water ran down her back from her long sopping hair. Beth sat there shivering for a moment. The shock of the fall and the cold ebbed away. She burst into tears.
She hated Corey, hated him. Angry, frustrated sobs wracked her body as she shivered wet and cold on the muddy banks of the creek. Her cell rang. She couldn't see where it was. Throwing aside leaves and twigs she found it several feet away in the grass. Her fingers shook with the cold and the tears making it hard to answer.
“Beth! Why haven’t you texted? Are you ok?” Wes shouted into the phone.
“I’m….I’m…..oohhhh godddd…..” Beth wailed.
“Hold on.” Wes cried. The familiar thump of the phone on the seat followed by the whine of the engine. Putting away her phone she was freezing. Slowly she crawled to the tree. Slumping against it she let the tears fall thick and fast. This would never happen to her again, she swore it.
Several long minutes later, Beth heard a car flying toward her. Headlights flickered. Recognized the right one was bouncing a little. No matter how much Wes tried that light was always loose. A breath of relief blew out her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself and headed to the road. Just when she crested the hill the beat up car skidded to a halt. It was barely stopped before he was holding her at arms length making sure she was ok. She was soaked, cold and crying. His arms were around her warm and comforting. She clung to him letting the tears flow. She felt like such a fool.
Still Hungry
Glass sliced into Dan’s arms, ripped his hands as he clawed through the shattered window. The woman inside screamed running for the front door. Throwing it open, she ran straight into Lisa’s grabbing arms and hungry mouth. Blood flowed freely from the fresh wound torn in the woman’s neck. A gory chunk hit the floor with a splat wrenched free from Lisa’s open mouth. She lurched for more. The terrified woman struggled to free herself pushing against Lisa’s face with one hand while grabbing at the wound on her neck with the other. Blood coated her hand instantly. She stumbled back only to emit a gurgling scream as two fingers parted company from her hand remaining in Lisa’s chewing mouth. More pain burst through her body. Dan’s teeth sunk into the other side of her neck. Blood sprayed across a picture of a calm lake on the wall.
Grey faced, the woman was able to push free. Dizzy and weak she stumbled across the room. A weak cry sounded in her throat. She watched her severed fingers fell from Lisa’s mouth. Cold, the woman was getting cold. The horrid pair slouched ever closer. The woman leaned heavily against the wall, sliding down it. Her damaged hand fell to her side, even as she tried to stem the tide of blood from her throat, the woman’s heart stopped beating. A pool of blood grew around the body. Dan and Lisa stopped, Dan’s head cocked to one side as if asking Lisa a question. Her head bowed. She stared at the cooling thickening blood. Dan’s moan was answered by Lisa’s. They’re prey was gone, dead. They moaned again. As if in response the woman’s moan joined them from the floor. One hand still clutching at the wound on her neck, the other leaving a thick trail of red on the wall. The woman raised herself slowly. The three stared at each other with grey colored eyes. Their hunger burned. They needed to feed.
Blinded by fear, he ran, ran from the house, from his wife. "Those people…Those things attacked her, bit her." His mind screamed. He was crashing through the underbrush heading for the road. Somewhere nearby he heard a car skid to a halt. Someone was there. He could get help. Tree limbs smacked and slashed his face. His legs protested. His lungs seared. Years of heavy smoking, fatty foods and watching TV took their toll. Gasping he could see the taillights. His chest burned, he couldn’t breathe. Falling face first down the gully his heart gave out.
Back at the house three heads snapped up turning to the sound. The skid of tires on the road not far from away rang like a dinner bell. They only thing that separated them was the woods and the creek. These obstacles meant nothing they wouldn't get in the way of what they needed...
Warm, living, food.
Not all bad, yet…
“Are you ok?” Wes whispered.
“Yeah...now.” Beth hiccupped.
Wes just held her for a moment rubbing her back and to her surprise he kissed the top of her head through her wet hair.
“Come on you’re going to catch cold out here.” He said taking her by the hand pulling her to the car.
They got to the door when Beth stopped. “I’m going to get the seats all wet and dirty.” She said with a sob.
“I don’t care. I mean look at this thing.” Wes said exasperated. Beth shrugged at him. “Fine, wait a second.” He said holding up a finger he reached in the back pulling out a hooded sweat shirt. He held it out to Beth. She looked at it and smiled.
They stared at each other for a second until Beth arched an eyebrow at him. Wes jumped quickly turning his back to her and closing his eyes. Beth laughed as she pulled off her soaked shirt. She pulled on the sweatshirt and zipped it up. It was warm and dry.
“I’m sorry.” She muttered.
“For what?” He asked confused.
“For dragging you out here.” She sighed. “It’s just....all Corey wanted was sex and...I don’t know... I just thought he would realize that wasn’t going to happen. I thought he would chill out and be cool. I mean why can’t more guys be like you?" She smiled at him. "I mean you never try any of that stuff with me." He tried to say something but she wasn't paying attention. "I mean they start out all nice then it turns out they have other intentions…” She was rambling and starting to cry again then stamped her foot and swiped at her cheeks. “That is enough, Beth!” She chided herself.
Wes took her wet clothes from her as he pulled her into a hug. “I came here to get my best friend. That was my only intention. ” He swallowed nervously. “So, all Corey wanted was…never mind I…I don’t want to know.” Wes muttered hurt in his voice. He swallowed hard holding her soggy shirt out to her. She pushed her wet hair out of her face. She gave Wes a smile. He inclined his head to the car.
“He wanted it." She placed a hand on his arm. "He never got it from me.” Beth headed for the door. Wes made his way around the car. They stared over the roof while she opened the door. Wes looked at her and smiled.
Once inside the Beth relaxed. It was warm and she was safe. Her legs were still cold but Wes turned up the heat for her.
“You OK?” He asked.
She nodded, “Thanks.”
“So what happened?” Wes asked looking at her.
Beth sighed. She didn’t really want to tell him. She knew Wes hated Corey and this wasn’t going to help. Once she started to tell the story, she couldn’t stop. Everything that Corey had done, everything he had said, everything. She had been keeping it to herself and it had been driving her crazy. As she finished, she couldn’t meet Wes’ gaze. She felt ashamed and shallow.
She knew his question, “Why are you with him?” But she didn’t know the answer. To her surprise he didn’t ask.
She looked up at Wes and saw the anger and hurt in his eyes. “Just know…” he started then looked away.
“What?” She asked.
“Nothing.”
