23 Pain in the neck (1/2)

Shelly woke up to a sharp pain in her neck. Her head was spinning, and it was a struggle to open her eyes. Her eyes trailed around the unfamiliar room as she struggled to focus, to be able to recognize anything through the haze of her usually keen eyes.Panic began to set in as her eyesight slowly began to clear.She was in what looked to be an apartment, though the area around her was very scantly decorated there was a very masculine presence.She fought against the fog clouding her mind as she tried to recall the last things she remembered before waking up in this strange room.A sluggish memory of being woke up in her bed returned. {That's right, Russ and Jos... but wait then Raven and I went to the beach this morning... Morning?} Shelly glanced around for a window.When her eyes finally fell on a pair of very thick curtains she let out a heavy sigh.{There is no sign of light coming from behind them... So it's night?}She racked her brain harder trying as hard as she could to recall what else had happened.A blurred image of a man kept surfacing then just as soon disappearing.

A light sound of movement sounded somewhere close by.She tried to turn her head toward another noise off to her left but the pain in her neck sent a stabbing ache through her whole body causing a moan to escape her throat.Instinctively she brought her fingers up to where the pain was coming from.The area was wet and sticky and sore to the touch.She brought her fingers in front of her face.She let out a shocked scream when she saw the dark crimson blood that covered her fingertips.

”Ah, you're awake.” Dante laughed as he set a cell phone down on the table in front of her.To her surprise, it was her own cell phone. He followed her eyes to the phone. ”Ah yes, I had to make a call.”A sadistic grin contorted his face.

The face that had flashed through her memories was now staring down at her in full focus, as she returned his gaze her full memory of the past several hours slowly came back to her in a jumbled mix.Shelly jumped back against the back of the couch as her brain yelled at her to get away, but an agonizing pain shot through her neck and head.She grabbed her head and laid back down onto the couch.”What have you done to me?”

Dante forged surprised offense at her words, ”What did I do? Well, you drank too much princess, and passed out… of course.” He sent her an innocent smile.

Shelly glared at him as she ran her fingers back across the wet, sore spot on her neck. ”Then why is my neck covered in blood?!”

Dante flashed her a wide full-toothed grin, he waited patiently as realization sank into his current playthings head. {Wolf, ha what a joke! More like a mouse.} Dante thought as she crossed his arms over his chest and took a step toward her, still grinning widely.

It took Shelly's fogged brain several more minutes to register the fangs overlapping Dante's bottom row of teeth, and a few minutes after that to piece together what it all meant.Fear seized her entire body as her mind yelled frantically at her to hurry and escape. ”You… You're… a… a…” She struggled to get up but, fell against the couch again.She was too dizzy, she had lost too much blood.As he slowly made his way toward her, she dropped onto her knees and crawled around the edge of the couch.She could see a door right behind the table but try as she might she couldn't work up the strength to stand.He was now standing directly behind her, the wicked grin still on his face. She glanced back, sensing his slow taunting pursuit of her.”Don't… Don't come any closer!” she tried to yell but the words just came out as a choked sob.

Dante grinned wider allowing his fangs to extend more, ”Ah but Princess, it's been so long since I've had the blood of a virgin.” He grabbed hold of her ankle and pulled her closer to him. She tried to fight back kicking out in his direction and clawing at the carpet, but it was pointless.He sank his teeth into her again this time on the inside of her thigh. He pulled back and laughed, ”Ah so good!I just can't restrain myself.” He dropped back down over her and began feeding once again.

Joslyn set in the sand wrapped in a blanket with her head rest against a log.Russ, Rin, and Gabe were by the water line playing around splashing each other. It was amusing watching them and somewhat arousing.She watched as the moonlight caused the droplets of water running down Russ's bare chest sparkle like glistening pearls.

”I would flop down here beside you and say something witty like 'kids will be kids' but I'm pretty sure Rin is older than all of us combined.” Naru said as he sat down beside Joslyn, following her gaze to the group playing by the water.

Joslyn had been so caught up in watching Russ that she hadn't even heard Naru approach. ”You're not going to join them?” She laughed when he wrinkled his nose at the idea. ”If you dislike water so much, how did you make it on the swim team?”

Naru laughed, ”I force myself to jump in and the motivation to get back out drives me quickly to the other side.” He winked down at her, but when she gave him a doubtful look he became serious as he looked back out toward where the others were. ”Life is full of uncomfortable situations, and when it comes down to it we all have two options… Avoid the situation all together or make the best of it. I chose to make the best of my fear of water several years ago.” He looked back down at Joslyn, ”In the process of getting over my fear of water, I actually became a very strong swimmer. I joined the swim team at the local Y and won several competitions, enough so that I got a scholarship to come here for it.” He shrugged his shoulders, ”I still avoid water but I'm not afraid of it anymore. Plus, it gets the team more publicity having a cat that hates water on it.”

Joslyn couldn't hold back her laughter, ”I could see that!” she laughed. They both laughed together until a strange sound shocked Joslyn into silence. ”Did… you… just…. purr?”

Naru blushed deeply, ”Yea, sorry…” he ran his hand over the top of his hair, ”It just kinda happens sometimes.” He looked away from her embarrassment still written on his face.

Joslyn stared at him, still in shock, for a minute before reaching out and petting one velvety ear.

Another purr slipped out right before Naru jerked back around to look at Joslyn, surprise lighting up his face.