The golden rays from the morning sun eclipsed the sky. Bringing light to a city unaware of how deep into the shadows it truly was. Reflections of this bright aura bounced between windows. A sharp line shooting down from a higher building across from the ancient home. Piercing through crimson curtain, into a room lined with massive bookcases. Against the one bare wall sat a queen-sized bed. Adorned with a large blanket matching the curtains with almost French renaissance inspired designs etched into them. Incased in the covers lay a small form unaware of the approaching morning. Sound asleep, Astrid showed little to no movement. Gentle rising and falling of the blanket around her chest. The activity of the previous night had stolen most if not all her energy. Her blond hair peaked over just the edge. Catching the light from the window, causing it to almost shine like gold. This unseen treasure gently being disturbed by nibble fingers brushing through them. The sleeping beauty stirring between the sheets. Her own fingers finding the edge to pull them down slowly. Light groaning sounding as sunlight finally met her eyes. Scanning the room slowly as her eyes adjusted. Landing on a blurring figure that slowly formed into Michael.
“Morning Mon Cher.” The male purred, brushing strands of hair from Astrids face. His smile seemingly sparkling from the same rays that had just assaulted her eyes. Eyes that had now shot open, sitting up just as quickly. Pressing her back against the head-bored, as her once gently moving chest moved at a million miles. Astrid hand over her heart gripping on the blanket. Looking franticly from Michael to the room around them.
“Michael? Where? Where am I?” slumping down the black leather of the headboard. Sitting down on the pillow that once helped rest her head. Without a word, the man leaned forward and reached out. Causing her to flinch, closing her eye quickly and tight. When nothing came, she reopened them. Inches from her face was a glass of water. Fresh condensation falling down it like morning dew on a blade of grass. Looking at the glass then back to Michael who gently moved the glass from side to side.
“Worry not Darling, for it is just water. I will explain everything in a bit but for now drink. Hydration is important after such a night as what we had.
“Do you mean we?” Michael’s head quickly shook from side to side. His full mane moving with it for it was not up in its normal ponytail. He then removed his glasses, pulling a cloth from his front breast pocket of his vest. Whipping away the nonexisting smudges from the optical equipment.
“Of course, not Astrid, for it was only the first date. I’m a man that likes a little bit more wining and dining. I simply am referring to the treating of our guest. You don’t need to worry about their whereabouts at this time. I made sure they made it back to where they belong.” His grin growing into a toothy menacing smile. Astrid galped in response, not out of fear of his words but yet excitement for them. A small smile now being worn on her own face. It couldn’t help, much to Astrid dismay. Last night had awoken something inside her already unstable mind. The first kill was quick and not planned. Over before it had even really begun and could truly take shape. With Hallow though, they took their time proceeding with the deed. Savoring every cut, crush, and stab. Letting the rush and metaphorical high linger as they craved the bitch like a turkey.
“Wait if we didn’t.... you know. Then why am I in this bed? And how did I get here?” The questions flooded her head. Trying to remember what could have happened, that kept her from going home. Looking to the male in the room, which he then looked back. He could already see the gears in her mind trying to spin together. Seemingly to have something jamming up the thought process all together.
“It is simple my dear~. You see once dear Hallow had taken her final breath on earth. It's all hit you harder than when I miss a deadline for a page to my publicist.” The analogy being lost on the book worm. Yes, Astrid owned a bookstore and loved reading. But she wasn’t as familiar with the writing of the stories she loved so much. Michael sighed patting her head with a sympathetic smirk. “You got a head-rush of serotonin and passed out from the... well lack of better terms.” Placing his hand down on the edge of the bed, leaning in closely. Astrids eyes moving between his eyes and lips. “Pleasure~.” Her heart now beating out of her chest. The foot between them became inches, then centimeters. Unfortunately for the two edger adults. Their meeting of lips was interrupted by a ringing coming from Michael’s pocket. Reaching in the slack’s pockets, a pink phone was retrieved. Looking at the screen for a split second then to her. “Hold that pleasant idea just for a moment Mon Cher.” Standing up from the bed and pressing his thumb against the phone. Holding the device up to his ear, then just standing there without a word. Slight muffled sounds came from his direction. Astrid watched in confusion by him answering his phone to just not saying anything. Then in a burst of an energetic tone he finally spoke. “Ahh Miss Nikki! My apologies sincerely, it's Michael... Michael Maplewood. Miss Astrid is still sleeping. You See her and I had a wonderful dinner last night. And someone~ doesn’t know when to slow down with the wine~”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Nikki? Why would she have Michael’s?...” The gears in her mind which had just been stuck now spun out of control. Practically rocketing up from the bed, she throw blankets around. Looking under the bed, then to the nightstand beside her. Finally snapping her head to Michael. Now wearing a devilish smirk, seeing that Astrid now had put two and two together. Storming over to him, hand stretched out. “Michael give me my phone now.” She demanded through clutched teeth. When he just shook his head, sticking out his tongue. The blond face turned red in frustration. Try and fail to grab the phone from his hand. Which he just held up high above his head. Standing on her tippy toes and gripping onto his shirt. Astrid jumped up and down in an attempt to get higher. All which just was met with more failure on her part. With one more try, she bent her knees down. Springing up as her feet left the floor. Seizing the opening before him, the taller one of them both wrapped his arm around her waist. Holding her in place, being met with struggling from the shorter. “Damn it, let me down you dick!” Still in a hushed toned so not to blow out Nikki’s ears on the other end of the phone. Astrid’s command falling on deft ears. Causing more thrashing and pushing trying to get him to let go. Eventually throwing him off balance, as they fell to the bed. Astrid laid on top giving Michael a look that read. You did that on purpose didn’t you? He just shrugged and smiled, Moving the phone between their faces. Quickly grabbing the phone sitting up, and finally answering her employee on the line. “Hello Nikki? Its Astrid sorry about that!” The two women went back and forth a few times. Michael catching Astrid slip up of calling last night a date.
“Oh, I thought last night wasn’t a date Mon Cher? ~” His comment being met with being told to shut up. After a few more responses, the two bid their farewells. As she hung up, Astrids balled up fist began hitting the male’s chest.
“You ass! Why did you have my phone? And what was the bullshit with the game of keep away?” Getting tired at the would-be attempt to beat him up. Michael grabbing onto her wrist. He sat up staring directly into the blues of her eyes. Now setting in that She was in his lap, and once again so so close to his lips.
“Have to get a good workout in the morning to get the blood pumping~.” A deep red taking over her face, pulling her arms away in a jerking motion. Michael released them as she did, causing the blond to fall back. His arms wrapped around the back of her waist. He then brought her over to bed. Hovering over Astrid, his leg resting between her own. The burnet's arms being the only thing keeping him from fully being pressed against the other’s small frame. They stayed like this for a few silent moments. Michael suddenly stood back, offering a hand to help Astrid up. Being swat away as she didn’t need his help. The psychopath had done enough, and she just wanted to get home to Mr. Whiskers.
“Enough of this shit. Im done looking at the stupid face of yours for a lifetime.” Gathering up the belongings that sat on a chair by the door. Lucky for Astrid, the creep didn’t feel it necessary to undress her for bed the night before. With her purse over her shoulder and shoes on her feet, Astrid was downstairs and out the door. Michael leaned against the door frame, waving goodbye. With huff She was off down the street. Grumbling and mumbling as folks passed by. Some going about their days, while others whispered and joked to themselves. The phrase “walk of shame” being throwing around more than once. All becoming too much for her as Astrid spun on her heels. “Could you lot talk any louder!?” Being brought out of her rage by her phone buzzing. Looking at the object that caused all the trouble this morning. Snarling at the message from the unknown number reading. “Let me know when you get home safely Mon Cher~” Typing out a response, before throwing the phone back in. Making the sender of said message phone buzz. Michael looked and just chuckled at the middle finger emoji sent back.
“Oh yeah, she's crazy about me.” Michael looked down the street. Smiling, then heading back into his home closing the door.