Mated By The Demon Collections: Paranormal Romance

by Riley Moreno

  “Can I ask what is going on in here Ms. Thompkins! “Practically growling at Gabby till now she didn’t even realize that Sister Nelson had fierce looking dagger like teeth.

  “Oh Mother Superior the students were finishing their assessments for the second marking period and Billy Flannery got bit by Precious our class pet. “Rambling on knowing she just dug herself a big grave one she would never be able to get out of Gabby knew she had no choice but to come clean.

  “What did I tell you about that animal Ms. Thompkins! In fact, if I clearly recall I was quite clear on asking you to remove all those creatures from this classroom as it is against Archdiocese policy!” Sister Nelson’s clenched fists turned a brilliant crimson as her short stubbed nails dug into the clefts of her flesh.

  “I know Mother Superior but – “No sooner did she try to get her words out that Mother Superior put her hands up in front of Gabby’s face.

  “I will deal with you later! For now, exit this room and wait for me in my office! “Pointing to the door Gabby never felt closer to that of a little school girl being scolded for messing her pants than she had at this particular moment.

  “May I explain please Mot- “Once again she was interrupted by Mother Superior as she stomped her black shoes on the tiled floor demanding she exit the area.

  Slowly she walked out knowing her future as a science teacher here at St. Rita’s Catholic Elementary School or for that matter anywhere was in jeopardy. A bad review from Mother Superior would travel with her everywhere like a big red smudge on one’s credit report. The only difference is with a credit report at least in time things fall off with something like this she would be doomed or black listed for eternity. She could hear the students crying asking that Ms. Thompkins to please come back. Sister Nelson being the callous woman she was clapped her hands harshly at the children demanding they sit down or risk staying in detention for two weeks after school. Truly that woman had a heart of stone and it was a wonder how she even managed to keep her job. Billy Flannery begged Mother Superior to listen to him it was his fault this happened he cried in that stuttering pitch of his. Just as Gabby looked back she saw Mother Superior pull the beige shade down on the door. The last sounds she could hear were the quick smacks of someone slapping someone’s face. Billy cried boisterously saying he would tell his parents. This only brought on harsher slaps from Billy’s punisher. The sounds of his young flesh being wounded drove a chill down Gabby’s spine.

  Quickly walking down the white lined hallway she sensed her own peers were eying her up from behind their closed brown classroom doors. Many of them rigid with no life outside of this place had no sense of what was right and wrong. Brainwashed by Mother Superiors scare tactics it was almost like a secret society of sorts that operated on apprehension and domination. Not thinking twice Gabby bolted down the steps keeping her focus on those oblong chestnut doors that locked the outside world. Pushing on the steel beam door handle Gabby was never more grateful to get out of a place as she was now. Job or not she wasn’t about to stick around to become Mother Superiors latest victim. That woman with her cold eyes and blanched skin was looking at the face of death.

  Chapter 2

  The rest of the day Gabby spent strolling around downtown Philadelphia loosing herself in the various shops and historical landmarks the city of brotherly love had to offer. A biting wind blew in from the gloomy skies above nipping away at her exposed fingers. Despite the arctic air and numbing effect on her unprotected flesh she couldn’t think of anywhere else she wanted to be.

  Just as she was about to cross the congested Market Street with its bumper to bumper traffic she noticed a peculiar shop out of the corner of her. Till now she had never noticed this place before. She had walked up and down this particular stretch of downtown countless times and it fathomed her that she never recognized it before. A chipped wooden sign flew back and forth in front of the establishment. In scrawled lettering as if it were written by someone with a severe case of arthritis were the words Delightful Things. If she had to judge the store with that scribbly handwriting and opaque dusty windows, there was nothing delightful at all from the outside appearance. The entrance to the place was a blue painted door that was eroding away in several places. Honestly how did the owner of this place expect any business Gabby wondered with the way it looked. It was a wonder it was still around. Intrigued Gabby went in.

  Once inside the place Gabby couldn’t believe that the exterior was so dilapidated. Certainly the inside with its plush peaches and crème carpets and sweet smells of cinnamon and spice was a complete opposite. The walls painted a shimmering gold added a sparking touch to the room. There were rows and rows of various items shelved on these towering glass shelves. At the head of every row was a neon lit sign advertising the items that were in each aisle. Off to the left hand side stood a tall young man in his mid-twenties tending to the cash register. He had such gorgeous hands they were like of a porcelain doll so perfectly manicured. Smiling at Gabby he had the most perfect smile like one of those rock stars seen on television. Returning the gesture, she didn’t want to make it too obvious after all guys like him preferred the skinny gals who could fit into any skimpy outfit. Someone who shopped in the Plus Size aisle was a far cry from what this hunky young man was looking for.

  Returning her attention to the rows of items Gabby was impressed with how neat these items were neatly arranged in such perfect appearance along the shelves. Any store she had been to in the past always showed signs of customers pulling things off and thrown back in a half assed fashion. Not this place everything stood in silent obedience just waiting for the next customer to pull the item off the shelf for inspection. At the far end of the aisle was a shopping cart full of books. An avid reader since she was a young girl one of the many ways she escaped her chaotic childhood Gabby always on the hunt for a good read. Nestled between the stacks of books was a black leather hardback its freshly glued smell filling her senses. Embroidered over the top of the book the words the Interesting Tales of Zen. Imprinted beneath the title the image of a medium sized man with tiny hands stood his glowing red eyes a sight for anyone to see. Apprehensive at first she was nearly ready to put the book down when the young man from behind the counter appeared.

  “Ah now that my young lady is a good read. I highly recommend it. “He had a weird dialect almost as if he were born in another century or time period.

  “Really? Why you say that? Look at those glowing red eyes they scare the bejeebies out of me. “Laughing that nervous tickle she always generated whenever her anxiety kicked in she was sure the young cashier thought she was some oversized loon.

  “There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Besides it’s just a book Gabby. “Taken back by how he knew her name she was half tempted to ask how he knew her but then again maybe she was just imagining things. Stranger things have happened to her especially with the day she was having already.

  “Hmm. I don’t know. I just don’t like reading scary stuff. It’s not a good mix for me. I think I’ll look around. “

  Just as she began to tour the rest of the establishment she felt the touch of his strong hands upon her flabby arms. Pushing his lean body against her breasts she could sense his prying hands explore the curves of her womanhood. Embarrassed not wanting to be caught doing something inappropriate in a public place Gabby tried to push the young man off. He was so much stronger than her his vigor too much for her already drained spirit. Slowly he ran his hot tongue along her neck. Every kiss was so sensual so serene it put her in a spirit of almost true ecstasy.

  For a brief moment she was transformed into a world of truth of what she really wanted in life. There was romance and sensuality all wrapped up all in the essence of this young man. From his shiny russet hair to his firm muscles she could easily lay alongside of him for hours on end and be truly satisfied. Envisioning a perfect world where they would lie along some sandy beach with a tranquil aqua blue ocean he would empower her with his man hood letting her k
now that he truly cared.

  Ah the thought of being truly cared for was something Gabby always wanted. Not having many boyfriends that truly wanted her instead of the bank account this was a once in a life time chance. Feeling her hand move down to the hardness in his pants she truly wanted to make him moan with pleasure and watch his turquoise eyes widen with pleasure. Just a few more moments and they would both be sprawled on the carpeted floor his young albino skin upon her bronze tone. Together they would have a union that would last them a life time.

  “Peter! What the hell are you doing! Peter! I didn’t hire you to sleep with my customers! “Appearing out of nowhere an elderly woman sat in a wheel chair her wrinkled purple hands clenching the control switch on the left side.

  Never before had Gabby just wanted to shrivel up and sink into some hole somewhere. Here in broad daylight only a few short miles from her job where she was humiliated once again she was experiencing those same feelings of guilt and shame. This was worse than what happened in her classroom. Her beige skirt hiked up to her underwear her woman hood moist from excitement she looked into the beady dark eyes of an old woman with wispy salt and pepper hair. The woman had an unnerving look in those deeply wrinkled cheeks of hers. If looks could kill she was sure the woman would want to stop her heart dead in its tracks.

  “Mrs. Mackie. I am so sorry. Let me ex- “Peter didn’t even have time to explain as the woman withdrew an elongated steel red cane and hit the young man clear across his limp hands.

  Straightening out her skirt not even looking at owner of the store at this point for fear of being called horrible names or even worse. Picking up the book off the bottom of the floor not even thinking at this point Gabby bolted out the door and down the crowded Market Street. Nearly colliding with several pedestrians their glowering looks enough to make her a hermit for the rest of her life all she wanted to do was get on the El and back to her quiet apartment in the Northeast. She doubted she would ever come back to downtown Philadelphia. This was an experience she would never forget.

  Chapter 3

  What seemed hours was only a brief forty-five minutes before Gabby reached the familiar surroundings of her two-bedroom apartment in Pine Gardens. Just seeing the massive fourteen story cerise brick building with its sprawling barren oak trees and winding paths was a welcome sight after a long day filled with embarrassments and judgement. The steel gray skies above pregnant with moisture finally released their fullness upon the area as a stream of freezing rain pelted the sidewalk. A treacherous line of black ice lined the pavements and streets nearby making traveling next to impossible. Nearly falling several times Gabby could just see herself falling on the unyielding surface fracturing several bones. That was all she would need to end an already beyond stressful day.

  Practically sliding on the main walk Gabby was grateful when she finally reached the main entrance. Never before was the sight of the entrance’s shiny glass door a welcome reprieve as it was now. The trepidation of breaking even one of her limbs or dislocated a hip was instilled in her from early childhood as she watched her elderly foster mother Fannie the nicest one she had disintegrated into a pile of skin and bones after taking a major fall in her tiled kitchen. Though she was nowhere the age of Fannie with her sagging skin and list of ailments she was practically the same obese size as the seventy-year-old woman was. Reaching inside her white purse a poor choice for today’s miserable weather she desperately searched for her entrance key.

  “Come in Miss before you catch your death. “There standing like an obedient solider stood the six foot six hunk of man from Jamaica Byron. Dressed in his navy blue security guard outfit his sable hat firmly clasped on his head Gabby found herself wondering what the young stud looked like naked.

  “Thanks so much Byron. I know I have the key here somewhere. “Searching frantically for the key Gabby knew damn well that Byron wasn’t supposed to open the door for any of the residents.

  “No worries Ms. Thompkins. Just get in before you get real sick. “Byron’s sexy deep voice with that island accent of his churned up Gabby’s hormones again putting her in pure lust.

  “You’re such a doll. I appreciate it baby. “Gabby covered her mouth never once calling any man baby not since she dumped her last boyfriend Rod Cassidy.

  For a brief moment Byron stood there his sinewy presence a beacon of strength to her already beaten down spirit. A series of heated flashes swam through her body her skin felt as if there were a thousand pins and needles pressing beneath it as if she had been sleeping on it for hours with no movement. Byron’s clear dark eyes were like looking through those of some dark abyss that had an illuminating light at the end of the tunnel. She couldn’t help but notice his manhood grow in the bulge of his tight pants. Maybe that was just her overly active hormones making pretend.

  “Ah here it is. Damn purse is such a mess. “Pulling out her ring of keys attached to a blue dolphin its smooth skin glistening in the bright light of the main lobby.

  Byron quickly returned to his post behind the security desk glancing briefly at the screens behind. There were at least fourteen black and white monitors that encompassed the entire residence. The guards were responsible for keeping a diligent eye on each area and patrolling to make sure no unwanted visitors gained access to the place. In many ways being alone and on her own Gabby was grateful the complex had this service. Many residents including her own best friend Priscilla thought it was a waste of rental money to have such extravagant things. In Gabby’s opinion though having such measures and practices was a necessity.

  “I best be going to do my rounds Ms. Thompkins. “Walking off Byron didn’t have the same chirpy pitch he had just a few moments ago.

  “Sure. Talk to you soon Byron. “

  Gabby couldn’t help but wonder how many embarrassments she would go through today. Being ridiculed in front of a class of first graders, making out with a young man half her age in a bookstore, and even flirting with an engaged guard whose girlfriend also happened to be her neighbor. Pushing the button, she quietly waited for the elevator hoping that it would quickly arrive so she could just have a stiff drink and end this day.

  Chapter 4

  Reclining on her crème colored leather couch a fresh beer in her hand and the book she had taken from the store in the other Gabby couldn’t even comprehend what she was reading as the series of today’s events swam through her head with the steadfast pace of a summer storm. Rattling her windows behind her she could hear the snapping pop of ice whipping itself against the glass. Those gale-force winds ricocheting in the background the yowls reminding her of a bunch of old woman wailing away at loved one’s funeral. Her life so far had been very much like the current conditions stormy bitter and unfulfilling. She was like a withered leaf being swished around in the tumultuous cyclone of air. Just swishing from one spot to the next moving just moving looking for its permanent resting place but never truly finding it.

  Ever since her mother’s sudden passing from a massive heart attack nearly thirty years ago life had never really been the same. Sure she had food shelter and the basics of survival and even managed to get herself some pretty decent jobs. She was bright, successful and on task with some aspects but then others were just mere dark areas. It was as if she were traveling down elongated darkened corridors with no vision of where she was going or what lie ahead. Till now she was able to keep it together but this recent event with her job and the concept of being unemployed something that till this very second she hadn’t had to deal with it brought things to full circle.

  Drowning her sorrows in the bitter taste of beverage she had laying in her refrigerator for months she really didn’t’ care if the shit was flat or no longer any good. All she wanted at this point was to escape the familiar scenery she called home with her fancy furniture and electronics none of it mattered to her at this point. If she couldn’t have happiness what was the point in the material things.

  Looking around her two-bedroom apartment that she shared w
ith many lovers over the past twenty plus years she lived here there was not one thing here that provided any sense of happiness. From the impressive oil paintings, she purchased from the downtown gallery to the long sixty foot sports television that clung to her front wall its grey surface cold to the touch just like the men she had come across providing her no source of compassion was nothing more than just another piece of electronics. What worth was it if it couldn’t bring her anything? Outside of the make believe world of made up happy endings filled with women who had hour glass bodies and the muscular men that worshipped them like Gods something she would never have all it did was add more sadness to her already melancholic life.

  Drinking more of her beverage she was so tempted to go out into the bitter weather outside and hang out at the local pub down the street. Lou’s Pub was only a hop and jump from her apartment building and offered a welcome reprieve from the doom and gloom she was currently feeling. Gabby rarely went there especially on Tuesday nights when the dart teams were there. It brought a certain clientele that was something she really didn’t want to contend with. Men with unkempt bears that looked more like wild animal hairs with muscle shirts and tattoos frequented the business on these nights. Unfortunately, they were the only types that would give Gabby the time of day. One time she dated someone from the bar there she still could recall his name Eddy Sprout. Eddy was a fifty-year-old man with rickety old teeth many of which were missing or loose and breath smelling like that of a brewery. Not being a gal to say no she dated him for a total of three weeks which abruptly ended when he was killed in a motorcycle accident. The turbulent relationship would still be going on today if it weren’t for that fatal accident along the I95 highway one rainy night. Many days she felt guilty thinking that maybe her own subtle wishes might have caused the terrible mishap. In fact, she had even gone as far as researching online that sometimes are subconscious thoughts can cause the worst things to happen. Dismissing the entire idea as foolishness Gabby knew that such things were not true.