• Where the coc.k doth not crow, and the birds do not sing, is where our strange tale is soon to take wing. Behind dusty book cases in an old book's fold, withing haunting eyes, tinged bright with gold. Each has a story, each has a name, and now we spin our words, wild and untamed.


    It was a night soon before Halloween and the moon was full and round, like the silver eyes of some celestial serpent, gliding amongst the bare autumn trees. There was a pleasant, crisp chill to the air, and the mellow smell of fallen leaves hung tantalizingly in the night, bringing to mind thoughts of pumpkin pies and young trick or treaters.
    I always had loved this part of the year....
    Oh! I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Aly Parkson, full name Allison Gwen Parkson, but everyone calls me Aly. That's not important though. What is important is this story, because it's the story of how I came to be plunged into, and understand, a world so different from our own, a world of vampires, magic, were-animals, and things that go bump in the night, a world sitting right under your collective noses. It's also the story of how I came to be one of the things that bumped back. That's right, folks, I'm a slayer. More about that later though, for now, just sit back, listen to the story, and hope nothing comes creeping through your windows, because what I'm about to reveal will change your world forever.
    At this time, I was still barely out of my teenage years. I was nineteen, and heading home from my college classes, and looking forward to a good book and some pumpkin pie, curled up under a thick blanket to ward off the coming cold. I took night classes, because during the day I worked at the local bookstore to keep up my end of the rent. I couldn't stand my parents, you see, so I had moved out as soon as possible, and gotten myself a room-mate. It sounded nice, but I'll tell you, surviving on ramen for a week that one time had taught me to budget quick.
    I was studying to be an anthropologist, and it was hard work. Then again, nothing worth it in life ever comes easy. Eventually I'd make it through, and I hoped, would travel the world, studying different cultures. For now though, I was tired, hungry, and fairly cranky, my head crammed with facts about such and such and things I didn't want to think about at the current time and moment, and my backpack needed a new strap. Ah, good old backpack, it had served me well, but with it straining my already aching shoulders, I was ready to toss it away and gets a new one at long last.
    As I listened to the soft slapping of my sneakers against the pavement, and the steady hum of the dimly glowing street lamps arching over my side of the sidewalk, I thought back on the day and let my mind simply drift.
    It was the soft sound of cloth shifting behind me that brought me out of my thoughts, and I turned, alarmed, as the sound was far too close for my comfort. Generally it was never good if strangers invaded your personal space. I wondered how he had gotten so close without my knowing. Normally I was better than that...
    And it was certainly a he, though the angles of his face were certainly sharp and exotic enough to be called feminine. He was pale as death, save for his lips, which were flushed and healthy looking, but perhaps it was the light, and the black and red of his outfit. He wore a black shirt, and black pants, both which looked to be something akin to silk, but a little coarser, but hey, I'm no expert on clothing materials. I buy all mine at the mall. Over that was a long red duster, and a wide brimmed hat, also red, which hit his eyes in a nearly solid shadow. Two long plumes stick out of the top of the hat, one white, and a slightly shorter one that was black. If I wasn't so worried about being mugged...among other things, I would have commented on his snappy dressing.
    As it was, my inquiry of his presence stuck in my throat as he slowly lifted his head, tilting in back and giving a long, shuddering breath. His eyes were red. Blood red. And then he smiled at me, and one glimpse of those wickedly sharp canines sent me running. This was the stuff of nightmares! You didn't run into it on the streets! Bloody hell!
    I sped away from the man, turning a corner sharply, my heart in my throat and my sides heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. The cold night air was painful now to my lungs rather than soothing, and I bit back a dry cough. I ran for as long as I could, then once I figured he wasn't following, I slowed to a trot, and at last, an exhausted trudge. What was that thing? As I thought about it, I almost laughed to myself. It was nearly Halloween, full moon, it was probable some guy playing a rotten prank. Maybe one of the guys from my class. Red eyes could be easily done with contacts, and Halloween props, if you had the money, could be made to look remarkably real these days. A lot of the folks from my school had the money.
    I gave a nervous chuckle and turned to leave the ally, only to run into something solid and warm, and very much alive. I felt an arm circle around my waste, and another on my shoulder to spin me, until my back was once again to my attacker, and I was pressed back against his hard chest. Who ever it was, he was a fairly muscly guy if he could hold me in place. I was short, but I was a strong woman, and I kept myself fit. That made me all the more afraid, and I felt myself start to shake.
    "Shhhh..." Came a sudden, rich voice in my ear, a puff of warm breath. "I'll make this quick."
    I felt a sudden wave of panic, and strained against his arms, trying to pry free, but he had me pinned all too well. Quick?! Wasn't that what people always said in movies before they killed someone?! I didn't want to die! I wanted to finish college and be an anthropologist, and travel all over the world, and get old, and retire, and shake my decrepit fist at kids who trespassed on my lawn! I didn't want to die!
    The perv nuzzled my neck, then I felt the soft press of cool lips against it, resting just above the shoulder. A strange sound reached my ears then...he was...purring?
    "Get off," I yelled, my voice cracking. "I'll call the police! I'll...I'll..." I felt hot tears welling up as my shaking increased, and my chest felt tight. Oh god...not like this...not like this...
    The man pulled back, frowning, then slowly turned me around again, though he was certainly careful not to loosen his grasp any. I stared up at the man from before, and his crimson eyes stared back at me, a graceful frown curving his lips. He leaned down slowly, and I jerked back, heart in my throat again. There were worse things than death...
    His free hand drifted up to cup the back of my head, keeping me from moving any further away, though I certainly refused to move any closer. His lips hovered just over mine, and I could feel his warm breath. "Relax..." he soothed, and then he closed the distance.
    I jumped in fearful surprise, though quickly relaxed. I couldn't help it. I won't lie, was was an amazing kisser. Though, strangely, I felt myself growing slightly drowsy, and I barely acknowledged it when he pulled away to rest his lips on my neck again. Everything felt liquid and hazy, and I wasn't at all sure I cared what he did anymore.
    However, the press of sharp, hard fangs jerked me back into reality, and I yelped in alarm as he bit down, puncturing the soft skin of my neck. Oddly enough though, it didn't hurt, and I wonder if maybe I was dreaming? Maybe he had drugged me somehow. Maybe...maybe I was already dead.
    I felt his tongue working at the skin there, like a cat at the cream, coaxing blood out through the wound. It alarmed me, but strangely I couldn't get up the motivation to shove him away. I was feeling more and more relaxed, and I wondered if it was because of blood loss. Then a strange, pleasant, tingling sensation hit me, and I slipped off into the warm, waiting darkness.