The Darkness We Hide

Richard fumed and cursed as he rampaged through the back alleys. Someone had interfered with his attempt to grab Michelle, and come running to her aid before he could get her to his car.

Damn, damn, damn!!!!

He’d been so intent on making sure he didn’t really hurt her, just knock her down and stun her, that he hadn’t bothered to make sure no one saw him do it.

All he needed was five minutes, then he and Michelle would be on their way to his little hide-away. Instead he was in this shit-hole building, in this shit-hole town, with that shit-hole good Samaritans screwing up his plans.

When the call of alarm went up and people started running to help Michelle, he’d tried to move faster, but she'd had pepper sprayed his face, and the old bitty had bludgeoned him with her stupid cane.

Richard made himself a promise. The next time he made a grab for Michelle, he wouldn’t miss, and may the Gods help anyone who tried to get in his way.

Shifting back to his human form, Richard wiped at his still stinging eyes.

“DAMMIT!” he roared, the sound echoing throughout the empty building. “Stupid interfering busy bodies!”

Making his way back to his unmarked car from its hiding place, he returned to Michelle’s street parking in a poorly lit lot across the street from her building. He waited to see if the police had been called.

Hearing the code for an animal attack over his department radio at her address, Richard slammed his hand down repeatedly on his steering wheel.

"Fuck," he fumed, watching as several patrol cars pulled up along the block, taking up strategic positions as several officers gathered around the main entrance to Michelle's building.

A few minutes later he watched as Mr. Crabtree, the meddling old man who’d reported him for attaching Michelle several months ago, and another tenant of the apartment building exit and begin speaking with the officer in charge.

Seeing the old mans arms gesturing to the alley apparently explaining what he and his wife had witnessed, nodding and shaking his head in reply to what seemed to be questions the officer was asking, Richard felt his anger increasing.

If this wasn't passed off as an exaggerated story, he knew the department would increase their presence in the surrounding area until the reported animal was caught or killed.

After a brief conversation, the old man led a group of officers towards the alley while the other man seemed to lead the officer in charge into the building, most likely to speak with Michelle.

Richard ground his teeth watching from the shadows hating the old man, his irritating wife and especially Gareth for making this so damned hard for him. He should have dealt with the old couple six months ago when they put their noses in his business the first time, and he should have gutted Gareth after the first night he spent with his woman!