He looks up, wide eyes with their dark smudge of eyeliner. Alone now, in the cold of the night. He begins to walk away, still gazing at the stars, no destination in mind. The long street is empty; he prefers it that way. Turning the corner, he passes the church, its coloured windows sparkling on the path outside. He walks on, pulling his coat tighter around his thin form. His footsteps echo in the emptiness.
Then, in the corner of his eye, a movement. He turns his head, sees her leaning against the railings of the park. Beneath the streetlight her coat is the colour of blood; her eyes glitter like black diamonds. She does not look at him. Her gaze is captured by a wild-eyed black cat, stalking the street. He watches them for a moment, until hissing, the cat runs away. His eyes are thoughtful as he walks towards her, and she meets his gaze. Stares into his soul. Breath catches in his throat, he stops.
She moves silently towards him and holds out her hand. He doesn't move. She reaches up, touches his face. Fingers like ice burn his skin. He gasps as her lips touch his, then pulls her to him with a desperate need. Time stands still, the world dissolves. A cat screams in another street as she drags him into the shadows.
Emma 27 December 2001
Back to Words Back to Contents
