5 The Strange Man

WARNING: VIOLENCE. 

He stood still and watched as the metal scraps fell from the sky. Her fear could be smelled even from where he stood. It was as heavy as the smoke that circulated in the air. He can hear how her heart pounded,how her breathing faltered and how her spirit withered.

The strange man already noticed Ashley's presence from the very beginning. He wasn't afraid that she saw what he did. No.. In fact, he was more than happy that she arrived. A tool that can be exploited. She was the perfect piece for the puzzle. She was the perfect scapegoat.

It would be hard to explain a car crashing all by itself, wouldn't it? To do the perfect scene, the accident needed two cars. It was a dumb excuse if he made it appear like it crashed into tree.

Why wouldn't he just make them all die for this reason?' Two cars exploded from a strong collision. No survivors alive.'It was perfect! He knew the police would buy that. He heard it everywhere. It was already common in this place.

Besides, he didn't want to leave any traces behind. He already knew that 'she' was tailing him. All his efforts would all be for naught and he wouldn't enjoy 'this' anymore.

He realized that he was wasting too much time. He was already giving her privilege for letting her stay alive, even for seconds.  He turned his body to face the poor girl. She would be dead soon. It was better to not prolong the agony.

Ashley was still lying down from the ground. Her back grew numb from and her body weakened from blood loss. It was horrifying. She noticed that the stranger was already coming to get her. He was literally staring at her with hostility.

The smell of bloodlust wafted in the air.

"Oh?... What is this? Offering yourself as a tasty treat before death?" he said and laughed sarcastically. He suddenly growled like a wild animal.

He lowered his head and removed the hood that covered his head. It was too dark so she couldn't see his face earlier but now... It was gruesome.

His face was deeply scarred. It covered his entire face up to the half of his neck. Eyes were dark red. He didn't have scleras... His fangs were so long it curved to the ends. He looked like a mammoth. His long cobalt hair cascaded down his face. He was pale and had black feathers around half of his neck that wasn't scarred.

It—He was hideous...

What in the world... was he? 

Ashley thought that she entered a nightmare. It was the ugliest and most horrifying face one could have and he even gave out a twisted smile. She wanted to faint from fright. It was disgusting... 

Seeing the fear and disgust evident in her eyes, he shouted at her, making her flinch and tremble.

"Don't look at me like that.. I just recently woke up from...Nevermind" he laughed as if he was lost in insanity. 

"This appearance.. I'll go back to who I used to be... It's your honor to see me like this... Though you're just a 'human'. " he said, emphasizing the last word. He mumbled strange words that could only be heard by him. 

Ashley didn't know what he was saying nor did she care. She was only thinking of one thing and that is to get out of this place. Or else.. 

He faced the ground and released a strange sound. One that came from a beast. It was deafening. Her ears exploded as she listened to it.

He raised his lowered head and walked briskly towards her shaking body. He picked up her limp body and raised it near his mouth.  He opened his wide jaw and his teeth got longer. It appeared sharper. He looked like he was about to devour her. 

Ashley tightly closed her eyes. She clutched her hands to the sides. She was afraid to see this creature eat her alive. She felt how his long fangs were sinking into her abdomen. 

He was deliberately doing it slowly. It was extremely agonizing for her. She released a shriek when it pierced through her skin. It wasn't deep but it was enough to almost puncture her organs. 

"AAAHHHHHH!" 

She struggled but he held on her tightly. He removed his teeth from her skin. She didn't know if she'd feel relief or be scared even more. 

"I would've killed you easily but... You look so pathetic...I realized that I should torture you... slowly." he said. This time the voice that came from him was like from a demon's. 

She gulped audibly and looked at him with a horrified expression. Tears streamed down her face. She couldn't take the fright anymore. She wanted to beg for her life. 

What did she ever do? Why was she caught up in this mess? Was she gonna die? Was this her gruesome fate? 

She bravely opened her mouth. Out of came a shaky voice,

 "Please... Don't hurt me..." she choked a sob at the end. "D-Don't kill me."

The man turned quiet. He stared at her blankly, appearing like he was thinking about what she said. Hope rose up in her heart. Maybe, he'll let her go? 

She may sound stupid, but that was her paranoia speaking. She just comforted herself because she was so afraid to die like this. 

"No..." he said, bringing down her straight to hell. 

"No more chit-chat ... 'She's' near." he said with a forlorn expression. He opened his jaws once again and pulled her instantly to his mouth. 

"No!.." She screamed. 

As if everything was in slow motion, Ashley suddenly felt herself up in the air. She was released from his grip and was thrown high up. She didn't have time to brace herself from the impact. She coughed blood when she fell to the road. A stone hit the wound in her abdomen. She bit her lips in pain. 

She didn't have time to complain. She wanted to know how she was saved. 

"You're here..." the man said with spite.

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