Chapter 1: Loki

Astoria's Point of View

I took a deep breath, getting the pepper spray from my backpack. Then, I took my key and got out of my car. Instantly, I was embraced in the chilly summer wind. My hair danced with its whistle, causing hair from the back of my neck to stand. As I pressed the lock button of my car key, I caught movement from the corner of my eyes. It came from my right side, a few feet away behind my car. 

Whatever it had, it had red eyes. It was bright and glowing through pitch-black darkness. 

I'm going to die tonight, aren't I?

Gulping, I held my pepper spray tighter and quietly marched towards the three-story apartment building. I was expecting something to grab me as I passed by the small alley between my apartment and the next one, but I survived. For now. Still, I kept my defenses up as I climbed the stairs up to the third floor. I looked at my room at the end of the hallway. Almost there. 

My footsteps caused the wooden floors to squeak, sounding like a roar through the silence. And as soon as that happened, another set of footsteps rang behind me, followed by something hissing. Then, something latched onto my right ankle. 

I screamed and stumbled, and my back hit a wall in the narrow hallway. I shook my leg to get rid of whatever was on me while my eyes were shut tight. 

Holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit. 

"Astoria!" 

I screamed again as a hand fell on my shoulder. Forcing my eyes open, I see a man with dark brown curly hair and dark blue eyes staring back at me, struggling to suppress a grin. Not far from him, I see a white feline creature, baring her sharp teeth at me as usual, while glaring at me with her amber eyes. 

"Orion!" I pushed his hand off me, loudly sighing in relief. "What the fuck dude I thought you were a demon that's about to eat me." 

My next-door neighbor put his hands on his hips, looking very amused. "What kind of desperate demon would put themselves in so much harm to go after you?" He snickered, before pointing down to my ankle. "Well, I guess there's one." 

I brought my gaze down to find the creature that decided to attack me -- or my leg. The first thing that I've noticed is the red eye. It wasn't glowing like the pair I saw not too long ago though. One dark red eye, and the eye on the right is violet colored. The right eye blinked, or winked, I should say, as the creature wrapped itself around my leg. The black furred thing purred and decided to sit on my sneakers. 

"Hello, demon." 

Orion pouted. "He's been trying to scratch me all afternoon, trying to run away. He sees you for one second and suddenly he's melting into your feet." I picked up the black cat and held it like a baby in my arms, then I gave it a slight scratch behind the ears. The creature purred even louder, nuzzling his face against my chest. "His name is Loki."

The cat hissed at the name before returning to rubbing his face against my shirt. 

"Loki? Like - " I laughed. "Like Loki, Trickster God of Mischief?" Orion gave a nod, crossing his muscular arms. "So you have another cat? That one isn't enough?" I glanced at the white kitten standing by Orion's opened door. Hermione, the ferocious thing, has never been fond of me ever since Orion had asked me to babysit her for a weekend. I was an excellent cat taker. "This is the important thing you had to do today? Why you missed work?" Orion, father of cats, smiled sheepishly, not even denying it. "Loki and Hermione, huh? Who's next? Melisandre?" 

"Whatever." Orion murmured, taking Loki from my arms. The black cat hissed and brought out his murder weapons, his sharp nails, and tried to scratch his owner's face. Orion moved his face away, grunting. "At least this one likes you." 

"Can't blame him." I joked, flipping my long hair over my shoulder. "Anyway, thanks for the jumps scare. Be glad I didn't pepper spray you by accident." On that note, if someone else had grabbed me, I would have failed to pepper spray them and they'd be able to kill me. I guess having a weapon doesn't mean shit unless you actually know how to wield it. "It's late. I'm so tired that I think I'm seeing things." I did just watch a horror movie this weekend. Maybe my mind is just reminding me of it because the human brain is weird. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Orion nodded and began walking back to his own apartment. "Yeah, goodnight. See you tomorrow." After a wave of hand, I headed to my apartment. As I entered, I was reminded that I had forgotten to close my balcony door. Again. The wind had made its way into my room, scattering light objects all over the place. There goes my bills and fast food coupons. 

"Damn it." 

I stomped over to the balcony and slid the door closed. However, while doing so, I felt that creepy feeling again. It isn't just paranoia. From work to my own house, I sensed it. Something is following me.