Top of the Food Chain

If I told you the truth about me you’d back away, thinking I’m crazy. Why? Because people like me, we don’t exist, according to science and such.

But I am real. After all, I’m sitting right next to you at this bar. Go ahead, touch me.

See? I’m real.

The myths lie, you know. I don’t know where they come up with some of them, unless it’s just people’s need to control their fear and keep believing they’re at the top of the food chain.

You’re not. I don’t think you ever have been.

Oh, yeah? All it takes is the right situation to drive that point home. Lost at sea? Clinging to a bit of wreckage with a shark swimming a few feet away? Who’s at the top of the food chain then, I ask you?

The shark of course. Trust me on that.

What do I think I am? It’s not what I think – it’s what I am. You’ve no idea of the truth, and I’ve no idea whether I could trust you enough to tell it.

I can trust you? Sure I can.

Yeah, I could use another drink. Thanks.

I’m sure there’s more like me, but I haven’t found them yet. It’s lonely, being different.

How lonely? Imagine being the only one on a deserted island. Forever.

No, I’m perfectly aware we’re sitting in a crowded bar. All the noise is giving me a headache.

What? Sure, I suppose somewhere quieter would be nice, especially if I decide to tell you what I am. The real question here is: Are you sure you can trust me?

You laugh, because you’re a big, strapping man. That’s all right. I know your only plan for the night is getting laid.

Bluntness saves time. I’m not against the idea; you’re a good-looking guy.

All right, let’s go.

 Nice place. It’s cleaner than I expected from a guy your age living alone. You’re what, twenty-five?

Yeah, I’m good at guessing people’s ages. It’s a gift.

No need for fake affection, not with me. We can just strip and fuck. That’s fine.

If you’re any good, I’ll tell you what I am afterwards.

Oh, I think I’d give you a nine out of ten. You’re enthusiastic, aren’t you?

 Yeah, I did, and I will tell you. Well, I’ll show you.

 Shh…don’t scream, it hurts my ears. I told you I wasn’t crazy.

 Don’t do that.

 You’re a liar just like the rest. You said I could trust you, remember?

 I know it’s different now that you realize I wasn’t lying about humans not being the top of the food chain, huh?

 Bet you feel pretty alone right this minute.

 You know, maybe I misjudged you. Maybe you’re a ten after all. You certainly worked up my appetite.

 Don’t worry.

 I’ll make it fast. 

A collection of flash and short fiction based on the life of Constance Harkfell, Librarian and vampire hunter.

Available at Smashwords in DRM free formats for several electronic readers, including the Kindle, by clicking on the cover thumbnail.

Word count: 4, 765

Price: $ 1.50

Excerpt from ‘Promise Keepers’:

My trench coat rustles with each step as I walk the darkened street. Each one flashes bare leg from the tops of my knee high, patent leather boots to the hem of the short vinyl skirt. My scalp itches under the black wig I wear, and I’m scanning the shadows from behind a mask of thick make up and dark shades.

Just another lady of the night looking for a customer.

Twenty feet ahead of me, a shadow detaches itself from a pool of darkness. There’s the faint animal shine of eyes as he looks in my direction. When I’m closer, he asks, “Are you lonesome tonight?”

“Maybe.”

“How much?” Like all of them, he needs to touch, raising a hand to let one fingertip trace the line of my jaw as I stop in front of him.

“Depends on what you want,” I reply, letting a coy smile curve my lips.

“You, a bed, a few hours,” he smiles back, blue eyes gleaming.

“Few hours, nothing kinky?” At his nod, I tell him, “Two hundred.”

“Done.” He’s drawn very close, smiling down at me.

Its working title is Dark Secrets. I’ve written roughly 7k on the first title since late Friday night.

There’s supernatural critters, secrets, dark obsessions, hot sexing and violence.

The playlist for it so far includes:

• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
• Fever
• Total Eclipse of the Heart
• Beautiful Stranger
• Shook Me All Night Long
• Self Control
• Human Nature
• Voices Carry
• Heat of the Moment
• I Said It
• Tiny Little Fractures
• Losing My Grip
• Killin’ Me
• God Complex
• The Killing Jar
• The Hand That Feeds
• Wreak Havoc

Stay tuned for an excerpt! I’m really excited about both it and the female lead!

About what goes on behind the scenes of my personal writing process, Secret Guardians will give you a pretty good idea.

I have most of the first chapter up, a couple of Bits & Pieces, some Stray Thoughts and have answered my first question from a visitor on there.

There’s another post and a Bit scheduled for posting tomorrow.

Secret Guardians is the home of a work in progress formerly known as Witch and Were (the first part of the first chapter is on here as well). It’s a contemporary fantasy about witches and shapeshifters, with all the behind the scenes brain workings and scribblings I do that flesh things out for the characters and their world.

Could be interesting, you never know. 

I’ve decided that Witch & Were is a good project for an online blog.

So, you can hop on over to Secret Guardians to keep up with it.