Glowing Red Eyes

I’m standing in complete darkness, but the darkness isn’t unwelcoming; it's like a soft caress that’s welcoming me. I’m not one to shy away from the darkness but how accustomed I have become to it, it's a little frightening. I feel someone standing in the darkness with me, but I can never see their face. I know they are watching me though, the only thing I can make out is the golden-red glowing eyes. Something inside me stirs and I have this sudden urge to move closer to this person.

But I cannot get my feet to move, I suppose that’s a good thing but this tug inside me won’t let up. Who are you? I call to the glowing pair of eyes. The only response I get is a deep sinful laugh that sends all kinds of tingles shooting down my body. I close my eyes and feel a slight blush creeping up my neck. Strange that my body reacted that way, I opened my eyes only to find the glowing pair of eyes that were no longer there. Disappointment fills me. I bow my head cursing myself inside my head, This isn’t normal Bree. But all too soon I feel the light penetrating through the world of darkness knowing that the real world is calling to me. Just as I am being sucked back into the real world I hear the faint sinfully sexy voice “You will be mine soon enough”.

                                                                                                 ***

I blink my eyes open, my alarm is going off. I internally groan at 6:30 a.m. I pull the blankets back and stretch my body hearing all the pops and cracks. I stand and make my way into my tiny bathroom which consists of a toilet, shower and basin. It’s not much but it's mine. I had to start from nothing and it beats living in the woods in that little shack I found. I was 16 years old the day my family basically got rid of me. I came home from school only to find them standing there with pain-stricken worried faces. I kept asking them what was wrong but they wouldn’t tell me anything, Just that it wasn’t safe for me here anymore.

They handed me a backpack packed to the brim with my belongings and some cash and told me to run and never come back. I was a crying sobbing mess that day and I didn't even get a chance to hug them goodbye. They all but shoved me out the door. So I took off running into the woods and I didn't stop. I jumped on a train and headed as far away as I could get from Halohelm. But I did go back, I went back a few weeks later and the devastation of what lay before me nearly killed me.

My childhood home was in ruins, there was dried blood splatter around where the front door would have been. I searched everywhere for any sign of bodies, but it was like they had all disappeared. But with the amount of blood I saw there is no way they survived. I shake that thought away and continue with my morning routine, if I stay busy I don’t get those weird headaches.

They started when I was 16 and then this weird mark appeared on my arm as well, I have to always take my medication on time which helps. But the times I have forgotten or wanted to see what would happen to me if I didn't take it, well let’s just say that things haven’t ended well. I have always been a good girl, listening to my parents and never questioning them on anything. So I thought why not, what’s the worst that’s going to happen? Well, I have woken up in random places and weird things plague my dreams for weeks after, not to mention the weird ass tingles and electricity that feels like it’s coursing through my veins. Sometimes I even think my eyes glow, they are a very bright sapphire colour. Which if you ask me is weird. I get asked constantly if I’m wearing contacts, just thinking about it makes me want to roll my eyes.

I brush my teeth wash my face and walk back into my bedroom, I grab my work uniform that’s hanging on the back of my door and get dressed. I tie my hair up in a high ponytail do a once over in the mirror and walk out into the kitchen. I turn on my coffee machine and start to look for my shoes. I have the breakfast shift at the diner this morning and god knows I need my coffee. My tiny apartment makes everything so quick and easy, my kitchen, dining area and lounge are all joined together and my bedroom is just around the corner. I find my shoes thrown next to the door and slip them on, the smell of coffee is calling to me. I walk over and pour myself a cup to go and add some sugar, while I’m putting the lid on my phone with a notification.

  Adrian- Hey you working today?

 Me- Yes I have the breakfast shift :(

Adrian- well good news Joe called in sick, I’ll pick you up in 5min

Me- OMG life saver! See you in a few.

                                                                ***

While I’m waiting outside my apartment it's freezing. Luckily I grabbed my puffer jacket and scarf, the cold and I do not go well together. I hold my thermo cup tightly to keep my hands warm, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about the golden glowing red eyes. There is something so familiar about them, but at the same time it scares me, scares me how easily I would have gone to him. Like even though it was a dream I wanted him, deep in my bones I wanted that person. I’m putting this down to loneliness. I tell myself, I’m lonely and I’m seeking comfort, from made-up dream people it seems.

Before I can dwell anymore on my dream Adrian pulls up, beeping the horn and making bypasses stare. Embarrassing. I get in the car with a pout and slam the door, The heater is cranking and it's so toasty warm in here. I sigh leaning back into the seat. I hear Adrian clear his throat. I turn to face him with a slight smirk on my face, “Are you not going to say hi” he says. I reply “Not with the way you embarrassed me” he just looks at me with an open mouth to which we both burst out laughing.

We talk about boring stuff, the weather, work and music and then we settle into a nice comfortable silence. As we drive through the city of Trohelm I watch the buildings pass by tall towering buildings where the hustle and bustle of businessmen and women race inside. The streets are lined with slightly icy pavements and people all rugged up preparing for the snowfall that’s about to come in a few weeks. I close my eyes, savouring the warmth of the heater, when Adrian asks me if I need a refill of my medication. It was so hard to find anyone to fill my prescription here, they all looked at me like I was crazy and turned me away. I was so distraught that day, I came into work a mess. I was nearly hyperventilating with panic.

It wasn’t until Adrian came and helped me calm down that I was able to speak and tell him what was the matter. He told me he would take care of it, which I didn’t know what he meant but he has helped me so much and always makes sure I have enough medication. I turn to him “I think I will need a top-up soon, I’m down to a quarter of the bottle” He just nods his head and stares back at the road.

Another five minutes pass and we pull up outside “The Urban Grind Diner '', the old-style diner has been repainted to look like an 80’s theme. It is well taken care of with its red and white striped front with a massive flashing neon sign that can be seen miles away. As soon as the door opens I'm blasted with the ice-cold wind and quickly pull my puffer jacket tighter around me, I shut the door quickly and I practically run into the diner. The heat from inside instantly hits my face and makes my nose tingle but I welcome it, Adrian pushes me from behind to keep walking and I return his push with a scowl. He just laughs and walks off towards the back to which I follow so I can put my stuff in my locker. We greet everyone as we pass by, lucky it’s still early enough that the only people here are just wanting coffee to go.

                                                                  ***

The morning rush starts a little slower today, must be due to the weather. It doesn’t bother me though, I make my way to the counter to pick up my orders and take them to their table They thank me and as I turn around the bell above the entrance chimes. I look towards the door and notice a man walking in, I cannot see his face due to him wearing a hood but I make my way over to him anyway. “Hi, welcome to the Urban Grind. Would you like a booth or a seat at the counter”? He lifts his head and I swear I hear him take a big inhale of breath like he is smelling the air or something.

He pulls back his hood and I’m pretty sure my heart stops. The most breathtaking man stands before me, he is gorgeous with short dark wavy hair. wearing a tailored suit that screams wealth, and a panty-dropping smile but what has my attention the most is his eyes. They are mesmerising like a golden brown which could almost pass as turning red. I give my head a little shake, he knows I’m basically checking him out by the slight smirk playing on those full lips. I clear my throat and ask again “booth or counter seat”. Booth seat, please. His voice is deep with a slight huskiness to it, but holy shit it has this weird effect on me. I feel liquid heat start to pool low in my stomach, and that’s when I see it. I swear his eyes just glowed, but it's gone as quickly as it came. My heart starts to race and I have to literally pinch myself to get a grip. If you follow me please, I tell him. I lead the way towards the middle of the diner where I know the best booth is,

The cushions in the section are always better and with the suit he is wearing, I know he will tip me well. Once I have him seated I inform him of the breakfast special but he only asks for coffee. I smile and tell him I'll be back shortly, but he grabs my hand so quickly that he shocks me. I jerk my hand out of his grip and just stare down at my hand. What the fuck was that I think to myself, I look up to find him looking at me like I have grown three heads. “I asked you if Adrian is working. '' He asked me a question. I didn't even hear him. I simply just nod my head quickly turn on my heel and walk as quickly as I can towards the kitchens.

I burst through the kitchen doors, which ended up hitting the walls and scaring the shit out of Adrian. He jumps in his spot and whirls around to face me. “What the hell, Bree? '' he says. But he must see the weird look I have on my face because he walks over to me and asks me what’s wrong. I start to tell him that there is a hot guy with weird eyes sitting in the middle booth asking for him. His face pales slightly but then he flashes me a smile and tells me not to worry that it’s just having a friend. Before I can say anything else he walks out the doors and makes his way into the dining area. I stand inside the kitchen for a good five minutes or so and then remember that guy wanted coffee, I spring into action and make my way towards the coffee pot.

I look over towards Adrian and I find him in deep conversation and basically speaking in hushed whispers. He sees me watching and quickly avoids eye contact, Well that’s weird I think to myself. I continue with my task and once I have the coffee ready I make my way over to his table, they instantly stop talking and both turn to stare at me. “Here’s your coffee” Adrian looks like he is about to say something but a look from the sexy guy has him shutting his mouth. I pour the coffee and ask if that would be all, He just nods his head and turns back to Adrian, who then gives me a forced smile for me to leave. A few more customers entered the diner which kept me busy for the next hour which meant Adrian had to get back in the kitchen.

The rush made the time go quickly enough that I almost didn’t notice the sexy guy getting up to leave. I walked past him to go and clean his table when his arms brushed up against mine and again I got that same shock. Seriously, the static on this guy is ridiculous. I jerk back slightly to again find him smirking down at me, Thanks for the coffee Bree, I'll be seeing you soon. And just like that, he left. What a weirdo, who even says that. And how did he even know my name, I didn’t tell him but then I remembered I was wearing a name tag you idiot. I continued walking to the booth he was sitting in, my mouth all but drops open. Sitting on the table next to the untouched coffee is a stack of hundred-dollar bills. I snatch up the money and race to the door, I rip open the door and rush into the freezing cold wind looking around the car park only to find it empty. How the hell did he leave that quickly?

                                                                                          ***

The rest of the morning flies by, and before I know it, it's time to leave. Adrian offers to take me home which I gladly accept. But the car ride home is filled with awkward tension. Nothing like this morning where we were laughing. I wonder if it's got to do with Mr. Sexy Guy. I glance at him and notice his hands gripping the steering wheel rather tightly. Adrian, are you OK, I ask him. He doesn’t even glance at me, doesn’t even acknowledge me. It’s like he is so deep in thought that he can’t hear me.

I touch his arm and the car suddenly jerks to the side, I let out a slight yelp and grab onto the door tightly. I hear him curse himself while he rights the car back properly onto the road. “Oh my god, Bree are you okay”? I’m fine Adrian, are you OK though I say. He says he is but I know he is lying. He does this thing where his nose slightly twitches when he isn’t telling the truth. I built up the courage to ask him about Mr sexy, So who was that guy today? I see his jaw clench and his nostrils flare, he is no one you need to concern yourself with, he tells me. We pulled up outside my apartment.

I turn and look back at Adrian. I give him a sad smile and tell him I'll see him later. I swing the door open and grab my handbag. Adrian grabs my arm scaring me and causing me to drop and spill the whole contents of my bag half in his car and half in the gutter. “OH MY GOD BREE, I'M SO SORRY” he all but shouts at me, It’s fine don't worry about it. I quickly grab everything I can see and all but jump from the car. I give him a small wave turn on my heel and race inside the building.