Page 56 of She Who Was Once the Sea

"See you soon!" I waved at him as I walked, feeling his eyes on me until I turned a corner and disappeared into the maze of the city.

Just as I thought, it was quick work to find someone once Garrett was out of my way.

I saw him as I walked down a long, unlit street in the University District. He was leaning against a wall, smoking a cigarette, and he openly eyed me up and down as I passed him. I let myself make quick eye contact, then diverted my gaze, staring at the ground and trying my best to look like a frightened little rabbit.

They loved it when I looked frightened.

I stopped at the entrance to an even darker alley lined with trash cans and construction tape. I looked around like I was lost, furrowing my brow and spinning in place.

Sure enough, he followed, hands in his pockets, the glow of his cigarette the clearest indication that he was getting closer.

I knew the darkness would hide my smirk as I lowered my head and stepped into the alley. It only took a few seconds before I heard his footsteps behind me, echoing off the stones.

About halfway down the alley, I stopped walking, moving my head back and forth again, still feigning fear and ignorance.

Those slow, meticulous footsteps got closer.

Finally, I turned around, eyes wide, pretending like I was about to head back towards the main road.

And he was there. I didn’t quite bump into him, but he was close enough that I was almost startled.

Almost.

Still, I let myself scream, just a little, to show my surprise. I faked a stumble backwards, letting him reach out and catch me with rough, calloused hands.

"Whoa there," he said, voice slightly muffled by the cigarette between his lips. He spoke to me in English, clearly believing me a tourist, but his voice was heavily accented. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you."

Didn’t you though?

I opened my eyes as wide as they would go, pupils darting in every direction. "It’s okay," I said in a squeak. "Thank you." I reached up and tried to pull his fingers away.

He didn’t let go. "You’re not lost, are you?" His voice was gentle. He would almost seem friendly if it weren’t for the underlying excitement evident in every word.

"Oh, no," I answered in that same, frightened little voice. "Just meeting some friends."

Where was Garrett? I hadn’t thought he was far enough away to lose me, but I also hadn’t heard his footsteps follow us down the alley.

A slimy smile split the man’s face, and he used his tongue to slide the cigarette from one corner of his mouth to the other.

"Oh really?" he asked. "I haven’t seen anyone else around here. Not for a while."

My heart was beating faster for real now, but not because I was scared. No. The more of his predatory intent he revealed, the more I felt the exhilaration rising in my chest.

I didn’t need Garrett. I’d done this a thousand times before. He could have my leftovers.

"They’re definitely here." I let my voice betray the lie. "I just missed the turn—"

"Sssshhhhhhh." He took a step towards me. His left hand maintained a strong grip on the top of my arm, while his right slid slowly downward. I let him walk me backwards one step, and then another, until he’d pushed me even further into the shadows.

Good boy, I thought.

"There’s no need to lie," he said softly, bringing his nose down to brush against my cheek. I could feel the heat from the cigarette on my neck. "Maybe fate brought us together tonight."

Just as I began to raise my hand to grab his throat, something hooked my arms from behind, pulling them together with enough force to make me cry out in pain as it felt like my shoulders would rip from their sockets.

A hand covered my mouth.

There were two of them. How had I missed the second person?