I call this home

[Edmond]

It was a cold dark night and a silent snow filtered through the calm sky. The snowflakes sparkling blue in the blanket of darkness and they seemed to float softly downward until they touched the wet ground and melted. He looked down at the ground and watched them disappear as if the wet cement seemed to swallow them. A smirk crept across his pale lips at the thought of the sidewalk being a big tongue stuck out ready to catch a snowflake. He recalled such advents as a child and it made his light green eyes shift back up to the sky. The Nimbostratus clouds began to open to reveal the full moon. It gave the night a little more light unto the path not that it mattered to Edmond. He could see perfectly in the night as if it were day time to him.

Zipping up his thick jacket, a gesture a mortal would do as if they were cold; he progressed onward down the street. Stepping off of the cement he began to tread upon the slick wet grass and he began to wonder if the snow would actually stick tonight. Evidently it didn’t show any promise but the beauty was still gratifying. Crossing through a park where a band was putting their instruments away for the night he managed to keep a fair distance from them. Their murmurs were soft and eager to go to their homes and be off to bed. And so he left them at that, keeping his tempted desires at draining them from life at bay.

Edmond wasn’t far from where he was heading. There an old rundown church lay nearly hidden in a clutter of spruce trees. The windows had been boarded up due to vandalism and weather. The structure was older than he was even when he was a mortal man. A place he remembered well during his mortal times, even then it was abandoned. “Welp I’m home” he said pushing the heavy wooden doors closed behind him as his voice echoing into the darkness. The thick smell of mold, dust, and rotten wood lingered in his nostrils when he walked further down the congregation hall. Each heavy step he took made the wooden floor moan under his weight in protest. This place suited him. He felt an abandoned building would fit a creature that had been abandoned as well. Throwing his jacket onto a pew to his right he ruffled his light brown hair and pushed up his long sleeves to pick up a pile of broken tiles that had crashed in from the roof when a branch fell. If he were planning on staying here then perhaps a decent renovation would be needed.

[Edmond]

With no materials to nail the debris back together he bent down and dropped the pile of tiles behind the podium in front of the congregation hall until he had the utensils to actually revamp anything here. “huh” he chuckled out at the thought of the word revamping even the mortal words had some words reminding him of what he was now even though the meanings were two separate things. Leaning on the podium he looked out to the pews and let out a small exasperated sigh. This will have to do until dusk. He had wasted enough time tonight as it was trying to find something more appealing to feed upon beside humans. He was once a vegetarian at one time. Now look at him. He was a creature that fed upon the living. Light green eyes lifted up to the damaged hole in the roof and he shook his head.

Edmond hadn’t taken in the fact that now he would need to find shelter for the morning. Of course he could dig out one of the old graves that littered the property. But he had more regard for the dead now than the living and he couldn’t burden disrupting their eternal rest of peace by sharing a coffin with them. No, he wouldn’t. So he decided to explore the church further and see if perhaps there were any other places for him to rest. He could feel the low rhythmic beating in his ears that warned him of the morning sun and that it was coming within a few hours.

Sure enough just behind the baptismal there was a door to the pastor’s office and in that room in the back of the coat closet was another door leading down to a basement. He thought it odd for a church to be structured like this. Perhaps it was do to the era it was constructed. Lightly he tested the first wooden step. It was very narrow and steep. But thankfully the stair held his weight. Being a young fledgling he was heavy on his footing and not so great with his agile reflexes so he took his advances steady. Good he thought as he took another step downward into the darkness. The wooden step creaked under him and he quickly went to the next step calculating in his mind to watch that one.

The farther we went down the more it smelt of water damage, dust, and mold. A silk spider web brushed against his face and the smoothness of the old web felt interesting against his face. Finally when he got to ground level he looked down the narrow boxed in room. This is perhaps where they hid slaves during the Underground Railroad around the Civil War time; he read about houses and buildings like these and was fascinated by them. So he found his resting place and he still had time to wonder around a bit more. And so he made his way back up the stairs.

[Anabelle Luminati]

Anabelle ran like she had never ran before. Tears streamed down her inflamed cheeks. All she could think about was how stupid she was. Why had she left Louisiana with him of all people? She knew why, if she thought about it. Those gorgeous blue eyes and that deep, sexy accent had drawn her to him like a bee to honey. He had promised her things that she would never have back home - a life of glamour and excitement. So she had packed what little belonged to her and fluttered away from the only life she knew.

Now she regretted that decision. Dried blood stained the flesh just below her lip, and a hue of purple threatened to shame her right cheek. Ana didn't want this. She would have much preferred the quiet backwoods place she came from over this, which is exactly why she had left while he was still in a drunken stupor. It made little difference to her that it was just as dangerous outside of that apartment as it was within. Ana just needed to get away.

It took half an hour of running for the young woman to finally stop and rest at a broken lamppost. She needed to clear her head, actually think about what she was going to do. There wasn't enough money to stay at a hotel for the night, not if she wanted to take a train as far south as possible. Her phone was dead, and it wasn't very likely that any of her kinfolk had the money to come get her either.

A sigh left her split lips as she walked further into the chaos that was this city. She needed sleep before she did anything, and it wasn't exactly safe to do that on the subway or in a park. It was as she pondered her situation that her dark blues happened upon the decaying structure. Would He provide shelter to His vagrant daughter within His sanctuary? It seemed as good a place as any to catch a bit of shut eye.

So with wary steps, she made her way to the doors and pushed them open, although it was with some difficulty. Once the outside world had been shut out, Ana's curious gaze scanned the area. The place certainly seemed deserted.

[Edmond]

After managing to get the small wooden door closed without causing the rusty hinges to buckle Edmond emerged out of the coat closet and brushed his pale palms against his legs, the grime and dust leaving splotches of gray upon his black pants. Streaks of moon light filtered through the cracks of the boarded window to his left and something seemed to have caught his eye. A shard of silver under the trim work in the corner of the office gleamed for his attention. For sure, if he were a mortal man he would have over looked such things. Perhaps it was just a dime that fell out of some teenager’s pocket. He thought. Shuffling across the floorboards and around the broken desk he moved towards the small item that was almost hidden on the floor. His silhouette blocked out the moon’s gaze as he slowly crouched down and placed the tip of his pointer finger upon the cool object.

It was obviously metal. Pressing harder down upon the thing to get a better grip with his finger he dragged it towards himself. His light green gaze fixated with curiosity. Everything looked beautiful to him with these new founding eyes, even if this was a small round form of currency it would still look stunning all in its own way. But the farther he pulled it out the more it became apparent that it was not a small coin. The edge was too sharp and the metal too pure. Finally he had pulled it out enough to where he could grasp the small flat rectangle bottom. His eyebrows furrowed for a moment in wonder and pure astonishment as he pulled it completely out from the thick wooden border. He was holding a small cross the size of half of a pinky finger and as thin as a stick of gum. Tugging the last bit of silver chain from the wooden trim that ran along the flooring he stood and examined the relic he stumbled upon.

He was holding a cross. He thought; so why was he not burning? As roundabout as it sounds he figured since the church was abandoned he could stay here safe without having God turn him into dust. But now that he was holding a Holy piece of jewelry then perhaps some rumors were just that: rumors. So what else could he do that was not a wives tale. Could he be around garlic, mirrors, holy water, and perhaps the sun? No he wouldn’t risk doing something like walk out into the sun. Because as far as he was aware when it turned 4am and there was still no sun he could still feel it burning his eyes.

The cross, cool in the palm of his hand, was none of his concern right now because someone had entered the church. And by the smell of it they were not an animal but a human, and a hurt one at that. Grinding his teeth by the succulent smell of blood he slipped out of the pastor’s office towards the congregation hall. His hold upon the necklace tightened to where the edges cut at his palm. He was quick and managed to turn down the back isle and stand in the middle of the baptismal behind the podium where a preacher would preach on a fine Sunday morning. There the shading was just right to where he blended into the darkness. “Why do you come here woman.” He asked. Do you not know how easy it is for me to kill you right now?! He wanted to say but he bit the tip of his tongue and quit breathing. Hopefully if he spooked her out of here she would be gone and he wouldn’t have to endure any more of the scent of her blood. Emerging from the shadows he climbed out of the small structure that was more like a giant bathtub than a baptismal. His light green eyes narrowing as if he was zoning in on his prey.

[Anabelle Luminati]

Ana had thrown her backpack on one of the few pews that still remained its structural integrity. Slender fingers came up to her chin, wiping away the dark crimson stains. A peculiar smell reached her nose as she did so, something akin to wet dog, but not really. Her brows furrowed in confusion, as Ethan would never have a dog in the house. But those thoughts were cut short by an unfamiliar voice. Her automatic response had been to jump in fright and cower, but oddly enough her limbs refused to move.

Fear was evident in the features of the young woman's innocent face. She was no foolhardy girl. at least for the most part. Whoever was in the building was probably stronger than herself and had darker intentions. Millions of possibilities flashed throughout her mind, all the while her body standing as still as could be. Only her chest rose up and down, the heart within pitter pattering a mile a minute.

Somehow, the brunette found her tongue. "I... I didn't think anyone would be here.. I'm sorry for intruding." She gulped heavily, her voice had sounded like that of a frightened school girl. "I.. just wanted somewhere dry to stay... for a while."

Her cerulean gaze immediately sought out whoever hid within the shadows, though her body was slowly inching toward her possessions. There was no thought that perhaps this man would allow her to stay, safe within the hallowed halls from all the horrors that awaited her outside. She had seen the ugliness of this city - no one was out for his fellow man. This world, so different from her own, was no place for a gentle flower like her to flourish. She needed to get out, and that compulsion drove her to hastily grab her bag and make her way for the door.

Unfortunately, Anabelle had never been very graceful. Her weak human eyes prevented her from seeing the bit of rubble that was in the path before her, and luck would have it that her footfall would allow for her to trip over it. It almost seemed like a classic cartoon moment, the flying of her belongings and the tumble of the young woman straight into the door. Indeed, had there been tweety birds flying around her head as she sought to compose herself, Ana might have laughed. However, as her blurry gaze centered in on the pulpit, the young woman found absolutely nothing funny about the situation.

Instead, she thought to herself. `Way to go, Ana. You've successfully proven how pitiful you are.`

[Edmond]

He was no mind reader but he knew that he had scared her. There she stood deathly still, her eyes trying to peer through the blackness of night to find the voice that crudely vaporized through the silent building with which she had thought was vacant. Good he thought as his hold on the small cross loosened in his grasp, she will leave and he will not be bothered by her succulent scent of blood. It appalled him that all he wanted to do was crush this human’s very body just so he could drink up every last drop of her blood. Then her meek voice spoke and his narrowing gaze subsided. It was a huge reality check on his part.

Is this how it will be like forever; being a monster in the night frightening off the weak and mortal? Anger seared throughout his body to where he trembled in means to control himself. Now the cluts fell and scattered all of her belongings along the dirt ridden floor boards and what was he to do now? Thoughts jumbled threw his mind in a chaotic mesh of uncertainty and hatred. Should he kill her or help her, kill her or leave her here in this ridiculous building, or just kill her and stay here. Every possibility sounded titillating to him especially the thought of her warm blood spurting into his mouth in a splash of gratifying enjoyment.

The tip of his tongue ran slowly along the lower part of his lip barely brushing against his sharp fangs. The small grooves on his tongue which were his dead taste buds seemed to catch on each fang like a fingernail gently scratching a surface that wasn’t smooth. Her presence was making him thirsty. God that dry craving parch that pounded at him for more blood. He wondered if it was even possible to drink and drink until every part of him was spewing out blood. He shook his head from side to side to get those tempting thoughts out of his head but there in the back of his thick scull seemed to be that sinister voice. It told him to slowly go to her, gently pluck her up from the dirty ground and pull her closer towards him and drink. Drink until your hearts content. It spoke as if the voice was smiling a cruel sinister smile.

He took a step further, the small silver chain that dangled in his clutched grasp shimmered a bluish white in the moon light that crept through the hole in the ceiling. Soon his silhouette became more visible and he stepped further along up the isle towards her. His jaw line grew rigid and his hair fell like a curtain over his eyes. “You foolish woman,” He finally managed to regain his voice back “Do you not conceive the slightest knowledge at how dangerous you are treading on ice right now.” He stopped in front of her and stared her down.

[Anabelle Luminati]

Anabelle heard the footsteps against the cold, hard floor and instantly knew that her demise was at hand. She was stupid, stupid to have come to this damned city at all, stupid to have listened to Ethan when she didn't even know him, and stupid not to have gone straight to the subway. A coldness other than that of the air seeped through her white hoodie and settled upon her fair skin, causing her to shiver. Though something within her told her to fight, to hold onto life dearly, all she could do was stare ahead with teary eyes.

At the man's words, Ana took a deep breath. What was so wrong with people here?! She hadn't done anything to anyone, yet fate had handed her nothing but pain and misery. A tear gently rolled down her bruised cheek as she pressed further against the door behind her. What would she do if he was to touch her? Scream? Fight him? Beg for mercy? None of the options seemed to have a desirable outcome. If this man had any good intentions, he wouldn't have approached her like this.

Gulping down nothing more than chilly, crisp air, Ana looked to her side in search for her belongings. She would never get out of this hell hole if she didn't have cash. `If only there was more light.` Her thoughts were growing desparate. If she threw a bit of the rubble at the man she would definitely have time to get out of the building. Still, the distraction wouldn't be long enough to acquiesce her bag. There was always the option of running too, but at this distance he could easily reach out and grab her scrawny arm.

Again, nothing seemed like a good idea. Howling could be heard in the distance, causing the fragile human to jump again. If only she could get her swollen tongue to start moving again, perhaps she could reason with this man. There was always hope, albeit dim, that things could finally start to look up for Anabelle.

"Please... just let me get my things and you won't ever see me again. I just... I just need what little money I have to get out of this city." Slowly her hand started to creep up the door, as though she was trying to get a feel for the latch to let her out. This was it, the moment where he would either snap her little neck or show her mercy. If he chose the first option, Ana resolved that she would not go without resistance.

[Edmond]

His light green eyes studied her. First they followed the creases on her eyebrows then to her pouty full lips until following the roll of the diamond gleaming tear drop that rolled slowly down her blemished cheek. The heat from that bruised and flustered cheek caused the salty tear to smell stronger. He forgot that he was breathing again. He took in a long deep inhale from his nose and grinded his teeth together. Already feeding from the random animals he could come across, mainly birds and pigs, he was not that hungry. But he knew that if he fed from her, her blood would be more of a dessert. It would be something sweet to tide him over for the next month or two.

Both of them were calculating the distance from one another and the options that would be needed if one took it. And now being this close to her he began to think perhaps the voice inside of his subconscious mind sounded like it had a good idea: to just rid this weak mortal from existence. Her chiming voice cued in the fact that she still had a mind and voice but the words she spoke didn’t mean anything to him. They seemed to bounce off of him in utter ignorance. Very slowly he took one last step towards her and lowered his stance to a crouch. Bending his knees to the point that he was nearly sitting on the heels of his shoes. His left arm extended to where the back of the hand brushed against the floor and his other rested upon a knee still clutching his small trinket.

He was now at eye level with her and being this close he could imagine the heat that radiated off of her. If he were to grab her by the neck and push her against that door it would make her squirm and fight and cause the blood to pump more and it would rise to nearly a boiling heat as her heart would beat in desperation and fear. Her neck would be so hot to his lips that when he broke through the flesh at the nape of her neck blood would just gush out. His light green eyes trailed from her face down to her neck and then back to her face again. “And where do you mean to go?” he could not even recognize his own voice being in that trance his was in. Perhaps he wasn’t fully succumbed to this idea of killing her. Just yet. He was not like the older kind, fascinated by the way the mortals in this world acted and thought because he was born in this era. People had opinions and boy they would speak them out man or woman. So why did he care about the out come of this pitiful woman.

Talking to her would make matters worse. That would break the trance he was in. You can’t have a pet dog and expect to butcher it for dinner. What the hell was his thinking asking her a damned question? The hand that rested upon his knee tightened its fist causing his veins to stick out. He wondered if there was a PTEA group for vampires. That thought at any other moment especially if he was alone would have made him fall over laughing so hysterically blood tinted tears would leak from his eyes. But instead he latched his teeth shut and held them tightly there as he reached out and offered her the small chain. Through great difficulty he sluggishly pulled her up with him after she slowly took the silver thing and pushed her against the wall to keep some distance from her. “Just get your things and leave.”

[Ethan Warren]

Flames still licked at the point of initial contact, or so it felt. She hadn't told him about the metal composition of the earrings. The moment he had decided to show her a bit of affection, a nibble at her earlobes, his flesh reacted to the pure silver hoop earrings his lips grazed against. Instinct grabbed him, tearing him from his humanity for a brief moment and in a fit of rage and confusion, his hand had found Ana's cheek and the corner of her lips. The decision to strike hadn't been his own, though he did perform the action.

A few hours before the actual incident, he and Ana had been enjoying the fruits of his work, one of the most famous stunt doubles in the film industry. His true nature, aided him in the maneuvers and acrobatics that only he seemed to be able to pull off, and as he was becoming so famous, there had been three producers wishing to sign him onto his own movie. That had been the purpose of the celebration and the magnificent party they had attended. Undoubtedly, he had a little too much to drink, but Ana and his agent had always made sure he made it home safely, as she had done that very night.

Hands shoved into his pockets, his black leather jacket, all that protected him from the cold, he traversed the dark streets and alleys of New York, searching out his one true treasure. An occasional sniff of the air and he'd capture various scents of perfume, urine, and alcohol, as well as the usual smog and other toxins in the atmosphere. The cigarette between his lips wasn't helping either. Drawing one more drag from Marlboro, Ethan dropped it to the pavement and twisted his foot over the ember, dousing it. He sniffed again. Her scent had grown stronger, and soon, he'd be reunited with his alabaster angel.

A few more minutes in the hunt, and he caught the scent of blood. It wasn't much, perhaps just a trickle, but blood never the less. His hand slid over his forehead, brushing raven locks that hampered his vision. He needed and desired a haircut, but for the movie that had been presented to him, they required almost shoulder length hair for the part. Cobalt blue eyes locked onto the old church, his nose twitching as he caught the scent of... something else. Death, the church reeked of it.

Growling momentarily, his flesh and clothing dissolved away from his form, replaced with the matted fur of a beast, fangs elongating within his jaws. Razor sharp claws formed where his fingernails had once been. Rearing back on his hind legs, his arms lunging to his sides as he thrust his chest to the moon, he howled before crashing through the front door. Splinters, dust, and debris from the ancient entryway rained down around him, saliva dripping from his clenched jaws. A growl emanated from deep within his gullet, minutely tuning his posture in preparation to defend his princess from the blood-sucker.

[Anabelle Luminati]

Anabelle cringed as she saw the man taking another step toward her, yet her resolve to fight had melted away into sheer terror. Her body tried to inch away, only to be met with the resistance of the door. Teary blue eyes closed for a second, like she was trying to shut the world out. Maybe it would all disappear if she just stayed still like this. Maybe, just maybe, when she opened her eyes, she would be alone and unharmed.

But when she opened her eyes she was met with reality. At least, she thought to herself, he hadn't tried to harm her yet. Instead, he had finally asked her a question that held no menace behind it. Blinking in confusion, she spoke softly. "As far south as I can go.. away from this city... away from him..." She took in a deep, shaky breath as one hand went to cup her bruised cheek - a reminder of why she was here in the first place. Every word she had said was true. She just had to get as far away as she could, then she would reach out to her friends and family for further aid.

A sudden chill brought her back to the current situation, and Ana slowly realized that she was being offered a gift. It was with some hesitation that she took the silver chain into her hands, as she was still wary of him. He hefted her up shortly after, his coolness coming to her attention once more. It was odd, she thought, but then again this was New York in winter time. She was probably just as chilled to the bone, adrenaline being the only numbing agent to her pain. It mattered little, however, as this stranger seemed to have made up his mind to let her go.

"Thank you," she whispered. In no time at all she had made her way to her bag and gathered all of her items. Her heart was still pounding from the fright he had induced, and she was not about to wear out her welcome any longer. It was just as she was about to leave the premises that she saw a beast break through the door, moonlight trailing in behind it. This time, her response had been automatic. She screamed.

Anabelle had never seen such a thing in her life, holding such wildness in its eyes. It looked as though it could devour a cow whole, as large as it was. There was nothing that could compare, other than what she had seen in horror movies. Though she had been scared before, she was absolutely a quivering mess now. To run would only provoke it, but standing there wasn't going to help her situation either. It seemed there would never be an end to this hellish nightmare.

[Edmond]

The warmth from her shoulder felt as if his hand was going to burn. He wanted that blood to flow through him. Her blood. He retracted his cold hand away from her hesitantly and it shook until it finally rested at his side. The voice in his barmy mind seemed to scream at him in disgust. Kill her!!! Let that wench’s soul rot! But before he could calculate whether his decision was the best one to take someone or something was coming.

She scurried away from him unaware of the creature that lingered outside and he took no heed in her movement. Only her feet shuffling upon the wooden floor and the small sounds of materials being thrust into her backpack could be made out as he tried to figure out what could be tarrying behind the feeble walls that surrounded them. His head cocked to the side in earnest to hear the trespasser. Something smelt foul to him like a flea bitten wet and wild dog but much worse.

Deep in his throat a rattling from his voice box rumbled in what sounded like a low hoarse growl. Raising his pallid upper lip to reveal white teeth with two very sharp canines he wrinkled his nose and furrowed his brows creating a contorted snarl. The two massive wooden doors blew towards him, small shards of wooden splinters raining down where he stood. The woman’s loud scream seemed to crescendo and echo in the small church. It also seemed to echo into his ears nearly to the point of pain. He bent his knees in a crouch ready to pounce at any given movement as the massive beast padded into the entrance.

His eyes locked with the monster before him. Never in his life had he seen something like this. But a sixth sense told him to beware. There was some kind of ancient war between the two creatures. And he was starting to understand that this was not some kind of social call where the wolf asked the pig for a cup of sugar. This thing was meaning to blow the whole house down. There was a raunchy odor of rotten flesh polluting out from the beasts muzzle. The vulgar pungent breath made him revolt it even more. Did a vampire have to find ways to mark his own territory around here or what? He thought due to both interruptions. All he wanted was a nice vegetative night where he would look around and get acquainted with his new corridors before the nights end. But no! First this woman and now this. He looked towards the human standing off towards his right. He’d forgotten all about her. Damn beast and interruptions. He tore his gaze from the horror stricken face of the mortal to look back towards the beast. Damn----Werewolf. The word instantly fused into his mind like a brand pressing against the flesh behind his eyelids.

Whistle at the mongrel and see if he wants to play fetch. The voice in his mind interjected. Toss the little mutt a bone. She’ll due justly. His fingers twitched and focused on the woman in his peripheral vision keeping a close alertness of her actions along with his full focus on the creature before him. “I am curious dog would anything happen to us if we bite one another.” A corner of his lip curled into a sneer, “Perhaps nothing will happen at all… Except having us both be really pissed off.”

[Ethan Warren]

Ethan should have expected the fear within his beloved's eyes. He had never actually told her why he had to go out in the middle of the night, only that he would be "moon-lighting", inferring to her that he'd been working late at the office, not out hunting other humans to satisfy one of his primal urges. The look she gave him however, the glance of fear and revoltion... it still hurt. There were more pressing matters at hand though, such as the vampire no doubt drooling over his latest catch. Lowering his head, fur bristly as he circled the vampire, he bared his fangs and returned the undead's growl.

The werewolf's tongue flicked out, licking his own canines and upper lip in a show of aggression. He would not allow this spawn of Lucifer himself to take the one thing that he would be willing to give his life. Ethan almost laughed at the vampire, the question giving away his young age in the blood. Still, he needed to keep his guard up, make sure that he didn't make any pitiful mistakes that would get him bitten by this empty shell of a man. Plodding across the floor, claws clicking on the floor of the abandoned place of worship, Ethan wedged himself between the girl and the vampire.

A swipe of his claw caught one of the nearby pews, tearing off it's legs and filled the space between him and the vampire with splinters of wood and the moldy dust lingering on the rotting furniture. It was all a show now, merely a threat, but if the vampire decided he wanted to be brave and venture closer to his female... Ethan gnashed his teeth in another bark, saliva foaming around his lips and mingling with the dust he had stirred up moments before.

(O.O.C.: Excuse the suckiness of the post, please. Posting this 3 hours after I should have been in bed.)

[Anabelle Luminati]

The world spun around her, threatening to send her into depths of pure black. All of this was just too much. Before she could even get her thoughts together, she had gazed upon one more strange thing. This man… he was standing against the beast, as though he had a chance of living against something that monstrous. He was even snarling. Her head felt light, and before she knew it her knees had collapsed.

Ana took deep breaths, her head leaning back against one of the pews. A tingle of fear ran down her spine, extending through all of her limbs. She was still shaking, a feeling of desperation beginning to settle in as her mind was sent reeling. There had to be something she could do to get out of this situation. All she needed to do was get out of that door and run for the nearest subway.

A trembling hand grasped the wooden pew, her head peeking at the scene before her. They seemed to only be interested in one another, which was perfect for her escape. If only they weren’t so close. The young brunette bit her bottom lip as she turned her gaze to the floor, using the moonlight to seek out anything she could use. There was nothing but rubble - shingles that had fallen through the roof, debris from the decaying building, a rock that had been thrown through a window before they had been boarded up. A rock…

Her grasp upon the object was firm as she heard the pew next to her being ripped to pieces. Instantly, she cringed, her body moving into the shadows as she calculated how long it would take for her to sprint for the door. She didn’t think about it for long, her arm rearing back to throw the rock across the building. A thud sounded.

Ana didn’t wait to see if the distraction had worked. Her eyes only focused on the moonlight streaming through the hole where a door should have been. Within seconds she was on her feet and bolting for the exit.