NIGHTWALK

It was an ordinary evening for Sarah, as she walked home from work, listening to her mp3 player. She smiled as her favorite song began to play and looked up at the full moon, letting out a huge sigh. She closed her eyes and inhaled the crisp evening air. She was jarred into reality when a pair of thick arms wrapped around her, dragging her across the field, into the tunnel that ran under the street. She screamed as he pushed her up against the wall, ripping her shirt. She struggled trying to free herself. He slammed his body against her and she gasped for air. “Help!” she screamed and his hand covered her mouth. She bit down hard, drawing blood. He yelped, shaking his hand. His fist connected with her eye. Her adrenaline hit the roof, as she continued to swing wildly, connecting with his jaw.

“Oh you wanna fight eh?” He threw her down on the ground, jumped on top of her. She was dazed fading in and out of consciousness. His fists landed hard on her mouth, then her cheek, the last blow catching her nose. She felt him tugging at the button on her jeans and tears slid down to her ears. She closed her eyes, wishing a way out of this when she heard him grunt. She slowly opened her eyes, unable to see out of her right eye, a tall figure held her assailant high up in the air. She watched him struggling in the arms of the stranger. She turned her head and saw in the shadow fangs protrude from his mouth and her eyes widened, turning her head to watch, in horror. Her arm went to her mouth to hold in the scream as he lunged at his neck. After a few minutes, her attacker dangled in his hands. She could feel every ache, as she scrambled to her feet and took off running. Not stopping until she arrived home.

She ran into the house, turned the lock on the steel door, slammed against it, and slid down onto the cold tile floor, covering her face with her hands, sobbing. She crawled along the floor in the dark, cringing at the excruciating pain pulsating in her knees. With the bathroom just a few feet away, she was determined to keep going. She pushed the door open, grabbed hold of the bathroom counter, pulled herself up, shutting the door behind her. She turned on the light, her hands flew up to her mouth, her eyes widened, not recognizing the woman in the mirror. Her sandy blond hair was tangled, drenched with blood. Her right eye was twice the size of her left one. She lightly ran a finger across her bruised lips, and dried blood crusted her nose. Her shirt, shredded beyond mending and her knees and arms were showing signs of bruising. She staggered back towards the wall, staring at herself in the mirror. “This can’t be happening. This is all a bad dream.”  

She didn't know where to hide, needing to figure it out quickly. Time was not on her side. She opened the bathroom door, supporting herself against the wall as she walked towards the bedroom. As quick as she could, she pulled off the ragged clothes, wincing and slipped into a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, found her car keys and headed for the garage. She opened the door that led to the garage, cautiously peering into the darkness. She walked as fast as she could towards the jeep wrangler, gritting her teeth at the agony that shot all through her body. She climbed in, started the jeep and opened the garage door. Her foot, positioned just above the gas pedal, ready to floor it. The garage door was halfway up, and she saw movement. Her heart raced and she threw the jeep in reverse. She screamed as the half man, half creature, jumped on the back of the jeep. She slammed on the brakes, and he tumbled off. She floored the pedal and the jeep raced away from the ranch. Glancing in the rear view mirror, she saw the creature gaining speed. "Unbelievable!" She raced ahead, but the curve that lay in front of her was a wicked one and she lost control of the jeep. It rolled over, throwing her out into the forest, leaving her dazed and barely breathing. She tried to move, but she couldn’t. A twig snapped and very slowly, she turned her head. He fell down on all fours, transforming into a wolf, and howled up at the full moon. The wolfman straddled her, his wet nose touched her cheek, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Please," she whispered. "Please, I want to live." She heard a yelp and her eyes flew open, watching the wolf fly backwards, crashing hard against the overgrown oak tree. A pair of dreamy golden eyes came into view, entrancing her. She couldn't look away from his mesmerizing eyes, all her fear fading away. She felt as if she were floating up into the air.

"Am I dying?"
"You are safe. Rest." Her eyelids felt heavy and she fell limp in his arms.