Chapter 13: S1 Hidden: Growing Arousal

Aden Clarkson

The coppery scent of blood fills his nose. But there's something else, something sweet mixed in with the metallic, earthy smell. It's the same alluring fragrance he had picked up on in the park earlier. It's Sophia. The enthralling aroma radiates from her body. She smells human, but not entirely, so what the hell is she?

Aden sets Sophia on the counter next to the register. Fishing his phone out of his pocket, he uses it as a flashlight to examine her arms and legs. He pulls a cloth bag off a sales rack and wraps it around her blood-covered left hand and wrist. Examining her legs, he comes to a stop at the base of her left ankle. It's puffy.

Footsteps drum on the hardwood floor. And the familiar scent of his friend wafts in the air. Sophia's body tenses, and she draws in a sharp breath.