Strange beast

Raven shut the door behind her and slowly slid down to the ground. She drew her legs slowly towards her, wrapped her hands around her knees, rested her head on her raised knees and allowed the trembling to begin.

She had tried her best to hold in her fear in front of Drake, acting like she wasn't shaken from what happened. But she was. Her heart slammed against her ribcage as she remembered the sound of the gunshot. She shut her eyes tightly as the recalled Drake pulling the bullet out, like it was nothing.

She remembered his blood red eyes. And it terrified her like hell.

She shuddered and tightened her arms around her body, rocking forward slightly. For a very long time, she remained there on the ground, trying to calm her racing heart.

Hours later, Raven finally stirred as her cell phone rang out. She raised her head slowly, her eyes slightly closed and sleepy, and reached for the phone that was a few paces away from her.

"Hello...",she said softly.

"Raven",Drake's deep voice sounded from the other end.

She sat up instantly and wiped her eyes, sniffing slightly.

"Drake...",she replied softly.

"Are you crying? Did someone hurt you?", Drake's deep voice asked, and Raven could hear the anger and concern in his voice.

"I'm okay. Just a bit shaken",Raven replied honestly.

She was more than a bit shaken and Drake knew as well, but he chose to say nothing.

"Good. Don't go back to the office today",he told her.

Raven frowned. What did he mean? What was happening?

"But..."

"Just do as I say. Please",Drake cut her short and Raven could hear the urgency in his voice. "Stay indoors all through. Someone targeted you for a reason"

"But my car...",Raven protested.

"For Christ sake woman",Drake hissed out in anger. Here he was, trying to make sure Raven was safe and she was worried about her car?

"You can't expect me to just go into hiding Drake",Raven said in a shaky voice. Her hands shook slightly as she pushed herself up from the ground.

"I need you to understand me Raven",Drake interrupted her. "Someone targeted you for a reason, and until I find out the reason, I want you to stay safe"

Raven felt a warm feeling in her chest. Why was Drake so concerned for her safety?

"Why are you so worried about my safety?",she asked.

There was silence on the other end and she could only hear Drake's slow breathing. She needed to know why he was suddenly so concerned. It was only a few days ago he became new CEO of the loan firm. Apart from the obvious chemistry and spark of desire between them, there was nothing more. Why then was he acting so protective towards her? Raven found it strange and she was going to get to the bottom of it.

"Just stay safe Raven",Drake said finally, bypassing her initial question. "Don't go out"

Raven was about to speak when the call was disconnected. She dropped the phone on the couch and ran a hand through her hair tiredly. Even if Drake hadn't told her to remain inside, there was no way she would have ventured outside alone after what occured that day. Maybe it was time she took that break to her grandmother's home.

She made her way to her room and stripped. A warm bath would calm her jittery nerves and probably make her feel better.

...

Caroline Wallace sat fuming inside the limo as she headed home. It was dusk already and a full moon peeked from behind the clouds. As the driver stepped on the accelerator, the trees moved past in blurry figures and she just couldn't wait to get home.

She couldn't stop recalling how embarrassed she had been when Drake ordered her to leave;all for that bitch in his office. Drake was hers alone, and she wouldn't let some whore take him away. Eleanor has been foolish enough to lose a big catch like Drake. But not her. She would make sure Drake gets wrapped around her perfectly manicured fingers.

She rested her head on the chair, staring outside as the limo sped towards her home. The day had been unproductive, after failing to sign the contract with Drake.

Suddenly the driver pressed down on the break, bringing the car to a halt. Caroline jerked forward and almost flew off the seat. She glared up at the driver as she managed to sit back and pushed her hair from her eyes.

"Alby what the hell",she cursed at the driver, wanting an explanation for the sudden break. Seeing the driver staring ahead of him wide-eyed, she looked into the dark night, peering into the dark trees ahead. A shocked gasp followed by a shriek escaped her as she took in the strange figure standing in the middle of the road, in front of the car.

The figure was hunched over in the middle of the road. With the help of the bright headlights, Caroline could clearly see the figure, and her eyes widened fearfully. It was like nothing she had ever seen.

It had the body of a man, but it definitely wasn't a man. This was a beast, crouching on thick muscular legs. The upper body was shirtless, filled with a mass of brown fur, covering every inch of the upper body. Muscular arms fisted at its side, with wicked looking claws. It had the face of a beast, long pointed ears and sharp canines that dripped with saliva. Its eyes were glowing yellow pools, and it was staring at the two figure inside the car.

Caroline gulped nervously, scared to death as the creature kept staring at them, immobile.

"Alby",she whispered.

"Yes mistress?",the driver who had gone frozen with fear answered quietly, with his lips hardly moving.

"We have to get out of here. Now!",Caroline whispered. Her heart slammed against her chest when the beast suddenly raised its body to its full height, towering over the black limo.

"NOW ALBY!",Caroline screamed out and at the same time, the beast roared at them, sending terror into the spines of the humans inside the car. It charged at them suddenly and Alby went into action. He twisted the gear violently, pressed down on the accelerator and the limo jerked backwards.

Caroline screamed as the beast lunged and landed on the roof of the limo, pounding on it. The limo kept moving backwards until it crashed against a tree trunk. The engine died down and the head lights went off and all was quiet for a moment.

Caroline whimpered softly, holding her hand tight to her mouth to prevent the slightest sound from emerging. She looked over to Alby who had gone totally still, eyes moving round in search for the strange beast. The beast seemed to have disappeared.

But not for long.

The top of the limo suddenly caved in as the beast plunged its sharp claws into it and ripped out part of the roof. Caroline screamed out and tried to move out of the limo, but the doors didn't budge. She shrieked as the beast took hold of the driver and pulled him out of the limo. Alby let out a shout and his voice seized suddenly as the beast ended him, pushing its claws into his chest and ripping out his heart.

Caroline cried out as the beast tore out the roof of the limo and grabbed her. And her screams could be heard for miles as the beast finished her off.

...

Raven stepped out of the bathroom and headed to her room, wrapped in a plush pink towel. She looked exhausted and all she wanted to do was to curl herself in bed and sleep. She hadn't heard anything from Drake so she assumed he was still looking into what occured that day.

Stifling a wide yawn, she tugged on a large t-shirt and pulled the covers over her, falling asleep instantly.

And she failed to notice the door knob of the living room turn slowly and open as someone stepped into the house.