Blood From a Stone

by Cynthia Lucas

  He motioned his finger to his lips for them to lower their voices.

  Willow walked over and grabbed the remote to turn down the volume. At that moment she also realized she was now alone with Samson and wasn’t sure if it was better to stay awake as long as possible talking to him to make sure nothing happened, or to just give in to the tiredness.

  “Well I guess I will go get some blankets for all of us.” She whispered loudly, “Take off your boots! Make yourself comfortable.”

  She hoped he wouldn’t take it as a cue to remove any other articles of clothing. Not just because she didn’t want him to get the wrong idea but just as much because she didn’t want to admit to herself that she was having some not-so-lady-like ideas as she noticed how the muscles in his wide back played against the material of his shirt and how his arms filled the sleeves completely. She didn’t want to allow herself to imagine what he looked like out of the shirt and yet the image would not stop popping into her mind of its own free will.

  Was this guy for real? Men that look like this did not exist….at least not outside of magazines, and certainly not around here. She felt a flush creeping up her neck again as she struggled to contain her wayward thoughts…and the accompanying undercurrent of anxiety from having a total stranger sleeping there at her house.

  He sensed her discomfort and felt the need to reassure her. Despite his earlier fantasies of bedding her and her friend, after getting to know her, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt.

  Guilty? Christ. What was wrong with him? Since

  when had he given a shit? Ah, well. Loathe to admit it as he was, he had in fact softened up over the decades and learned a few lessons about manners and other people’s feelings in the short times he was allowed to live as a man. After all, his lack thereof was what had gotten him into his mess in the first place. And although he wasn’t getting out of it, he’d still had his moments of ‘weakness’ when he acted gentlemanly. Or took in stray dogs.

  He stopped her before she headed down the hallway to get blankets from the linen closet.

  “Willow, look I just want to say thank you for letting me stay. I know this is a weird circumstance, and I know you are probably a little worried having a stranger in your house, but I can assure you, I am completely safe. And of course there’s the dog. You’ve been too generous and I don‘t know what to say except thank you.”

  She smiled at the sincerity of his words.

  “And…I’d also like to add that I hope you don’t have a boyfriend or fiance who might be waiting around to kick my ass.” He laughed lightly, but also had to wonder how someone as pretty, confident and seemingly self-sufficient as she was could not have a boyfriend or at least plenty of prospects.

  “It’s really okay. It’s the least I can do…and no. I

  don‘t have anyone. I’m single…no worries.”

  She went to the closet and returned with three warm blankets in hand. She handed him one and said, “Which chair do you want? I think the one on that side is more comfortable so you take it.”

  He protested but she wouldn’t listen as she darted quickly past him and leapt into the oversized chaise chair on her right, blanket in hand, grabbing the remote and flipping the channel to an old sit-com.

  “If you need anything you know where the kitchen is and the bathroom is right down the hall at the end. Light switch is on the right when you walk in the door. I actually think I have an extra unopened toothbrush in the cabinet under the sink too.”

  The dog bounded into the oversized chair with her and nestled himself warmly at her feet on the ottoman. Minutes later, wrapped in the warmth of her blanket, both she and the tired animal were fast asleep.

  Samson watched as she drifted off and settled himself in for several hours of television until morning. It would be a great way to bone up on today’s culture and try to learn a few more things that would come in handy.

  He slipped out of his chair and over to hers to get the remote gadget and figure out how to use it. He stopped for a moment as he looked down at her there sleeping in the chair, her hair all tousled and her eyelashes fanned out on her cheeks.

  She really was so beautiful…and kind…smart. Funny too. He wanted to reach down and taste her full lips. To move the big, furry sentinel at the foot of the chair and climb under the blanket with her, and savor every inch of her delicious body next to the hard muscled strength of his own. He reached out and touched the pad of his finger to her bottom lip. He bet she tasted so soft and sweet that she’d melt in his mouth. He could almost feel her arms around his neck…no make that her legs around his neck right now. But then again he also knew without question that she would slap the living shit out of him if he tried anything like that. The thought made him smile.

  He forced himself to grab the remote and get the hell back to his own chair where he belonged. After a little trial and error, he figured out how to use it and was soon flipping channels like a pro. Just like everything else he’d had to quickly learn in each new Awakening…the language of the day, the slang, the new inventions, lifestyle. It was a challenge, but it kept his mind sharp as a razor.

  His mind. Right about now, he was finding it difficult to keep it off of Willow and on the commercials, shows and other programs he needed to educate himself, but after a while he forced himself through sheer will to pay enough attention to learn at least something from several different infomercials advertising various products and services.

  Glancing down at her every so often, he could not help but remember how it felt to be lost in the sweet land of dreams that were denied to him….and yet an everyday occurrence to her.

  So close and yet so far away. Just like her. He envied her slumber and he burned with desire to hold her too.

  A few hours later, pink fingers of light finally began to etch their way across the sky as dawn arrived and Samson knew the time had come for him to escape before she could wake up and ask him too many questions about himself. Questions that he wasn’t able to answer.

  He sat down, face in hands and dragged the length of his long hair back from his face before grudgingly grabbing his boots and slipping them on. He stood up and gently laid the blanket she’d given him over her. God how he wished he would be able to see her again, but he realized it would be too hard with this one to not give a damn.

  He leaned down and pressed his lips softly to her cheek, resisting the urge to taste her lips. It was better this way.

  It was time to go. Now. He reached out and patted the dog’s soft fur.

  “You take care of her buddy,” he whispered. “She will take care of you too. Don’t worry.”

  But he wasn’t exactly sure of that either. He could only imagine the scenario that would ensue if the dog turned into some kind of gargoyle mutt from tasting his blood! Hopefully, that wasn’t in the cards.

  She barely stirred as he pulled back from her and forced himself to the door, looking back one last time as he grabbed his coat and silently headed out into the freezing cold morning air.

  C HAPTER SIX

  Willow opened her eyes.

  Sunlight peeped through the blinds and as she scanned the room she realized that Samson was nowhere to be seen. The blanket she’d given him was tucked around her and she knew he must’ve gotten up and slipped out sometime between the time she’d dozed off and daylight. Sasha was still peacefully asleep on the couch. And there at her feet was the dog. He’d left the dog! He stirred next to her and wagged his tail lightly as she reached down and patted his head.

  Well, she figured she would walk him and feed him for now and hope that Samson returned for him later.

  She sat up and shivered as she slipped from beneath the double layer of blankets and stretched, looking around the room for some sign that she might be wrong and he’d still be there. There was none…and she couldn’t help but notice the disappointment she felt. Did you really expect anything any different?, she thought to herself.

  She sighed remembering her last re
lationship. The way her boyfriend had been so kind as to dump her via a text message.

  His name was Mike, and he was an x-ray tech working through an agency at the hospital. They’d met and hit it off immediately. Romantic dinners, long walks, movies, a common interest in the healthcare industry. The sex was great and everything seemed perfect. They’d spent months getting to know each other and she was certain he was ‘the one’ after they moved in to an apartment together.

  But then, without warning he announced that he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship and decided to break things off and to ad insult to injury, he’d texted his announcement. Didn’t even have enough balls to come home and talk about it or tell her that he was unhappy and try to work it out! Just a few short words on the cell phone and he was out of her life in a flash. No danger signs. No warning…just came home, packed up and moved out the next day.

  She’d seen him a few times walking the halls at the hospital before his contract ended and wanted to talk to him, but it just wasn’t the right time or place, and whenever she tried to approach him to see if they could at least arrange a meeting so they could talk while not at work, he would make a quick excuse to exit fast. It didn’t help seeing him with the little blonde nurse he’d been hanging out with in the cafeteria, who as wearing a large diamond on her left hand within days of their breakup either. It became very clear that he’d been seeing her for some time…how else would she be sporting that rock so soon?

  Willow had been devastated, but she figured it was better that she found out then instead of possibly marrying the guy. But it certainly had been no assistance in buoying her trust in the male of the species. That was for sure.

  As for Samson…well, he was a guy she’d met in a bar. And probably just like Mike, so what did she expect? They always seemed so nice or so gentlemanly, or so good- looking she’d be willing to put up with a little slop here and there thinking he’s worth it. But then the reality sets in and it’s goodbye glass slippers and hello dirty old sneakers…complete with dog crap stuck to the soles! Men. She’d definitely had enough of their shit to last a lifetime.

  Yep. He probably was just like Mike. He hadn’t even said goodbye! Invite him in…try to show a little hospitality and what thanks did she get? None. Granted it was just one night spent getting to know each other a little and nothing more. Well….maybe it was a little more than that, at least on her end. She couldn’t help the immediate attraction, but she didn’t want to admit it, even to herself.

  Ah, well. Maybe it was better and less awkward? Or in fairness, maybe he had to go work despite the road conditions and it was too far to walk the dog with no leash. At any rate, he did have her number so he could call her if he cared or wanted to bother.

  She got up and stopped in the hall bathroom to shut off the light he’d left on, and discovered that a tube of her lipstick had been taken from the drawer and was lying on the counter. The words, “Thank you for everything. Coffee? I’ll call.” were scrawled on the mirror.

  She smiled to herself. So, he wasn’t rude after all. But then again, don’t they all say, “I’ll call you,” and then never do? Time would tell, she supposed. And even if he didn’t call, it wasn’t a big deal. Her life was busy and she had plenty to do without worrying about some guy she’d met in a club. But there was still the issue of the dog. It wasn’t hers. For that matter it wasn’t his either til last night. But he wasn’t planning to just leave him there. Was he?

  She headed out back out to her own master bath, brushed her teeth and splashed cool water on her face and after drying off, grabbed some glass cleaner and paper towels from under the sink and headed back to the hall bath to wipe the lipstick from the mirror. She stopped abruptly, realizing that she liked having his message there…his handwriting. A sort of memento.

  She cringed in horror. Oh, God. She was acting like some stalker chick from a movie! She quickly erased his message just as Sasha appeared in the doorway of the bathroom.

  “Love note?” She smirked, pushing her way past Willow to the sink.

  “He just left a nice ‘thank you’ and said he’d call,” she said matter-of-factly.

  Sasha raised her eyebrows. “Uh huh. That’s what they all say. At least you didn’t sleep with him.” She paused. “Did you? I was snoring before the movie even got started.” She ducked, laughing playfully as Willow slapped the back of her head.

  “Stop it! I know you didn’t. Now get out…I have to pee.” Sasha laughed again as she pushed Willow out the door and slammed it.

  Willow walked to the kitchen to put on a fresh pot of coffee. She pulled back the blinds and peered out at the snow- covered streets, which were buried under at least a foot and a half of snow.

  She wondered how Samson had gotten home or wherever he’d gone. She shrugged and pulled her sweater tighter around her. Oh, well. It wasn’t her problem she supposed, although she couldn’t help but wonder and maybe worry a little. She barely knew him, but he had gone out of his way for them, seen them safely home and stayed there at her house. And who couldn’t fall for his smile…those blue eyes…his smart ass sense of humor. She had to admit there was something about him that made her hold on to a small hope that he would indeed call her for that cup of coffee.

  But for now she had to worry about going to get to her car. The city workers would be out soon, and hopefully by mid-afternoon they’d have the streets cleared enough so she could catch a taxi back to Velvet to pick it up and then head to work.

  She felt warm breath on her knee and looked down to see Fido or whatever his name was, wagging his tail and acting like he needed to go out. She opened the back door and he romped out into the snow-covered yard and happily did his business and came back in a few minutes later. He certainly didn’t act like a complete stray. He must’ve been someone’s pet at one time and either got abandoned or lost. The thought made her sad, but at least he was here now, warm and fed.

  Sasha emerged from the bathroom.

  “There’s a good foot and a half of snow out there. You know that right? There’s no way he caught a cab.”

  Willow shrugged.

  “I dunno. I guess he must’ve walked.”

  “Damn girl. What did you do to him to make him want to escape that bad?” Sasha laughed.

  Willow shot her a glare.

  “I will have you know I did not do anything to him, except give him a blanket and fall asleep!”

  “Ah, well. Maybe that’s why he took off.” Sasha took a gulp of her coffee and raised her eyebrows.

  “Ha. Ha. You are a real comedian this morning, aren’t you,” Willow said dryly.

  But then again, maybe Sasha was right and he wasn’t interested in her any further. Either way she needed to get her mind off it. She swallowed down the last sips of her coffee and headed down the hall to the warmth of the shower.

  Warmth. He could almost feel the warmth of the blanket she‘d loaned him for the night right now. It had smelled faintly of her perfume.

  Samson walked through the morning chill, his breath billowing out in huge steamy clouds as he plodded back toward downtown.

  He barely felt the freezing air as he walked, because although his body plodded along the snow covered road, his mind was still back at 1201 Winston Terrace with Willow. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the scrap of paper that carried her phone number and debated whether he should simply do the right thing…the easy thing, and tear it to pieces and throw it down to disintegrate in the snow. He hesitated. Would it be so wrong to give her a call? He knew the answer. It was very wrong. It wasn’t moral. It wasn’t ethical. But then, since when had he ever been moral or ethical? He folded the paper and put it back into his pocket.

  He smiled at the thought of the earful he’d get for deciding to adopt the dog to her if he did call. But he was no candidate for permanent ownership for the animal. Willow was kind hearted and would give him a loving home. The dog was as sweet as they come…or at least it had been after it bit him. And that he still c
ouldn’t explain anymore than he could figure out the strange sensation he’d felt as those razor sharp teeth sunk into his flesh and drew blood.

  And of course, he couldn’t help but continue to wonder what would happen if the dog did really end up a block of stone, like he was, but it was too late to worry about that now. He would have to just keep a distant eye on the animal for the next few weeks…or as long as he was able to until the next time he changed, and see if it exhibited any signs or symptoms of turning into some kind of ‘dog-goyle‘. Then he supposed he’d have to grab it and haul it to his perch so it could sit out the next fifty years at his side. The idea of that scenario certainly gave the term ‘man’s best friend’ a whole new meaning. He walked along toward his destination watching as a large truck with a snowplow passed him.

  It was not going to be fun digging up more money, savings bonds and belongings in this mess. It was downright shitty, to be exact. But then again, wasn’t that the whole point of his curse…his life?

  He rounded the corner and headed up the street towards Chico’s where he’d eaten last night. Maybe they were open and he could grab some breakfast before confronting any other tasks at hand. Their “Open 24 Hours” sign was still on and flashing, despite the night’s foul weather, so he was in luck.

  He was after all, going to have to lay low until after dusk before heading back to the graveyard. Today’s newspaper hadn’t been delivered yet, but he stopped at the corner machine hoping a copy of yesterday’s edition might still be in there. It was, and he deposited some coins and pulled free a copy of the day-old news to check the classifieds for a room or a small apartment close by that he could rent or maybe a nice hotel where he could stay. Although he never slept, he still would need a place to shower, change clothes and hang out. Then in a few weeks, when he felt the chills and the slowing down of his mind and body starting, he would either pay his bill and check out or leave his temporary residence and just disappear leaving no trace of where he‘d gone or what had become of him.