(Page 1 of 2) Moonlight Curves by Rob Garbin
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SUMMARY: This story is for the August Flash Fiction Contest. Jeff clung to the deeper shadows of the small bedroom, his body quivering with the need of his addiction while cold sweat trickled down his spine. He had lasted almost two weeks this time. Jeff did not want to be here, but he could hold out no longer. With red-rimmed eyes, he stared nervously at the young female sleeping in the bed across from him. His breath caught as she stirred.
God, how many homes had he broken into to feed his growing addiction? The count was lost in a haze of bingeing. His watery eyes shifted to the moonlight window where a soft breeze rippled the curtains and lifted the section of screen he had cut through to gain entry. Jeff's hands shook badly; he desperately wanted to be elsewhere. For years, he had prayed to God for a miracle. Each failure had driven him further into depression and self-loathing even as his physical suffering eased. The tension in the room seemed palpable causing Jeff's cracked lips to part slightly when his breathing increased. He did not want to do this.
Shifting his eyes left, he saw on top of the dresser, next to a small jewelry box, an open leather purse. Jeff's hands were damp with sweat. He wondered who she was, his unlucky victim. Could she forgive him when he could not forgive himself? Silently he moved out of the deep shadows to the grey moonlight area between the bed and dresser, keeping his eyes on the occupant of the bed. Every fold of the sheet, strand of light toned hair, and exhalation of breath etched upon his mind. She was beautiful. That realization sent cold fire racing through every nerve of his body. The delicate curves of her face were luminescent in the cold radiance of the moon pouring through the window. A willowy arm lay draped upon the cover, the fingers of the hand curled gracefully. Jeff almost swooned. Unfortunately, his body forcefully reminded him of why he was here.
When the cramps had subsided, he turned and looked at the dresser. Through the mirror, above the chipped and scarred dresser, he saw the woman turn away from him exposing her shoulder and the exquisite arch of here neck. He shook. Jeff quietly inched his way to the bed under the spell of her beauty, no longer in control of his limbs. When he bent over the sleeping figure the scent of vanilla filled his nostrils. His hand gently moved her silky hair further away from her neck.
In an instant, he plunged his razor sharp fangs deep into her carotid artery drinking greedily of the life force dwelling within. Ecstasy blinded him to all else. He did not feel the delicate arms wrap around pulling him into their embrace, but vague stirrings of confusion crept into his mind. Cold fire numbed his lips and tongue then spread down his throat. Jeff jerked like a fish catch at the end of a rod. The woman held him lovingly but firmly as his body trembled uncontrollably and silver light burst through the thin membrane of his skin. Clean white flames consumed Jeff's clothing. The radiance dimmed as his skin turned to ash around the core of his soul until with a last powerful shudder he broke free.
The light from Jeff's soul transformed the room.
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