[KaA] - Chapter One: The Stranger

Someone’s watching me.

I couldn’t get it out of my head. I’d left the diner five minutes ago and couldn’t get rid of that thought. There were few people out this late and none of them were paying much attention to me, but I couldn’t shake that feeling.

I knew that taking this late shift was going to bother me. I hated being out late, especially by myself. It was too easy to get mugged in this town and being out during late hours only made it easier.

I kept walking, trying not to look too scared. Fear translated into easy prey. I knew that well. I tried to look casual while I clutched my purse and pulled out my phone. That feeling was getting worse and that really bothered me. Sure, I could get scared easily, but I didn’t stay scared. I was the girl that would face her fears all the time just to get rid of them. I don’t like being enslaved to anything, especially fear. If someone could keep you in fear they could control you. I learned that too.

I scanned my contacts looking for someone I could call. Emily. That one name made me smile. Emily was one of my best friends. She could talk for hours non-stop about random stuff. Sometimes it was really annoying but other times, like this one, it was a blessing. I dialed her number and pressed the phone to my ear. It rang, and rang, and rang. My frustration meter kept rising higher and higher until I reached her voicemail. Of course, the one moment I want to talk to Emily she won’t answer her phone, how ironic. I returned to my contact list and scrolled through it again. For someone who’s super social, you would think I’d have someone else I could call at one in the morning, but no, I have absolutely no one, perfect. I scowled at my phone and shoved it into my pocket.

“Whatever,” I mumbled, “I’m overreacting anyway.” The words were barely past my lips before I glanced up and saw someone staring at me. He was casually leaning against a car fifty feet in front of me with a smirk on his face. I hesitated. He was completely dressed in black with a coat that reminded me of Chuck Norris in the “Walker, Texas Ranger” theme song. His hair was also black, falling to his shoulders in small waves. But it was his eyes that sent chills racing through my body. His eyes were orange, like glow-in-the-dark orange. I stared and his smirk grew wider. I forced myself to think. I was on an empty street, no alleys, no stores to sneak into, and no houses with inhabitants I knew. This was bad, really bad. I contemplated turning around, taking a different road to get home. The only problem was that my house was about two hundred feet past him and he might be here when I came back.

The guy shifted, positioning his whole body towards me, “Lost, little one?”

It must be his eyes messing with my head because there is no way he just purred. I swear I heard him purr.

“Uh, no thank you,” I replied. If I went back and tried to come up another street It would cost me ten more minutes, not even mentioning that he might still be here when I come back around. Well, this was a difficult decision. Either I spend another ten minutes walking up to another street and coming back around or I walk past the two-legged cat with the cloak and hope he doesn’t try to approach me. Typical scenario.

Mr. Cloaked Man-Cat chuckled and raised an eye, “You look lost.”

I looked at him, “I think I’m on the wrong road.” I murmured before turning around. I had this sudden urge to stop and just walk past him instead, but I ignored it and continued. I reached the next street and turned left not bothering to look behind me.

It actually took me closer to fifteen minutes to reach my street again. I kept my eye out for the Man-Cat but to my relief, he was gone. I was safe. Or so I thought. I still had that feeling of fear clinging to my skin. Ugh.

I lived in a small, two-story house that was a mix of contemporary and oriental. I loved it. It was small and yet spacious with plants decorating the outside and inside. I really liked nature and my home reflected that. I unlocked the door, stepped in, and bolted it back before quickly disarming my security system. I sighed, home sweet home. I allowed myself to breathe and believe I was safe. All I wanted was to take a quick shower and collapse in bed. I walked into my living room and froze. Standing in my living room staring at my bookshelf was him. I gasped and nearly screamed. This couldn’t be real. I’m seeing things. I blinked rapidly but he didn’t disappear. The cloaked cat-man was standing in my living room!

He chuckled and glanced up at me “You know something Kitten, you’re turning out to be very interesting.”

I couldn’t move. “How did you get into my house?” I whispered.

He slowly smiled at me, “I walked in.”

I couldn’t breathe. He had to be lying. There was no way he just walked into my house. All the doors were locked and my security system was not disarmed.

“That’s impossible.” I whispered.

He chuckled, “For you, yes.”

He kept looking at me with those eyes and that smirk. I trembled.

No, no, no. This can’t be happening! I gritted my teeth, “Get out.”

He blinked and looked surprised.

“You know where the door is, use it.” I gritted out, pointing to the door for emphasis.

He narrowed his eyes, “Are you sure about that?”

“Am I sure? Uh, yeah! You’re a complete stranger who broke into my house! What kind of a dumb question is that?!” I snapped back.

That irritating smirk returned to his face, “As I said, you’re interesting.” He replied, walking closer to me. “I only know of a few who can resist me like you and they’re either dead or smart enough to stay out of my way.”

Huh? I stiffened as he walked right up to me. There was no way I was moving. I stood my ground and stared him dead on. He was so close I could easily reach out and touch him. I had a sudden urge to do just that but I resisted. Definitely not, never happening.

He chuckled again, “I’m going to keep you.”

I blinked. What did he just say? I put on my own smirk, “You’re going to do what now?” I replied. Yup, he was crazy. “Do I look like a pet you can just pick up and take?”

He smiled.

Oh crap, he was serious. “Get out before I call the police.” I threatened.

“Go ahead and try.”

I did. I really tried to move, but it felt like I was frozen in place. My skin grew cold and my breath turned shallow. It was like I was turning into a frozen statue.

“You’re something Vixen, I’m gonna keep you for a long time.”

That was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.