Come the night

The problem with working part time at the library was the knock-off time. I had no other issues with the job except that. There were no earlier shifts available and as a result, I always had to be the one locking up at 10pm. It’s not that I was an early sleeper; I just didn’t like the dark very much. As if it wasn’t bad enough, my route home usually involved a fairly long walk through the park. I could take the long way around it but that always cost me an extra half hour and with end of year assignments due in, I needed all the time I could find. Winter wasn’t usually so bad; most of the trees lost their leaves, leaving the area a little clearer and less intimidating. Spring and summer were not that kind, and that’s where my story starts; on a cloudy night in spring...

I checked the time as I locked the front doors; 10:30pm. There’s always that one person who thinks they are above the rules, whether it’s because they’re rich or because they are smart. Tonight, it was a two in one. Eric Reese, the newest addition to our college, was not only a brain box on campus but he came from money too; and he thought he could use that to gain an extra time in the library. Unfortunately for him, I disliked his attitude and tonight he had been on my turf. It felt good kicking him out, although it cost me. That stubborn jerk!

For the hundredth time that day, I regretted not bringing my coat. I don’t know when I’ll ever learn not to trust the weather forecast. Should have just followed my instincts! My grandmother always told me that our family had good instincts, a ‘knowing’, she used to call it. Right now, my instincts told me to go around, but having lost so much time already, I couldn’t afford to. So once again I brushed instinct aside. I will always wonder if things might have gone any differently.

The park was darker than usual as I made my way through the trees. It was called a park but it could very well have been a forest, the way it had so many trees. The footpaths were almost invisible and there were no markers to show the way; basically, it was easy to get lost. There was a little pond to my left which was very beautiful and full of ducks during the day. Right now it just seemed creepy, like something was going to rise out of the water and chase me for my soul. Ah. There goes my imagination again. I giggled lightly as I remembered how my grandmother always said my imagination was my worst enemy and my greatest ally.  That’s one of the main reasons I was afraid of the dark and even though I’m twenty-two, I still sleep with a night light. I looked away from the water and pushed forward. Only ten more minutes and I’m out of this place! I hesitated slightly as I went around a little bend. This particular area of the park was always darker than the rest and usually had couples that were making out. I always feel awkward going past them because it never fails to remind me of my lonely status.

I was surprised to see only one couple there but I would still have to walk past them. As I approached the couple, chills ran through my blood. I think the wind picked up a little and I felt the urge to run. I turned my head tentatively behind me and saw nothing there but the nagging feeling to escape still bothered me. I brushed it off as fantasy and tried to ignore it. I couldn’t help but notice how unresponsive the woman was as the guy kissed her neck. Her face was hidden from view but her arms simply lay limp against her sides. To think some people can be so ungrateful! What I wouldn’t give to be in her position. I was about to turn my head away when the guy lifted his head. A small smile played on his lips just before he licked off a small glint of red on the edge of his mouth. I don’t know why I had focused only on his mouth but I didn’t stop to think about it. My heart was racing as I tried to get out of the park without breaking my pace. I was tempted on several occasions to turn around but fear of what I would find there kept me going. I was glad when I could finally see the street lamp marking the edge of the park and there was someone standing underneath it.

I felt like a child running to the finish line, a burst of strength and relief flooded through me. Even though I was grateful to see another person, if what I had seen back there was true; I didn’t want to take any chances. I made my way past him without saying anything else. I had taken several steps when he spoke.

“Lovely night isn’t it?” His voice was so soft and low if I hadn’t known any better; I would have thought he was talking to someone else. I really didn’t want to be rude but I was still quite shaken so I tried to pretend I hadn’t heard him. I held my breath as I walked on, waiting for the telltale sound of footsteps behind me. I still had a couple of blocks left before I got home and I wished I had wings. I was both grateful and worried about the lack of people in the streets.

“Isn’t it a little careless for a young lady to be walking home alone this late?” I would be lying if I said I was a little startled. I hadn’t heard anything at all until he spoke. With the surrounding light, I felt a bit more confident but I didn’t want to look at him.

“It is; I normally don’t stay out this late, I just got a little delayed tonight.” I walked briskly, trying to control my breathing. I hoped my voice sounded as confident as I thought I made it.

“You do look like you’re in a hurry and if I may say so; you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” His statement quickly reminded me of my minor encounter and I thought I detected some slight humour in his voice.

“I’m not a big fan of the dark, that’s all.” I wanted to sound sarcastic but my voice came out whiny. I cleared my throat and increased my speed. Just one more block and I’m home! I realised that I really didn’t want to go home with him following me. There had to be some way to get rid of him, fast. At the intersection before my block, my prayers were answered.

“Well, as much as I would love to accompany you home, this is where we part.” I stopped to look at him but just my luck, my eyes were blinded by the street light behind him.

“Thank you for your company.” It felt right even though I hadn’t really asked in the first place. He had already started walking off.

“No problem, catch you later.” I could tell he smiled because I saw his teeth along with their sharp tips. I definitely wasn’t about to be caught by him anytime soon, I hope! I half ran across the road and when I got to the other side, I turned a final time. There was no one there. I assumed he had entered one of the houses but somewhere deep inside I knew that wasn’t the case.

By the time I got into my apartment I was too exhausted to do any work. I had a quick shower and checked my doors and windows for the umpteenth time since I entered. I was more than shaken up and as much as I wanted to just drift off to sleep, I kept replaying the night’s events. Somehow, I managed to fall asleep; but my dreams were far from restful.


I had no classes the next day and spent most of the time in the library. If I haven’t mentioned by now, social skills were not exactly my strong points. I didn’t have much in the way of friends and I wasn’t the type to just go hang out by myself. That was one of the reasons I spent my time studying or working. It definitely came as a shock when Eric came to talk to me.

“You’ve got guts.” He sat across from me with a poker face. I couldn’t tell if what he was saying was a compliment or a reprimand. I wasn’t in the mood for talking so I started packing my books.

“Sorry, I’ve got some catching up to do.” It’s not as if he was going to ask me out! I almost blushed at that thought. I may hate his attitude but I had to admit, he was gorgeous; with his hazel eyes and dark curls. He was picture perfect and I knew standing next to him I looked like a rag doll. I was a fairly plain Jane where looks where concerned.

“I’m pretty sure you’re not behind on anything considering how much studying you do already.” The casual way he said that statement surprised me and I lost hold of my books.

“How would you know that?” I asked as I scrambled to pick up the books that had dropped.

“I see you all the time, whether it’s during a break or while you’re working here, you’ve always got your nose stuck in a book.” He helped me pick up the last of my books. I put it in my bag then paused to look at him. Ooh, he is just too cute for words.

“What do want? If it’s about last night, I’m sorry but I was tired and it was closing time anyway.” I sighed heavily as I lifted the bag to my shoulder.

“Actually, I’m sorry about that. I’ve been trying to talk to you for some time but hadn’t quite figured out how to approach you.” My eyes almost popped out of their sockets. I couldn’t believe what he had just said. I wondered if I was having some kind of realistic delusion.

“I really have to go. I’ve got work later and I want to drop these off at home before I start.” I turned to walk away, better to just pretend that never happened.

“Wait,” He actually grabbed my arm, “At least let me give you a ride?” I looked down at his hand and so did he just before he released me. I was speechless and just stood there looking at him.

“I actually just wanted to ask if you wanted to go get some lunch with me, I know your shift starts at five; that gives you plenty of time. I’m sorry if I’ve gone about it the wrong way again. Believe it or not, talking to girls is a big weakness of mine.” He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. I snapped out of my trance and gave him a slow nod. It was an interesting thing to see and if I wasn’t feeling shocked at his offer, I might have burst out laughing.

“Is that a yes to the lift or grabbing a bite; maybe both?”

“I’d rather walk, but I haven’t eaten anything since morning.” I don’t know where I got the courage to say that but I was glad I had. After all, it’s not every day one of the hottest guys on campus asks you out.

“Great!” Anyone could have clearly seen the relief written all over his face accompanied by a huge smile. I was totally enraptured by it that I didn’t notice him taking my bag.

“I said I’d rather walk-”
“Yeah, you don’t mind the company do you?”

He automatically walked towards the shortcut through the park. My blood turned cold as I suddenly remembered last night.

“Are you OK? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” My head snapped to look at him. He kept his face stoic but I could detect some kind of secret joke. Was it just a coincidence that he had said the same thing as the guy last night?

“I’m fine, just a little chilly.” I caught up to him and we walked on quietly. The ducks were back and were playing around in the water. The sight of them set me at ease a little. We went round the bend and for a split second, I saw the couple from the previous night. My feet froze and I took a sharp intake of breath.

“Hey, seriously, are you alright?” The bench was empty and Eric looked really concerned. I needed to tell somebody about what happened but I couldn’t even explain it to myself, let alone someone else. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning to look at him.

“I’m fine thanks, I thought I might have mistaken my shifts for today that’s all.” I could tell from his expression he wasn’t completely convinced but thankfully he left it at that. It was my first time getting this close to a guy, I wondered if I could trust him. Worst case scenario, he would think I was weird and want nothing more to do with me. That wouldn’t be so bad, especially since nothing had started yet. Oh well!

We reached my apartment and I dropped of my books and we headed straight to the little cafe on the corner of my block.

“Eric, don’t you have a girlfriend?” I don’t know why it had escaped my mind. I had seen him several times during the class breaks hanging around with Patrina Jones, for some reason she wanted everyone to call her Missy. She was quite beautiful though, as well as rich and fairly smart. Honestly sometimes being in College felt a lot like high school all over; the pretty blonde Cheerleader and her posse on one end and the nerdy girl on the other. Normally the cheerleader went out with rich jock not the rich popular geek. Mm, but I couldn’t really call Eric a geek though.

“If you mean Missy, I don’t know why everyone thinks that.” He looked slightly annoyed at the thought.

“Well it’s a bit difficult to ignore the two of you whenever you’re together. You look like a Hollywood couple.” I regretted the words instantly. I felt my face flush. Eric simply chuckled.

“Seriously? I guess I never looked at it that way. She’s not really my type though.” Part of me wanted desperately to believe that he was dropping me some kind of hint, but honestly?
Our booth was located near the back of the cafe. I had purposely picked the location because I knew Eric was likely to attract a little too much attention; unfortunately it hadn’t worked. The waitress brought our drinks and took our orders. I ordered a chicken burger and a salad. I would have normally ordered chips but I guess I was trying to impress.

“You didn’t really strike me like the salad type.” Subconsciously I looked down at myself. I’m not sure if he realised what he was saying but I suddenly felt really self conscious.

“Are you saying I’m fat?” I was just joking but my tone might have been a little too serious.

“No, not at all; in fact I really like your body. It’s healthy and I normally associate salad with those skinny types.” I hated that I made him so uncomfortable but at the moment I was just a fish out of water. The most I had ever had in terms of conversation with a guy was when someone asked for a reference book from the library. Sitting in a cafe with this young Johnny Depp was more than I could ever have hoped for.

“Do you believe in Vampires?” Whenever I was faced with an awkward situation, one of my worst problems was verbal diarrhoea. Of all topics, why this one? Just as I prepared to change my question, he answered.

“Hmm, that’s an interesting topic, very random, but interesting. Do you?”

“Well, I guess I do. I mean there must be some truth to it right?”

“That’s true. Well I believe in their existence as well.” It was hard to imagine that such an intelligent person wasn’t bashing me in for believing in myths. “In fact, I’m a vampire and I’m actually 524years old. It’s quite refreshing to meet someone like you after all that time.”

I honestly didn’t know whether to be angry or to just run out crying. My hands were balled into small fists and I was shaking. I didn’t know if the tears that stung my eyes were of shame or frustration. I suppose I really should have seen it coming but sometimes I choose to ignore logic. The story of my life; the day I choose logic my instincts prove correct and the day I follow my instincts I get screwed over. Thankfully my burger was finished. I couldn’t finish the salad and now I had the perfect reason not to stay for it. He remained completely calm while watching my reaction and that made my blood boil even more.

“Well, that’s great to know. I’ll be sure to come to you for some history tips.” I gave him the best smile I could muster but I suppose it must have come across as a sneer. I was about to stand up but his phone went off. Even though I wanted to leave as soon as possible I figured it would be courteous to at least wait for his call to finish. He excused himself and went to take the call somewhere else. After waiting for an extra ten minutes and still no sign of him, I went to the till.

“Thank you and have a good day.” She smiled at me as I approached her. Is she talking to me? I checked behind me but there was no one else there.

“Oh by the way, the gentleman you were with left a note for you just before he left. He paid the bill already.” Ditched in a cafe!! I really should have seen this coming. What good could possibly come out of spending time with that idiotic jerk? I accepted the note and walked out of the shop. I still had time before my shift started, so I decided against taking the shortcut. Curiosity won out and I read the note:

Gabriella
I’m terribly sorry I had to leave on such short notice. I’m really glad we talked; you’re more interesting than I thought. I do wish I could have finished our discussion but urgent matters have come up. Thanks for eating with me, I enjoyed it.
Eric

A few tears escaped but I wiped them away before they could leave any evidence. I looked at the note again. It’s been a long time since anyone called me that. I couldn’t get to work quickly enough. I tried repeatedly to forget what had happened that afternoon but it was difficult. Part of me had enjoyed that Eric Reese had shown interest in me. For so long I had been off the radar, I was practically non-existent. Having a guy come up to talk to me like that, well, I guess my hormones were feeling a little deprived. Still, he had taken being a jerk to a new low.