The Smell Of Blood – Part 9 – The End

“I…oh my, I didn’t see you either. I hope nothing broke.”

Retrieving the box he stood up and shook it next to his ear.

“Nope. No harm done. Are you all right? You look pretty frantic if you don’t mind my saying.”

Hesitating, Ellen looked around but her stalker was nowhere to be seen. She looked back at the man who had run into her. He had a kind face and seemed genuinely concerned about her.

“Well…it’s a long story, but there’s a man following me. It’s not the first time he’s done it. I don’t know where he is right now, he was right behind me. I was trying to get to the bus stop to get away from him. I lost my phone or I’d call the police. He left this horrible note in my mailbox…”

Stopping as she realized she was pouring out her soul to a complete stranger she blushed, feeling foolish. She looked around, suddenly unwilling to look him in the eyes.

“Hey, look, it’s all right, no need to be embarrassed. That sounds horrible. So the police know about this guy?”

“No. I mean, they came to my apartment when I got the note but – look, I’m sorry, I don’t want to burden you. I have to get to my bus stop.”

“Wait, you say this guy was just following you? He won’t be far away if that’s the case. I really think you should go to the police. If they know the story maybe they can find him. Look, my car is right around the corner. I’ll drive you to the station; it’s only a few blocks. You really should report this. If you need a ride after that I’ll take you wherever you were going. I’m in no hurry.”

“Oh, I couldn’t impose. Really, I’ll be fine. You’re very kind.”

“No, I insist. Really, you shouldn’t be by yourself right now. Let me give you a ride.”

Thinking it over she conceded he was probably right. She didn’t know where he was right now and that was dangerous. Maybe she should go to the police.

“Okay, if you’re sure. Thank you, thank you so much.”

“No problem. My car is right around the corner. Let’s go. My name is Eddie, by the way.”

“Hi Eddie. I’m Ellen.”

They walked around the corner and he used the remote on his keyring to unlock his late model Mercedes and opened the door for her. Getting in he turned and smiled at her.

About to thank him again she noticed an odd smell.

“Eddie, what’s that odour? It smells sort of familiar. I – “

Ellen barely registered the hand that whipped around to her face from the back and covered her mouth and nose with an ether soaked handkerchief. She was unconscious almost immediately.

Smirking at his partner Eddie nodded his approval.

“You’re right, John, she’s very special. It’s going to be a wonderful night.”

John pulled his cutthroat razor from his pocket and cut a thin line across her cheek. Shuddering in anticipation he leaned in to take a deep whiff of the blood that rolled down to her throat; It was dark, rich and, he decided, luscious as he lapped it up with his long thin tongue.

“Yes, Eddie, it most certainly is. Now get us out of here before someone spots us.

The End

The Smell Of Blood – Part 8

Maintaining his distance, Ellen’s stalker took out his phone and punched in a number. After a brief conversation he put it away and picked up his pace. He could feel excitement beginning to course through his veins. As he felt the familiar tic in his neck he counted his heartbeats, revelling in the thought of the blood flowing free. He wore a beatific smile now as he weaved in and out of the foot traffic. He sniffed the air with confidence and his steps felt light and effortless. Anticipation, as always, was sweet.

Trying her best to compose herself Ellen decided to sit down and have a brief rest before continuing to the bus that would take her to Anne’s. She considered a cab but decided she needed the time the bus would take to think things through.

Sitting down on a bench facing the shops she forced herself to breath deep and relax. Nothing was to be gained from tension. She let her shoulders drop and her mind wander for a bit. The sun felt good on her face and a gentle breeze cooled her down.

Seeing her stop he pulled up short and considered his next move. Stepping to the curb now he crossed the street and continued on, keeping his eye on Ellen. She was so close now. Allowing his imagination free reign he put his hands in his pockets and day dreamed of things to come. Sweet memories ran as a slide show in his head.

Noticing that she was sitting in front of the department store she had passed on the way to the pub last Friday Ellen spotted the dress that had caught her interest and went over to check it out. It was a beautiful cocktail dress of some rich fabric and the styling would suit her figure well, she decided. Making a mental note to come back the next day and try it on she was about to head for the bus stop again when she had the sensation that she wasn’t paying attention to something she should be. She looked around but saw nothing unusual and then she noticed the reflection in the glass.

Standing directly across the street from her with his hands in his pocket and a sickening smile on his face was her tormentor. Her head filling up with a rush of thoughts, Ellen forced herself to stand still and not react. If she ran he’d know she’d spotted him. Her being rapidly filling with the urge to turn and scream at him, she decided it would be best to just keep moving toward the bus stop.

Walking along at a normal pace she didn’t look across the street. If he didn’t know she figured she had a good chance of just joining the crowd at the bus stop and she’d be safe and on her way to Anne’s in no time.

Allowing herself to pick up her pace a bit, she reasoned that the bus stop being still two blocks away made it prudent. She stayed close to the buildings in case she needed to duck into one. Holding down the anger at her carelessness in losing her phone she stayed focused on getting on the bus and away to safety. If only she could call that policeman now.

Sensing that she was on to him he took out his phone and hit redial. As he put the phone away he picked up his pace and closed the gap. Excitement was in the air and he felt the old familiar urge.

Moving along the shops Ellen nearly jumped out of her skin as a man carrying a parcel came out of a doorway unexpectedly and collided with her nearly knocking her to the ground.

“Oh, Miss, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you alright?”

Tomorrow, Part 9 – The End

The Smell Of Blood – Part 7

The police response time was admirable. Ellen, still shaking, let them in and they all sat down together and she told them the story from the beginning. Writing diligently in his little notebook one officer nodded sympathetically as his partner asked the pertinent questions.

Looking through the blinds in the bedroom at the street they seemed unimpressed and shrugged as Ellen stood by.

“Miss, we’ll take this in for fingerprinting and we’ll let you know if we find anything. I’m afraid there’s nothing more we can do at the moment. We’ll talk to your friend about last Friday night, but unless we can get a print that could connect this guy to the note we really don’t have anything to go on. Following someone isn’t a crime in and of itself.”

Ellen nodded dully and thanked them for coming, locking the door after them. Trudging back to the bedroom feeling empty she couldn’t imagine how she was going to get to sleep let alone make it to work the following day.

Waking with a pounding headache the next morning she swallowed two aspirin and got herself dressed and onto the bus. Gazing out the window absently she couldn’t stop thinking about that horrible note, tormenting herself with vivid imaginings.

Moving through the office to her desk people glanced at her but seemed to turn away as if they knew something was wrong and they didn’t want any part of it. She could hardly blame them.

Sitting in the break room in the afternoon watching a cup of coffee go cold her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Ms. Addams, officer Conner, we met last night.”

“Yes, hello.”

“The results are back and I’m afraid there are no prints on the note or envelope other than your own. Not that we expected there would be, mind you, the sort of person who would write such at thing would usually take precautions.”

Saying nothing, Ellen stared at the wall and waited.

“Um, we’ll have a patrol car canvas your area as often as possible, but other than that there’s nothing more we can do at the moment. Please call me immediately if you see him again. You have the card with my number I gave you?”

“Yes. Thank you officer.”

Ellen rose with a heavy sigh and returned to her work. Near the end of the day she called Anne and told her what had happened.

“My god, Ellen, that’s horrible! Listen, you shouldn’t be alone tonight. Why don’t you come over to my place after work, okay? We can talk and I’ll make dinner. I think it would be good for you.”

“Thanks Anne. Let me think. I have to get back to work. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

Passing through the revolving door and onto the street Ellen stood at the kerb trying to decide what to do. Numbness pervaded her and nothing registered. Dialling Anne’s number she tried to think of what to say.

“Hi Anne. I…yeah, I guess I’ll head over to your place. See you soon.”

Dropping the phone into her purse absent-mindedly she missed and it clattered against the pavement and bounced into the traffic lane just as a bus pulled up. The sound of the plastic casing splintering was nearly drowned out by the hiss of the brakes.

Standing and staring dumbfounded tears welled up and she began walking to escape all the looks she was drawing. Flushed and crying she hurried down the street completely oblivious to the dark clad man who had been watching her intently and now followed at a leisurely pace.

Part 8 Tomorrow

The Smell Of Blood – Part 6

Standing on the corner with her heart pounding Ellen considered her options. She felt like running but she was wearing heels. She turned away and crossed the street trying to act casual. Willing herself not to look back she began calculating the distance to the next major street in her head.

Picking up her pace a bit when she was out of sight of the cross street she finally succumbed to the urge to look back. Dear god, he was following her. At a leisurely pace, but following just the same. She prayed a taxi would come along but the street was virtually deserted.

Continuing down the street at a quicker pace now she tried to calm herself. He wouldn’t dare attack here in the open if that was what he intended. There was too much chance of someone seeing him. Every business she passed was closed. She tried to remember if there was restaurant or pub down this way; perhaps she could lose him by ducking in to one.

Crossing the street at the next intersection she glanced behind her again. He was still coming, but seemed in no hurry. She was about to continue when her brain registered a neon sign that was lit on the side street she was now just past.

Turning abruptly she hurried back to the corner and toward the sign. It was a restaurant and as she got to it someone inside was turning the sign over to say they were closed. She banged frantically on the door and a waitress pulled the curtain aside and peered out at her.

Gesturing that she needed to get inside she saw the waitress shake her head and mouth the word sorry. Beside herself now Ellen screamed loud enough to be heard through the glass.

“Please, help me, I’m being followed.”

The waitress hesitated and then nodded and unlocked the door. Rushing inside Ellen gushed her thanks and explained what was happening. Coming out of the kitchen the owner had overheard the story and rushed over to console her.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe in here. I can call the police if you like.”

“I don’t know if you should. He hasn’t done anything, it’s just that I saw him staring at me last Friday night in a pub and I think he’s been stalking me but I can’t be sure. I don’t know what to do.”

The owner nodded and thought for a moment.

“I’ll go outside and see if there’s anyone out there.”

Shrugging, he came back in a minute later.

“There’s no one out there, Miss. Are you sure you were being followed?”

“Of course I’m sure. Look, I’m not making this up, I was in danger!”

The owner and waitress exchanged a brief look and Ellen felt foolish.

“Look, if I could stay in here a few minutes I would be really grateful. In fact, if you could call me a taxi that would be great.”

“Sure, no problem. Have a seat. Melissa will get you a glass of water, or a glass of wine if you like. It’s on me.”

He left to make the call and Melissa got her a glass and sat with her while they waited. When the cab came she thanked them both profusely and left for home. When they arrived she asked the driver to wait until she was inside before leaving.

Walking up the path she realized she had forgotten to retrieve her mail and went back to the box. There was a small envelope without a stamp on it. She took it out and opened it and read the one sentence written on the crisp white vellum inside and felt her face go white.

It read:

I want to smell your blood.

The Smell Of Blood – Part 5

Arising from a better night’s sleep than the previous one Ellen checked her diary and discovered that in her preoccupation with her elusive stalker she had forgotten about an after work function she needed to attend.

Arriving at work she checked that it was still on only to find it was. Not being in the mood but needing to be a team player she resigned herself to going. A hectic day lay ahead but that would be a good distraction all the same.

The day flew by and she gathered up her things and headed for the lift. One of the guys from accounting who had flirted with her in the past was onboard and her heart sank at the sight of his grin.

“Hi Ellen. Going to the function?”

“Hi Greg. Yeah, have to, eh?”

Studying the buttons and anything else she could to avoid eye contact was either too subtle a hint or he simply wasn’t buying it.

“Well, maybe we can have a drink together.”

Rolling her eyes at the ceiling she turned a noncommittal smile on him.

“We’ll see. I have to coordinate.”

Walking with haste as the elevators doors opened she turned down a hall as though she had business to attend to before the function. She was thankful Greg didn’t offer to follow. She really didn’t want any male attention and that was that.

When she was sure he was gone she left the building. Thankful for the small blessing that the function was in the opposite direction of the construction site she made it a full block before she realized it was at the very pub she had gone to with Anne.

Willing herself not to think about what had happened last time she was there she forced herself to be in the moment and walked in greeting everyone she knew. She got stuck in to coordinating the event, noting that her boss was watching with approval.

The evening was going fine and she was more relaxed than she had been for days. Moving smoothly through her agenda she felt glad she had come to the event. Pouring herself a glass of wine she glanced around the pub and couldn’t deny a feeling of relief that the man from last Friday night wasn’t to be seen. Allowing herself to believe the whole thing might be over she smiled and went back to networking.

At the end of the evening she made sure everyone was out before she wrapped up the proceedings and went outside to hail a cab. Shivering at the drop in temperature on a clear night she glanced up and down the street but traffic was very light and there wasn’t a cab in sight. Not seeing any alternative she started walking. There was a busier street a few blocks up where you could always get a cab. Walking briskly to try to overcome the cold she couldn’t resist looking back to make sure no one was behind her. Finding the street clear she relaxed and slackened her pace a bit.

Crossing at the intersection she glanced down the side street and her heart leapt into her throat. Leaning against a lamppost and looking straight at her was the man from the pub.

Part 6 Tomorrow

The Smell Of Blood – Part 4

The following day Ellen had the sensation of being watched on her way to the bus stop after work but looking around she could see no one suspicious, much less the man from the pub who’s face she was beginning to have trouble remembering clearly.

At home she found herself constantly peeking through the blinds to see if she was being watched. After her third glass of wine that evening she managed to convince herself she was being foolish, if not downright paranoid.

She listened to some music for a while and finally it was time to get ready for bed. She was drowsy from the wine and once again forgot to draw the blinds as she got in to bed. She debated simply leaving them open, but she knew she’d wake up later and not be able to get back to sleep if she did. Cursing softly she got back up and went over to draw them.

She glanced out as she did and froze, the cord still in her hand, the blinds drawn. Was it her imagination or was there a figure out there as there had been last Friday night? She hesitated but finally she had to know. She slowly opened the blinds again and to her horror saw a dark clad figure standing exactly where she had seen him before. This time she was sure it was a man, but she couldn’t make out his features. He stood motionless in the middle of the street just out the halo of a streetlight and she was certain he was looking directly at her bedroom window.

She considered calling the police but she knew he’d be gone long before they got there and she’d simply look foolish. She looked away for a moment then held her breath and looked through the blinds again. He was gone.

She drew the blinds and went to bed, but sleep was a long time coming. She felt helpless and utterly alone. What could she do? She couldn’t prove any of this was happening. Unless of course one of the neighbours had seen him also, but how would she know?

She imagined herself ringing doorbells and asking each person who answered if they had seen a mysterious figure standing in the middle of the road late at night. No, that would certainly never do.

She continued to fret but eventually drowsiness won out and sleep overtook her. The following day on the ride in to work though she was deep in thought and almost missed her stop. She threw herself into her work but on her break she called Anne.

“Anne, I saw him again last night. The guy who was standing in the street.”

“Now you’re sure it’s a guy? I thought you couldn’t tell?”

“It’s a guy. I’m sure of it. And I think I saw him on the way to the bus yesterday. I was passing the construction site and I glanced across the street and I think I saw the guy from the pub. I’m scared Anne. I don’t know what to do.”

“Aw, honey, are you sure you’re not letting your imagination run away with you? I don’t mean to downplay your feelings, but you really don’t have anything to go on, you know?”

“I know. Look, I just needed to talk to someone. You’re right, there’s nothing I can do. No one has approached me. I can’t even be certain any of it is real. Maybe it’s just that creepy guy in the pub.”

“I think that’s it. Just let it go. If you see the figure in the street again tonight call me right away, okay?”

“Okay, I will. Thanks Anne.”

Ellen hung up but she didn’t feel any better. There had to be some way to figure out what was going on.

Tomorrow, Part 5

The Smell Of Blood – Part 3

Ellen stepped back from the window, startled by the unexpected. What would someone be doing standing in the middle of the street at this hour? She moved back to the window and looked again. There was no one there. She drew the blinds and sat down on the bed. Had she imagined it? Was it a trick of the light? She decided she’d had too much to drink and was somewhat spooked by the guy who had been watching her at the pub. She got into bed and put the whole matter out of her mind. Sleep was a bit longer in coming than usual but eventually she felt into restful slumber.

Monday morning on her break she had the urge to call Anne and tell her about what she had seen.

“That’s creepy Ellen, but you’re not sure you actually saw someone?”

“Well, I can’t be sure. The streetlights are so bright, and if there was someone there he was just out of the halo, in shadow, you know? I just don’t know.”

“Well, I doubt it’s anything to worry about. You didn’t see anyone Saturday or Sunday night?”

“No. You can bet I checked though.”

“Probably nothing to it then. Relax, girl.”

It was time for her presentation after that and the afternoon was busy as well and by the end of the day the matter was forgotten. As she left work she once again began to dread the gauntlet of construction workers, but it was inevitable and she began walking to the bus stop.

After half a block she began to have a strange feeling, one she couldn’t quite identify. She stopped and looked around but nothing seemed out of place and she continued on. As she reached the construction site she could see a woman just ahead of her receiving the treatment and she set her mouth in a grim line and picked up her pace.

As she was passing and they began whistling at her she turned her face away from them and looked to the other side of the street. She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw a man looking her way. The taunts from the construction site got her moving again but she wasn’t paying them any mind. She looked again at the other side of the street but he wasn’t there. She had been nearly certain it was the guy from the pub. Where had he gotten to so quickly?

She picked up her pace again, but now she was nervous. Was she imagining things? If it was he did it really mean anything? She thought about what she had seen, or thought she had seen in the street outside her apartment. As she continued on to the bus stop she looked over shoulder frequently but nothing was amiss.

The ride home was uneventful and she relaxed and decided she was being overly sensitive and that the events of Friday night must have affected her more than she realized. By the time she got home she had decided she was simply being silly and the thing to do was to have a nice dinner and a couple of glasses of wine, followed by a leisurely bubble bath.

Getting off the bus at her stop she didn’t glace back as she walked up the street to her apartment. If she had she would have seen a figure watching her go and writing something down in a small notebook.

Part 4 Tomorrow

The Smell Of Blood – Part 2

Anne wanted more details about the ongoing tribulations with the construction workers and Ellen filled her in on all the gritty details, much to Anne’s amusement. As they caught up on the day-to-day minutiae of each other’s lives Anne could see from her vantage point that the creepy guy in the corner was still studying Ellen.

“I hate to break it to you sister, but that guy is still checking you out. You wanna go somewhere else?”

Ellen finished her glass of wine and signalled the bartender for another.

“Nope. I’m not gonna let myself be bullied. If I start now it won’t end. Just ignore him, he’s a loser.”

Anne shrugged and Ellen went and fetched her drink and got one for Anne. They went on with their conversation and were having a good time, though Anne continued to note the guy in corner never took his eyes off of Ellen.

They had one more round and were about to call it quits when the stranger got up from his seat and appeared to be approaching them.

“Oh no, he’s headed this way Ellen.”

“Don’t look at him. Keep talking.”

The man crossed the space between them slowly and for once didn’t look at Ellen. As he got along side not three feet from them he hesitated slightly then kept moving toward the door. Now it was Ellen who had a good view of him and as he opened the door he glanced over his shoulder at her and a smile spread slowly across his face, then he was gone.

“My god, that was creepy.”

“What? What did he do?”

“He turned his head and smiled at me. What a creep. Honestly, I’m so off men right now.”

Anne smiled and finished her wine.

“It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?”

“Don’t start with me. I’m not missing anything, thank you very much.”

They decided it was time to go and went out to hail a cab. They lived in the same part of town so it made sense to just get one. They piled in laughing and jostling each other and didn’t notice the cab that stopped just behind theirs as they pulled away.

Ellen dropped Anne off and then sank back in the seat to relax for the rest of the short ride to her apartment. She paid the driver and started walking up the path and noticed out of the corner of her eye that another cab had stopped some ways back on the street, but no one got out and she gave it no more thought.

Getting ready for bed she thought about what Anne had said just before they left the bar. She decided she hadn’t been fibbing when she said she really didn’t need anyone in her life right now. She had a great job and a handful of good friends. Things would change when they should and she wasn’t going to be concerned either way.

As she turned out the light she realized she hadn’t drawn the blinds and went over to the window. She couldn’t sleep without them closed as the streetlights shone right into her bedroom. As she reached for the cord her breath caught in her throat. Someone was standing in the middle of the road some ways down the street, a dark silhouette motionless in the soft light falling on the asphalt.

Tomorrow, Part 3

The Smell Of Blood – Part 1

Ellen took the lift down to the ground floor and headed for the exit door trying not to think about what was probably coming next. Construction had been going on for weeks at a site between her office and the bus stop and some of the construction workers were real pigs.

It wasn’t so much the wolf whistles that bothered her as the numbered signs they held up as women passed. It was disgusting, really, being rated on your attractiveness by a bunch of mindless yobs.

She sighed as she headed down the street towards the inevitable gauntlet. Just before she reached the dreaded block her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hey there Ellen. Are you on the bus yet? Feel like kicking your heels up?”

Ellen stopped in her tracks.

“Hi Anne. Hmm…that sounds tempting. It is Friday, isn’t it? Oh, what the hell, why not. Where should I meet you?”

“How about Flannery’s? You can walk it from work, eh?”

“Sounds perfect. See you there.”

Great, she thought, and headed back the way she had come. So long, troglodytes, you’ll just have to rate somebody else today. The rest of the day was beginning to look up. She felt lighter as she strolled along the few blocks to the pub, stopping to window shop as she went. She made a metal note that a new dress in the department store window just might be worth trying on.

When she got to the pub Anne hadn’t arrive yet so she got a table for two and ordered herself a glass of wine. She took out some notes for a meeting she was chairing the following Monday and began going over them while she waited.

A couple of minutes later she sensed something wasn’t quite right and looked up to see what it might be. She looked around the room but nothing seemed to be amiss. As she looked back down she caught something out of the corner of her eye and glanced up again. A man across the room was checking her out. That’s what she had sensed. She gave him the once over and rejected him out of hand and went back to her notes.

“Hey girl, been her long?”

“Hi Anne. Nope, just a few minutes really. Get yourself a drink.”

She glanced over at the man again as Anne went to the bar and noticed he was still looking at her slyly. She rolled her eyes and made a point of looking away. She really wasn’t in the mood to be hit on. Hopefully the arrival of Anne would discourage him.

Arriving back at the table Anne dropped into her seat and let out a big sigh.

“My god, what a week! I’m so glad it’s over. How was yours?”

“Not too bad. I have a big meeting on Monday so I might have to do a little work over the weekend to prepare, but other than that it’s all good. Thanks for saving me from the construction workers, by the way.”

“They still giving you grief,” Anne chuckled. “How much longer till that building is finished?”

“Looks like at least a couple of weeks. Anyway, now there’s a guy across the room checking me out. Honestly, what’s with men these days?”

“Honey, you’re a hottie. It’s your cross to bear.” Anne laughed aloud as she glanced over at the guy.

“I see what you mean. He sure is interested in you. Maybe we should hold hands or something to discourage him.”

Ellen shook her head.

“Maybe he’ll go away if we just ignore him.”

Part 2 Tomorrow

The Pale Dark Rider – Part 7 – The End

When I finally had a chance to try to sort out the madness I found that I didn’t really have much will for it. The whole matter was so horrifying to me and made no sense whatsoever. I did, however, feel there was something hiding in the back of my mind that I wasn’t allowing to come through.

I thought about that for a while and found myself conflicted about pursuing it further. I even considered going into therapy, the idea that I might be slowly losing my mind still a possibility, though I considered it remote.

After another week I was no closer to resolving the mystery and day to day matters once again took precedence and while the memory of the latest incident never left me for long I somehow came to accept it and simply found I had better things to do with my time.

The last event was nearly two years ago now, and life has been good to me, and for that I’m very grateful. I feel I’ve lived a full life and been blessed in so many ways. It’s important that I mention that, I feel. A man should always count his blessings, for you never really know when the end will come, as it does to us all.

Well, that is to say, most never know when the end will come. I can state with some certainty now, speaking strictly for myself of course, that it’s best to not know these things. What’s that old saw about the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep? Yes, I quite agree that it would be preferable, that.

You see, I’m sitting on a train bound for a meeting I’m scheduled to attend, but I don’t suppose I’ll be attending after all. Sitting next to me as of a few minutes ago is a pale dark stranger with a most horrible grin on his face.

The End