An Unfinished Beginning

  After the ceremony, I left as quickly as I could. My brother called after me, no doubt wondering why I didn’t even say goodbye. I ignored his pleas and told myself I’d come up with something to tell him later. My hunger was too strong for me to stay. If I had been in that room for one more second, I’m sure a lot of the people would have died. 

I pulled my phone out of my purse as I reached my car and dialed my boyfriend’s number. The phone rang in my ear while I climbed into my car and turned the ignition on. I tapped my foot against the floor and waited for Tobias to pick up. When I got his voicemail, I slammed my hands against the steering wheel and cursed loudly. Anger washed over me like a wave. I let out an agonizing cry as a stab of hunger simultaneously hit my stomach. I have to go. I can’t wait for Joe, I thought. Putting my car in gear, I pulled onto a small dirt road. 

An hour later I was lost. Badly lost. It was perfect for my goal, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to get home. With a small sigh, I pulled my duffel bag off of the back seat. I stripped my dress off and replaced it with a baggy t-shirt and jeans. Slipping my heels back on, I stepped out fo my car and headed to the nearest house. I had to be careful or I’d get caught, but my hunger took over my brain. Instead of looking for cameras or anything that could catch me, I just walked to the front door of a small house. I don’t know if it could be considered a house because it was more of a shack. 

Regardless, I knocked on the door.  A small girl, about my age from the looks of it, answered. Using a voice that often fooled people, I told her that I was lost and I didn’t know what to do. I was hoping she couldn’t see the fire in my eyes as she hesitated. She finally opened the door and offered me some coffee. I looked around as I sat on an old couch. 

“Where are you headed?” she asked. She spread a map out over the small coffee table.

“I was supposed to go to Jontin, but my GPS failed on me. My boyfriend and I were going to meet up with some of his friends but I don’t think that’s going to happen. It doesn’t help that I have no service.” I glanced at her from the corner of my eye and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. She seemed like a perfectly normal girl in a really dumpy house.