Chapter 2

Annonomous

Grayclaw Ridge is a cesspool of debauchery. A werewolf city where those who want people to turn a blind eye do. The crime in this city is unlike any other and I have been summoned to do one of my favourite jobs. Tracking down a lowly human slave who has run off with a ruby ring of her master. Tut tut.

I tuck my hood up, walking down the cobbled narrow streets as the rain pours relentlessly. I have nothing but a picture of the girl in question. A frail looking red head no doubt starved and beaten by her master. It’s hardly a wonder why she stole from him, not that I care. I will be paid for my services with the bonus of hearing her scream and begging for mercy. I feel my blood zing at the thrill of it.

I turn down another lane, one where the wretched layout on the street begging for anything money, food in exchange for the only product they can give. Their bodies. I suspect my conquest will be down here, no doubt lying low. I smirk, my fingers itching to touch her skin, feel the beat of her pulse quicken before I begin her punishment. 

I see a pair of striking blue eyes lock onto mine, freezing momentarily before the girl takes off down the street, knocking into various passers-by looking for their nightly conquest. “Watch it!” a gruff man cries as he pays a woman, lowering his trousers for her. The woman looks close to death. I guess this will be her last meal. I see a flash of red and charge after her. I know it is the girl I am looking for. Why else would she run from me?

I chase after her with ease but slow my pace, wanting to give her a slither of hope that maybe just maybe she might just escape. It’s just so much more thrilling seeing that spark fade from their eyes when they believe they have finally evaded me. Still, tonight I’m not in the mood for a long chase. Tonight, I want this over with.

She turns the corner, disappearing from sight and I use a cut through in the wall to catch up with her. In the shadows I hide as she scans the deserted warehouse, checking to see if I have followed the poor little love. If only she knew how close I truly was. I see her let out that precious sigh of relief. Her shoulders relax and a glimmer of a smile appears on her face before I snap my fingers on the match. The flicker of a flame appears in the shadows. I watch as the little colour in her cheeks fades and her eyes bulge.

“Please don’t do this. He was a monster. I just needed some money to escape. You have no idea how he treated me,” she begs, staring into the dark as tears stream down her face. It’s probably true. After all, everyone knows why a werewolf would want a human slave. Still, her fear feasters into all areas of the room as she gasps for breath, only sealing her fate and my enjoyment.

I step out from the shadows as she trembles before me. She is a tiny thing. This won’t take long at all. I can already hear her heart thundering in her chest. I tilt my head to the side as the match burns out, her breath clouding the air before I relight it again, inches from her face. “Please,” she whispers, her throat closing up as she begs one last time.

I look at her deep blue eyes as she trembles some more, dropping the match to the floor as I grab hold of her shoulders, trapping her in place. My nose itches when I smell the scent of her wee permeates the air. “I won’t make this quick. I like hearing screams,” I whisper menacingly as the flames begin to engulf around us. The fire catches hold of both of us as her first shriek sounds. She tries to fight her way out but is unable to. The pain is already too much for her frail body to bear.

The stench of burning flesh fills the air and I laugh, inhaling deeply as she lets out one final shriek before her body goes unconscious, the flames licking up her arms. I snicker, her red hair blending with the fire that consumes her. I drop her to the ground, checking her pocket for the ruby ring she stole. It is indeed beautiful as I pocket it, walking out of the fire as the flames consume her.