Hunter of the Dark

by Graham, J A

  “…had a bit of an accident. It seems she had been drinking a bit too much, and vomited, choking on it. I'm sorry, there's nothing we could've done.”

  Tanitha screamed then, her hands clenching into fists. Sadie lifted her head and wailed too, causing the policewoman to back off, and look at the dog nervously.

  “I should have been there for her.” Tanitha sobbed.

  “There was nothing you could've done.” Cameron spoke quietly, repeating what the policewoman had said and making her jump. Tanitha hadn’t realised he had come up beside her. Cameron took her into his arms and Tanitha’s whole body shuddered as she was racked with sobs and pain. Cameron glanced at the policewoman and she took her cue and left, returning into the house, leaving the two figures entwined in each other’s arms.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Cameron knocked on the bedroom door of the spare room and entered. Two weeks had passed since Dinah’s demise and he was worried. Tanitha definitely wasn’t herself. Sorsa lay in the corner, but when Cameron entered, the dog rushed at him excitedly. The dogs hadn’t been walked for well over that time, and they were both boisterous. He cleared his throat and eyed Tanitha, who was sitting on the bed with her back to him, looking out the window. Sorsa also sat in front of her, and was gazing out the window with the same vacant expression.

  “Tanitha?” He probed, questioning the still figure.

  “Yes?”

  Her voice was barely a whisper. Cameron knew that she was taking the loss of her mother hard. He gave a sad smile before moving around and enfolding his arms around her from behind. He could feel her body rocking with silent sobs.

  “Are you still going to the ball with me?” He asked softly. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

  Tanitha shook her head and Cameron’s spirits plummeted. If she didn’t want to go, he wouldn’t force her. Suddenly she swiveled around, her face streaked with tears.

  “I’m going. I owe so much to you.”

  Cameron gave a cry of joy and wrapped her into an even tighter hug. She laughed before pulling away. Sorsa danced around the two, barking out his joy at seeing his owner animated once more.

  “I don’t have a dress.” She moaned desolately. Cameron smirked, a weird glint highlighting his dark blue eyes.

  “Never fear, my dear. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Close your eyes.”

  Tanitha did as she was told and Cameron led her out into the hallway by the hand. She heard a door opening and heard the whisper of promises. She felt Cameron’s breath tickle her ear, and her whole body responded with goosebumps.

  “You can open them now.” He said, his voice husky. She opened her eyes and stared in shock. The smooth satin black and red that greeted her eyes was definitely not a make that would have been cheap. She turned to Cameron in disbelief. He was standing with one side of his mouth upturned in a knowing smile and his arms crossed.

  “Go on, try it.”

  She was more than willing to and when she had it on it fitted like a dream. She felt beautiful for the first time in her life. She found a make-up case already in the bathroom and set about doing her hair in a style fit for a princess. Finally she waltzed down the hallway into the living room. Cheyne had joined his brother. He looked at Tanitha approvingly, letting out a low whistle.

  “Wow, Cam. I think she’s too classy for you.”

  Cameron had got changed himself and was looking particularly dashing in his traditional black and white tuxedo. He himself couldn’t believe what he was seeing in front of him. She stepped forwards.

  “Allow me to escort you to the limo.” Cheyne said with an approving smile. Tanitha giggled and took his arm. He led her outside, closely followed by Cameron.

  “Don’t worry about the dogs.” Cheyne winked. “I shall take them out for dinner tonight. They won’t feel lonely.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  They arrived a little late but Tanitha didn’t care. She already felt like she was in a fantasy world, a world where reality was surreal. Nothing could have spoiled the mood she was in. Cameron escorted her into the hall like a perfect gentleman. His hair was brushed smoothly to either side of his handsome face and his sapphire eyes were dazzling with an indistinguishable flame. He was every bit the killing looker. His tall stature made him seem all the more noticeable, and impressive. Now Tanitha could see exactly why girls were drawn to him like a moth to a flame. And Tanitha was proud to be seen with him. She was beginning to develop a certain degree of affection towards him, not as powerful as to Christian but still demanding. She began hoping that nothing would spoil this perfect night.

  But something did taint it. She spotted Christian way before he had spotted her and immediately she felt exhausted. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. She ignored him and tried to lose herself in Cameron’s witty repertoire.

  The crowning of the king and queen was drawing near and Tanitha felt her stomach lurch. She wondered who would take out the titles. She began praying that she might even get princess. Her popularity had risen a bit since she’d been friends with Cameron, and more people than she thought seemed to know her. She was certain she was in the running.

  Finally the music stopped. Cameron and Tanitha stopped dancing to listen carefully. Tanitha felt nervous as the presenters made their little speeches and couldn’t wait for the titles to be called out.

  “Now for the presentations. The prince and princess are…Cameron Reynolds and Tarai Davidson.”

  Tanitha grinned at Cameron. Cameron smiled back but he seemed distracted and Tanitha wasn’t surprised. She had been expecting him to get king. She shrugged, wondering exactly who had taken out the royal positions. Her heart pounded. It couldn’t be her, could it?

  “And the king and queen of the ball is…it was a close one this year, people, I can tell you…Christian Affleck and Tanitha Robinswar!”

  The room exploded into applause and Tanitha’s mouth dropped open. She was ushered up onto the stage to be presented with the crown and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Seeing that she was speechless, the commentator handed the microphone to Christian. Christian seemed half as shocked as she did. Tanitha watched him whilst he was speaking, his words soothing her mind and hypnotizing her. He handed the microphone back to the commentator.

  “Now, as is customary, the king and queen shall have their first dance.”

  Christian moved up to Tanitha, holding out his hand with a shy smile. His blonde hair was smooth this time and his emerald eyes sparkled with talent and charisma, taking Tanitha’s breath away more so than Cameron had.

  “Shall we?” He asked, his voice flooded with emotion. He held out a singular red rose and Tanitha accepted it, placing it into her hair before nodding. She moved into his arms, picking up the slow beat of the song. As soon as she fell into place, she was glad Christian was holding her tightly for she would have fell if he weren’t. Everything went hazy, but Christian remained in sharp focus. Tanitha had the sense that she was floating, that they were the only two in the room. She rested her head on his shoulder with a dreamy sigh. This was right; it felt so good to finally be in his arms. Everything was a blur and nothing was more important than Christian’s romantic embrace, his light step as he twirled her around, his warm breath on her neck. She was aware of their two bodies, pressed together in total harmony. This was perfect.

  The song ended way too quickly, also signifying the end of the ball. Tanitha turned to Cameron.

  “Are you ready to go, gorgeous?” He questioned with what Tanitha knew was a note of jealousy. She nodded giddily.

  “Just one second.”

  She turned around to bid Christian goodbye but it was too late. He was gone.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The night was for killing. During their blissful slumber, more people demised than during the safe ever glow of the warm day. And now it was on the prowl again, plucking off lives like petals on an unfortunate daisy. And something dangerous, something more sinister lurked in the concea
led blanket of darkness. The Canine was on the prowl and woe betide all that meet him on his path of destruction.

  The warm taste of feline lay deep in his senses but still his hunger refused to be fully sated. He whimpered softly, licking the remains of the few puffs of her, remains of a once loved house tabby. He needed to taste the thickness and salty warmth of more humane sources. Felis catus just didn’t have the same savoury flavour.

  A loud snapping made his ears, his entire plebeian head snap around. He realised that it was a heavy oaken door opening and then being carefully closed again, as if the animal responsible didn’t want anyone hearing. He heard. His hearing sharply developed and in tune, more so than the average canine, picked up the small sound like the blast of a shotgun. He heard and he moved fluently, chillingly silent.

  “Kitty?” The Canine didn’t understand the word but heard the timid taint of youth behind the breath shaking. His green eyes focused, closed in and locked on a tiny child.

  “Kitty?” She breathed, her eyes flickering nervously, scared of the dark. The Canine smiled, musing on his stroke of luck. He had come across one of this age before, and had remembered the tenderness of the meat, like veal. This one looked younger as she stumbled out onto the porch. He sneaked into the shadow of a nearby bush, one small step making a barely inaudible noise but audible enough so that the child’s head whipped around, her bright blue eyes widening with fright and her lower lip trembling. He had a clear view of her now. Her tight blonde ringlets framed an innocent face, cherubic with rosy cheeks. She was plainly scared, frightened. Of it. Even though she didn’t know who, or what, it was. This fact was like an adrenaline rush to the Canine. A loud howl burst forth, piercing the night air. Then a thump, as something crashed into the side of the wall. Then the wailing continued. A light went on, and a worried voice met the Canine’s keen hearing. He didn’t have much time left, if he wanted to do what needs to be done.

  He crouched down lower, ready to pounce, when…

  “Saraya, what are you doing out here?” A harsh voice reprimanded. As the porch light flicked on, the Canine crouched lower with a growl bubbling in his throat. The light bathed the once eerie landscape with a protective glow.

  “Kitty gone.”

  There was the tremble of the lip, the water in the eyes. The Canine hated crying. It touched him and he hated to be touched. He much preferred screaming then silent sobbing.

  The guy moved into the light, into view, and the Canine’s growl rose in pitch. He recognised this person. Had he not seen him the night he nearly killed the girl? At the place where pounding music echoed from a lively abode? Yes, he recognised the sight and scent of this teenage boy. He almost smirked then, human intelligence pulsing through his veins. He quickly coveted to his eating spot of before, gripping the left-side pelt that remained of the cat, and slunk to the front door. He crouched low, quivering, playing the part of a scared looking dog, in front of the male and the little girl. He whimpered, attracting their attention. The howling from the upstairs bedroom continued, growing more and more wild, and desperate. The guy looked, eyes horrified, before reaching over to clamp his hand over the naïve little eyes. But he was too late. The scream from the little girl tore into the Canine’s senses, exciting him in unimaginable ways. He almost smirked as the innocence in the girl’s eyes flickered and died. The little tot had seen her first gruesome death of nature versus nature. And with this thought of revenge exacted, the dog grinned toothily, gave them a final goodbye flick of his bushy tail, and melted into the night.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “It was like that dog knew what would destroy Saraya!” Cameron moaned, placing his head in his hands. Tanitha placed an arm around him comfortingly, her mind ringing with the morbid description of the night before. It was true that she thought the dog was more than capable of intelligence. She had seen it in his eyes the night he had pounced on her. And she knew now that that was what had sent Sadie wild. The dog had been uncontrollable, thumping into the side of the wall as if trying to smash her way through, and howling like a banshee. She must have known something was up.

  She sighed; thinking of Cameron’s shaken little sister. Tomorrow she would be bundled off in her parents’ Bluebird. They had blamed Cameron, naturally. Cameron had only wanted to watch his little sister for the weekend, to prove that he was more than capable and to delight in the pleasures of the three-year-old. As it was, Tanitha seemed to be the only comfort to his grief.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if he was what killed the others.” Cameron said with a shudder. Tanitha silently agreed. She had seen the killer herself and she would of thought him an average dog if not for the eyes. It was the piercing emerald that seemed strangely preternatural. She was certain that this dog was in no way normal. She wondered what Christian would say about all this, then brushed it off, but not before the wave of hurt hit her. He hadn’t called since the ball and she was still smarting over his words. She just couldn’t seem to forget about them. But for now she put them out of her mind. The tears would come later. Right now she needed to be strong for Cameron’s sake.

  “Whatever can I do?” He wailed desolately. “Tockata was her life. She had been with Saraya since she was born! Sure, she had to die sooner or later. But not now. Not like this.”

  He buried his face in his arms and Tanitha felt sympathy for him. She pulled him close into a hug, securely, to show that she was there. She knew Cameron wasn’t crying, he was too tough for that. She felt sorrow sweep over her as her clinging reminded her of the time she found Christian in a state far worse than this.

  No, she couldn’t think of that. Not now.

  He sighed and she felt him relax. As he grew more comfortable, she grew tenser. When he straightened up and drew his own arms around her, she stood up suddenly.

  “Sorry…I…uh…just need to go for a walk.”

  Cameron blinked but merely nodded silently. A wise choice, Tanitha thought, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to explain herself. She let herself and the dogs out.

  Once out in the forest, she breathed in deeply. The sun sparkled beautifully on the crystalline raindrops rolling along the emerald leaves. It was pretty here, Tanitha always felt herself swimming through a sea of freedom whenever she was exposed to this, nature in its truest form. She broke into a quick jog, glad for the pine breeze lashing her face with the fresh morning tendrils. The crispness woke her up, vigorating and reenergizing her in a way that always astounded her. Sadie bolted off after a rabbit, but Tanitha made no attempt to stop her. She’d be back; she was probably just restless from being pent up. She closed her eyes, listening to the crackle of her bare feet as they pounded along pine needles tossed onto the well-memorized path. She had a feeling, as if the Canine was running behind her, reveling in the wind racing through its fur and the adrenaline pumping through its veins. But he wasn’t chasing her. He was running with her. Why Tanitha was imagining this, she didn’t know, but she felt a certain kinship towards the Canine and she didn’t want the image to end.

  “Tanitha?”

  The voice cut through her dreaming. The Canine blurred, and then dissipated, along with her fantasy. She turned around in shock, only to trip up, unable to stop as suddenly as she had anticipated. Strong arms caught and held her as she looked up into familiar green eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  Christian helped her to her feet, and only then did she notice he was breathing heavily. She looked around, but Sorsa too had disappeared. He must have followed in the direction of Sadie.

  “Goddamn, Tanitha. How do you run so fast? It’s like the wind was at your feet. It took me a while to catch up, then I realised your eyes were closed!”

  Tanitha felt a strange sense of sadness. So it wasn’t the footsteps of the Canine padding easily beside her, it was the footsteps of Christian. She had thought she had felt the Canine’s presence, but she knew that she was mistaken.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “What are you doing here anyway?” Ta
nitha spoke up, suddenly intrigued by Christian’s equally sudden appearance. Christian shrugged, a slight movement but one which seemed to get the message across. He obviously didn’t want Tanitha to know and, from the look on Christian’s face, she didn’t really want to find out. He looked as if he had had no sleep whatsoever.

  “Can I ask the same of you?” Christian said, looking sideways at her, his eyes slanted so the green looked catlike. She thought that with those eyes, he could see into her mind, know what she was thinking. She shivered, noticing that the sun had disappeared and a biting breeze had billowed out of nowhere. His eyes had on their dancing appeal, as if he was making fun of her. Tanitha should have been used to it but it was making her heart churn with pain. She had to keep reminding herself over and over that he didn’t feel the same way about her. She tried to put it down as puppy love but couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to it then that. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing them with a slight shiver of anticipation. What was going to happen now?

  “I was out for a run. Cameron’s sister’s cat was mauled by a stray dog…”

  She looked curiously at him as he stiffened. She felt a wave of insatiable curiosity creep over her. Who was he anyway? She realised she didn’t know a hell of a lot about him. It was slightly unnerving but Tanitha’s love helped her overcome that fact so, like so many other things in the past, she merely dismissed it to the back of her head.

  “You know anything about it?”

  “No.” He said it a little too fast for Tanitha’s liking. “The truth is I came to see you.”

  Tanitha’s heart skipped a beat at this line and she looked at him, her head tilted slightly upwards so she could see his face. His gaze was directed at the ground, and not at her own eyes with their laughing gesture. It seemed too, that the same bubbliness had disappeared from his expression.