The Dark Places

time,” he said without thinking.
Surin looked into his eyes and for a minute was overwhelmed. The trust and respect she had developed for this man in the last few months had shocked even her. It was not in her nature to spill personal information like she just had, but with Parker, she felt compelled to share. She wanted him to know how she felt and who she was, and more importantly, she wanted to know him.
They both finished their meals in a comfortable silence and Parker settled the bill as promised.
“Let’s go and get this interview over and done with,” Surin said as she walked out of Miguel’s and into the sunshine, pushing her sunglasses down over her eyes. “Then I need a hot shower and a long sleep,” she added. “I was rudely awoken this morning if I recall correctly.”
Parker laughed, and they drove off towards the station.

14
Lucy was pretty sure she was falling for him. God, already, she thought. It’s only been a month. They hadn’t even been intimate yet, which was at his insistence. Goodness knows she had been frustrated at the number of times he had pulled away, but as he explained, he had old-fashioned values, and she was trying hard to respect them. So other than a bit of casual hand-holding, one session of couch-cuddling and a few amazing kisses, they hardly knew each other. There was something so deliciously mysterious about him, and the way he looked at her so intensely, was like he exuded heat.
They had so much in common with each other that it was almost comical. Both vegetarian, both loved running, both worked in similar fields, same favourite band, same favourite movie. Lucy chuckled. It was like her dream guy had jumped off the pages of her blog and into reality. Shaking her head, she glanced once more at her appearance in the foggy bathroom mirror. She had decided that tonight was the night to take the next step. Wearing a tight-fitting royal-blue dress that hugged her curvy figure in all the right places, as well as a magical push-up bra that gave her modest bust line new life, she smiled and pushed a strand of long black hair behind her ear.
“Tonight’s the night,” she said out loud to herself. If all goes well, she thought, I can finally tell my parents and friends about him, they will be so excited. She glanced down at her watch and realised she was going to be late.
“Shit!” she cursed, grabbed her silver clutch and ran out as fast as her heels would carry her, slamming the door as she left. The elevator opened, and she quickly slid in. He had been extremely specific about when and where to meet him tonight, and she didn’t want to disappoint. Butterflies started to flicker in her stomach as excitement and nerves began to surge through her body. He had promised her that tonight would be a night she would never forget, and she couldn’t wait for it to begin.


15
The days seemed to be getting longer, the nights darker and more intense. He looked at himself in the mirror, always fascinated at what he was able to create. How easy it was to transform, to blend in. A strong, handsome face stared back at him. His hair was just the right length to say professional but stylish. He smiled, and perfect white straight teeth appeared, complemented by dimples. His mind drifted back to the night before, and his reflection abruptly turned dark.
Last night had almost taken him to breaking point. He thought of the desperation in her face, in how she dressed. It almost disgusted him. It was, however, a necessary part of keeping up appearances, he told himself. A good-looking, smart man would have a girlfriend; questions were being asked. He’d had a couple of ladies in the past. He thought he could get by with vapid, showy women on his arm, but he soon discovered that when it came down to spending time alone with them, the urge to slice off their lips just to stop them from talking was too overwhelming.
Then he had seen Lucy. Cute, in a homely girl-next-door-way, shy but at least mildly intelligent. He had studied her from afar and read her whiney but predictable online blog, ensuring that she was the right fit for what he required, then he orchestrated the meet. Last night had been the consummation of their ‘relationship’. He had known it was inevitable, but that didn’t make it any less revolting. She had been hinting at it from as early as their second date, trying her hardest to look seductive in her simple clothes, sliding a hand up his thigh discreetly, lingering too long on a kiss. He knew he had to go all the way at some stage to keep her happy. So he had, and it had been fucking god-awful. His throat closed at the thought of it. The way she had gently stroked his face, wanting to make love and stare deeply into his eyes, it had almost been too much. He had glanced down to her neck at one stage, and it appeared to come to life, pulsing and begging him to wrap his large hands around it. Just the thought of her wide-eyed and struggling for air got him hard enough to get through. He had closed his eyes and pictured Emma, her beautiful, crystal-blue eyes brimming with fear and unspeakable pain. He started pounding harder and faster, forgetting Lucy and ignoring her pleas to slow down. When he came, he came for all his girls and of course for her, the only one that really mattered. She was never far out of his thoughts. His whole life had been building up to the moment he could be inside her, completely own her, and finally watch the life fade from her eyes.
Lucy had stayed the