“That’s why the health department can’t wait to shut y’all down!” I shouted as I was dragged out of the famous wing eatery. They forgot my ranch, and I couldn’t let them get away with that offense. My approach maybe could have been better, if only they hadn’t lied about my order. I really should make them pay for my ‘98 Nike Air Maxes that they damaged. I struggled futilely against the muscled Brawny Boys who were holding firmly to my arms. I didn’t even get to finish my wings!
The Brawny Boys threw my arms like limp noodles at the wall and turned without a word, sentinel at the entrance. I stuck my tongue out at them before yelling, “And I won’t be back!”
I turned my head left. No other lights were on. I looked right. The only thing open was Marie’s place, and I didn’t need anything from there…not tonight at least. I peeked at my phone. 11:00 PM. There was another late-night spot on the square, but it was a hike. I shrugged, my rumbling stomach leading me down the lamp-lit roads.
I only came out tonight for Stephanie, my friend via proximity since college. She ditched me for some random person at the lounge tonight. I rolled my eyes at myself for even allowing her to rattle me. This was the culmination of a long line of egregious grievances, and tonight was the last straw. Now, I was out way too late; I’d expected Stephanie’s foolishness to force me home earlier. But I just had to ruin that dream by giving her one last chance
I rounded the corner for a shortcut when I saw a dark figure at the opposite end. Nope. I stopped short, squinted briefly, and pivoted quickly. I refused to make this night any worse. Being accosted by a creep would be the nail in the worst coffin.
I heard exactly one footstep before I felt a calloused hand grip my throat from behind. I prepared to scream, but I quickly shut that down when I felt a warm breath on the back of my neck.
“You don’t look like a screamer. So, don’t start now,” the low voice rumbled. I released the breath I was holding. Every muscle in my body tensed, awaiting his next words.
“You got anything else to say before lights out forever?” the man said, gripping my throat tighter. I swallowed. I chanced a peek over my left shoulder and noticed a full black beard of coarse hair and the profile of a plump lower lip, parted slightly. The gleam of an elongated canine taunted me, a small “D” engraved in it. The canvas for these features was a mocha-brown. Nah, this is the nail in the worst coffin. Screw Stephanie!
The man chuckled darkly, and I jerked my head forward quickly. I inhaled deeply. Exhaled slowly. If this man—or creature—was who I thought he was, then I knew I was absolutely going to die here. He was a myth, a legend to some. The infamous Brynn Westchester—AKA Dream. His claim to fame was killing so quickly that there was no time to dream—of escape, of survival, of anything. Thus, Dream became an Angel of Death known throughout the city. People said he’d been the age of twenty-nine for over seventy years.
Well, if I was going to die tonight, at least I could ask this living legend a question.
“What was your last memory of the sun?” I rushed through the question and squeezed my eyes shut tightly. I refused to show him the terror in my eyes, although the horror in my veins likely pumped louder to him. I balled my fists and clenched my jaw before I exhaled again. Will I still need to breathe in the afterlife?
“It was the last hug I ever gave my sister as the sun set,” Dream said. His hold loosened slowly until his hand dropped from my throat. Surprised, my eyes popped open, and I took a risk and turned to face him. “Nobody’s ever asked me that.”
His face was pinched, his hand still held in midair where my throat sat. I furrowed my eyebrows together. His gaze was far away, as if traveling through the years to that fateful sunset. Eventually, his gaze settled on me curiously. I eyed him back, confused. We stood there in that side street under the glow of the streetlight, taking each other in. I guessed my last moment would have to wait.
Luci Strong is a budding writer, hailing from Mississippi. Her Southern experiences and upbringing shape her writing. She loves to read romances, thrillers, and fantasy novels. When she is not reading, writing, or working in healthcare, she enjoys baking, hanging out with family and friends, and binging various TV shows (current binge: Real Housewives of Atlanta).
Featured image by Chris Dinoto on Unsplash.
