Within this dark room, a sensitive vampire sat lonely upon a velvety-red sheet accompanied by a dead corpse. Serena was presented under the globe of light from above, holding the Blade of Kraus in her hand. She admired how sharp the dagger was, and how clean the blade sparked under the misty rays. She gazed at the blade sorrowfully, thinking about how Damien left without it. He was given another chance to destroy her, but he didn¡¯t. Serena wondered why that was but could only think that he did have some love for her, but not enough to stay at her side. And because of this, Serena held the blade close to her heart and pondered over the instrument that was able to end her curse as well as her suffering.