Aphrodite

Rachel bolted from the club, plunging into the shadowy alleyway beside it. Her skin was slick with sweat as she navigated through the darkness. With every hurried step, a sense of foreboding grew; the alley was eerily silent except for her own footsteps, which seemed to thunder in her ears. The sound of the club door slamming shut behind her underscored her isolation.

Rachel forced herself to move faster, but the unsettling sensation of being followed crept over her. Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed behind her, gaining ground. Panic surged as she felt an unseen figure drawing closer. Overcome by fear, she whirled around to confront whatever pursued her.

But the alley behind her was empty. The bizarre encounter in the club lingered in her mind, leaving her with the unnerving suspicion that this ordeal wasn’t finished.

She spun around and continued her frantic dash, the desire for the safety of her home propelling her forward towards the desolate streets.

Spotting a streetlight ahead, Rachel made a beeline for it. But as she turned the corner of the brick edifice, a sudden chill wind swept across her neck, sending shivers down her spine and her skin prickling with goosebumps.

Her hands shook as she attempted to steady her nerves, to no avail. A gasp snagged in her throat, halting her breath as she hesitated, then slowly faced the origin of her dread. Two glowing red eyes locked onto hers, rooting her to the spot.

Retreating a single step was the most she could muster, with fear threatening to engulf her completely. “What do you want?” she managed to utter.

For every step she took backward, he advanced, steadily reducing the gap until she found herself cornered, his towering figure blocking her path against the cold, hard brick.

Rooted to the spot, she felt the weight of his gaze, taking in his sharp features, the pallor of his skin, and his formidable physique. Her heart raced, the realisation dawning on her that she stood no chance in a physical confrontation. She was at his mercy.

He cocked his head, eyes shimmering with a hunter’s interest as he observed her. “What are you?” he demanded, voice deep and threatening.

Desperate for rescue, she darted a hopeful glance towards the street, silently pleading for someone, anyone, to appear.

“What am I? More importantly, what are you?” she countered, fear quivering through her voice.

Mustering a burst of determination, she attempted to push off the wall, only to find her efforts thwarted by her captor. He did not touch her, but he would not move.

A smirk spread across his face, and he leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint. “I asked first.”

“I’m...I’m not comfortable with this. Just back off,” she stammered.

His presence held a hypnotic pull, weakening her resolve bit by bit. With his hands planted on the wall beside her head, he leaned in close to her neck, his breath stirring shivers down her spine. Prepared for the worst, she was taken aback when he suddenly pulled back, his intense focus still on her. Puzzled by his abrupt shift, she knew she had to act swiftly to ensure her survival.

“What is your name?” he asked.

“Rachel,” she replied, her mind racing to devise a quick escape strategy.

“You’re an intriguing creature,” he remarked, drawing in a deep breath, seemingly savouring her scent. “But I’m not one for games, and it’s time for you to release me.”

“What?” she managed, confusion lacing her voice.

He tilted his head, a hint of curiosity in his demeanour. “Perhaps your friend orchestrated this? Regardless, I believe it’s time for the games to end, and for you to let me go.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. You’re the creep that bought me that terrible drink and followed me. You’re the one that needs to back off!”

He drew his face nearer, his breath warm against her skin. “Are you simply unaware, or is it innocence? I don’t indulge in games with other beings. Whatever you are, I demand you undo this thing and depart.”

His voice carried an urgency that couldn’t be ignored, making it clear he wasn’t someone to mess with. She didn’t fully grasp what he meant by “undo this thing,” but it was obvious that agreeing with him was her best shot at getting out of this situation safely.

He stepped back, but not far enough to give her a real chance to escape. His body was taut, muscles defined and coiled ready, an aura of energy pulsating around him. She tensed, anticipating a sudden move, but, unexpectedly, he restrained himself. It appeared as though some invisible barrier or force was preventing him from advancing further, keeping him at bay.

Confusion and fear welled up inside her. “I don’t understand,” she whispered, a single tear escaping down her cheek under the weight of the moment’s gravity. “Is this just some twisted game? I’m human.”

“You do not know.” He laughed—a foreboding sound echoing into the night. “You have done this.”

The silence was broken by a sudden shift. Darkness enveloped him, a blackness so dense it felt alive. Her heart raced as she witnessed the spectacle. Abruptly, purple light erupted, encircling her in a mesmerising glow. She stepped back, the light caressing her like a sentient force. Unsure of what was happening, she knew she had to keep her wits about her.

She glanced back at him, her heart pounding with fear. “What’s going on? This can’t be real. You did something to that drink, didn’t you?”

“Oh, I will admit I did have something put into your drink. An elixir to force your creature into the open and reveal what you are. Your light is purple, and I cannot say I am familiar with what exactly you are. That light represents you—your essence, your strength, your connection. And you, miss, have intruded upon mine. You must break the bond.”

“I don’t understand. I haven’t done anything to cause this!”

“Child, you must figure out how to sever this bond, or I will be forced to take drastic measures to ensure you do,” he warned, his tone brooking no argument.

Aware that she was confronting a formidable and menacing entity, she attempted to fortify her resolve. The bright red in his eyes caught hers, pulling her into a kind of trance she couldn’t escape from.

“I have no clue how to do it!” she cried out, tears streaming, “I don’t understand what’s happening!”

“In that case, I must show you what I truly am. Hopefully that will convince you to do what is right.” His voice was calm as two sharp fangs emerged from his gums. Yet, as he reached out towards her, the sound of the exit door shutting redirected his attention. A young woman was walking their way, her curly brown hair bouncing with every step she made.

“Is everything ok out here?” the woman asked, eyeing the man with a sharp look.

Rachel was at a loss for words. How could she explain a situation she barely grasped herself?

“Time is up,” he declared. “And Rachel, every time you come back with pointless excuses, I’ll give you another glimpse of my true self.”

“I don’t understand what these lights are or this connection! Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it!”

“Break the connection, Rachel. This will all stop the moment you break it.”

He made another swipe at Rachel, but an invisible force halted him, his hand recoiling as if burned. Rachel flinched back just in time. Swearing under his breath, he turned his aggression towards the woman, baring his fangs and pressing them against her neck. The woman’s screams filled the air as she struggled against him. Rachel’s heart raced, terror gripping her as she watched, frozen, unable to tear her gaze away from the unfolding nightmare.

“Please don’t,” Rachel begged.

“Free me from this bond, and I’ll let you both go,” he negotiated, his tone cold.

“I’ve already told you, I’m just a human. This is insane,” she protested, shaking her head in disbelief.

“This will not be our last encounter until you break this connection. I suggest you find someone who can teach you to grow the fuck up and end this.”

He then forced the woman to meet his gaze, and as she did, dark tendrils crept towards her, snaking up her arm and merging with her flesh. She turned around, her expression one of confusion and disorientation.

Approaching Rachel, the woman asked in a daze, “Can you help me find a taxi?”

Stunned, Rachel turned to him. “What have you done to her?”

“Perhaps you’re pretending not to know, or maybe someone’s been foolish enough to hide this world from you. But believe me, you’re are far from human. You should take this chance to leave. This will not be our last encounter, Rachel,” he warned her with a cold finality.

Gripping the woman’s arm, Rachel hastily guided them towards the street, her legs nearly giving out from under her. Her immediate goal was to locate Beth and escape this nightmare, putting as much distance between them and this terrifying man as possible.