Darkness slowly spread across the earth.
It's their time now.
The creatures of the night.
They creep from every dark corner and forgotten places.
The world is transformed after sunset.
It's their world now.
To venture out into their world was to take one's own life into their hands.
Luckily, and at the same time, unfortunately, for the general populace, they are blissfully unaware of this transformation.
As such their lives can be lead in peace with out fear from whatever may be lurking.
Simultaneously, this allows them to also be both the victim and the prey for the night's deadly predators.
Many dangers lurk in the night.
Beware and be warned.
****
The moon has now risen into it's position in the sky. It radiates a beautiful white glow, dimly illuminating the land below. The stars that dot the dark tapestry of the sky, as well as the few lamps along the streets, only add to the shadows that already dance over the city.
One of the many, "Working Girls" that roam the streets in clothing that leaves little to the imagination, takes a solitary stroll down on of the city's streets. The cold wind nips at her exposed skin and more then anything she wants to go home. To the warmth and the light. Still, if she doesn't get at least one "client" tonight, she won't have her home much longer. She stares down at the sidewalk, the clicking of her shoes against the pavement the only sound save for the traffic in the distance. She is lost in her own thoughts. Reflecting on why she is in the place and where she went wrong.
She had dreams, like most any person. When she was younger, she pictured herself, by this age, as a Broadway actress. One of the performers in the big show. You know the one's with the lines around the block and that seem to run forever. In high school she was in every play and even a few in college. Then came what she thought would be her big break. She auditioned and got a small part in large production. She could see it and still even now. She would impress the hell out of the director and whoever else she needed to. From there, she would land more parts with increasing importantance. Eventually, she would be in the big show and maybe even have her name on a marquee. That was the dream.
This is the nightmare.
Reality.
Catherine is 24 years old and has been a "Professional" for just over two years now. This is not the life she pictured. Even now she wonders how did it all go wrong. After her big break, she dropped out of college and moved to the big city. She auditioned for every acting job she could. Even got a few callbacks but, never got a part larger then understudy, for a minor player. It didn't take long for all the money she brought with her, her entire life's savings, to run dry. She didn't see many options left and didn't want to go home to mom and dad for help. More so, she didn't want to seem a failure to her family and peers. If only they could see her now, imagine how proud they would be? At a try-out, another of the would be actresses told her of a quick way to get money.
At first Catherine was horrified by the notion, which in light of her current line of work and how quickly she accepted it, is rather ironic. She was told of a club, that had an open amateurs night, which was used to cull new talent. In polite society, this would be refereed to as a "Gentleman's club", to most other's, it's a strip joint. Catherine saw little other alternative and tried out.
She landed a bi-weekly slot and was soon back on her feet. As the time went on, and her frustration with her floundering acting career grew, Catherine began working more nights and made much more money. Yet, as with all in life, the good is always followed by the bad. Catherine was able to replenish her savings but, soon found herself living a life of excess. This too started off slowly. A few drinks here, a joint there. It grew and snowballed. She binge drank every evening when her set was done, and started each morning with a line, chased by a shot with lunch. Her spending soon began to out match her earnings. She asked the club owner for more hours but, he began to suspect her use and abuse. There was one law laid down in the beginning.
"You stay clean, you can work here as much and as long as possible. If I find out you're into drugs or anything else illegal, you're gone. No excuses. No exceptions."
Once again, Catherine was left with no work and no money. By now her dream was left at the proverbial wayside. She had nowhere to go and no where to turn. Then came Anthony. He showed her way to make money and fast. Kind soul he was, he even offered to keep her safe and sound, at a count of her earnings of course.
This isn't the life Catherine had imagined for herself.
Yet, this is the life she's living because she feels powerless to change it.
"Good evening." Came a voice from the shadows.
Catherine turned around quickly, startled by the unexpected words.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." said the man as he walked into the light. His voice was calm and soothing, like soft music. "I saw you walking and couldn't help but notice that you were all alone. You do know it's dangerous to be out after dark. You never know what kind of creatures could be out. I just wanted to assure myself that nothing was amiss, before I continued on my lonely way."
Catherine smiled a small smile to the man as her heart stopped pounding against her chest. It was all she could do to stop from staring at him. His hair, dark as the night itself. The way he dressed seemed to suggest he was fairly well off and barely hid the athletic build of his tall body. The eyes were her hang up though. She couldn't help but find herself gazing into them and losing herself. They were serene and piercing at the same time, almost as if they saw into her soul.
"Believe me," she finally responded, "if I could be anywhere but, out here right now I would be." A coy smile lit her lips and her intent was obvious in her eyes. "I don't suppose you know of somewhere I could go?"
The chuckled and smiled as he slowly approached the woman. He reached out and gently touched her cheek. His fingers followed her jaw line down and slid off and slowly trailed off at her chin. "You are quite beautiful." he spoke softly, so much so it could barely be heard.
"Th...thank you." she replied. Surprised.
"I find it hard to believe that one such as you has needs to resort to such deplorable and desperate a way to make the ends meet."
Catherine looked down in shame until a gentle hand guided her eyes back to his.
"Do you desire to be free of this wretched life?" he asked her, his eyes seeming to glow in the moonlight.
Catherine's heart pounded in her chest and her throat went dry. She found herself unable to move, and even if she could, she would not wish too. Her eyes were fixed on his and her soul drowned in them. Her breathe became slow and heavy.
"I can take you away from all of this." He continued, his voice still calm and soft. "I can give you a whole new life. I can free you. All you need do is say 'Yes.'."
Catherine's heartbeat increased and she found it harder to breathe. She felt scared, anxious, unsure, and excited all in the same breathe. She couldn't think of more then his pale eyes and his velvet voice. She finally managed to utter out the word. It was soft and barely audible.
"y...yes."
A smile that betrayed his intent spread across the man's face.
****
Elsewhere.
Across town.
The apartment of N.Y.P.D. officer Ami Donavon to be specific. A fiery haired woman hurriedly packs a duffel bag with a few belongings. This would be officer Donavon. Despite her line of work, Ami tends to always be an energetic and positive person. A trait often found annoying by her fellow officers, most of whom have been around long enough, and seen enough to be entitled to be bitter. Still, to a few of the officers, she's a breathe of fresh air and a bright spot in their profession. Still, there's not an officer that would refuse to work with her. When it comes to the job she's totally professional and extremely by-the-book. When she needs to be anyway. You know what they say about rules.
"She's going to be so surprised." Ami said aloud in the empty room as she folded a shirt into the bag.
'It's been so long since I've seen her!' Officer Donavon continued but, this time quietly in her thoughts. 'I know that Cathy's going to be so surprised to see me! Last I talked to she said she was doing great and had some big roles in some big plays. My sister the superstar. Who'd a thunk it? Just hope I don't catch her at a busy time. Maybe next time I should call before I stop by a surprise visit. She won't care! I wonder what her place looks like! I didn't even haveher address!' She grinned with mischeif. 'Sometimes it pays to be a cop.'
Ami zipped the bag shut and set it by the door. 'Find out after work I guess. Just hope I won't be intruding.'
The next night.
Clouds hide the moon, dimming out it's usually brilliant glow. The street lights illuminate spots of the sidewalk and cast shadow's into the alley ways. A wind blows through echoes it's way across the concrete canyons. A lone figure walks down the street, her face looking puzzled and worried.
'This...this can't be right.' She thinks. 'Cathy made it sound like she was really making money. She made it sound like she was better off then I was. I remember her talking about great money and little effort. Was she lying? Why?'
Before Ami Donavon could continue her pondering, she noticed a small black purse several steps in from of her. Inches from the purse were several crimson drops. Donavon crouched down for a better look. Other then the blood, there didn't seem to be a sign of a struggle. Then again, there wasn't much to leave around to have been displaced in the first place. Although, she knew she shouldn't, curiosity got her better, and Ami opened the leather handbag.
'Maybe I can find out who this belongs too. I can take it to the station later and try to contact her to find out what happened. Or return it if it's simply lost. I hope that's all it is.' Ami thought as she flipped over the flap. She slowly pulled the zipper and gasped at what was inside. A small gold locket.
'But, that's.... No way, it's gotta be a coincidence. Still, it looks exactly like the locket, mom gave Cathy before she moved. Can't be!'
Ami dug through the purse and quickly found what she was looking for. Much to her dismay, it only confirmed what Donavon feared. Ami pulled out the driver's license and read the name. She didn't have to. The picture more then confirmed her fear.
"Donavon, Catherine." Ami said aloud. "God, please let her be ok!"
Ami stood up and sprinted to the her sister's apartment. What she would find there would only terrify and confuse her. What she wouldn't find, namely her sister, would scare her more then anything else.
The unknown.
The unpredictable.
They more then any have been the root of all of mankind's fears. Now, those fears tightly grip Officer Ami Donavon.
As the night embraces her sister.
To be continued.....
Questions or Comments?
