Chapter One

Pleasant evening turns to horror... She couldn't hear the screams and cries over her own, as the help they so desired arrived... late

Dirty Blood
Chapter One

Dozens and dozens of voices blanketed the warm air in the crowded food court. Some had come to get away from the teeming shops, have a relaxing sit and maybe grab a bite, and others gleefully conversed about all the goodies they bought over a steamy latte. Salem Jones was a million miles away as she stared down at her half eaten corndog, snapping out of it when she noticed a hand reach over to her tray and grab a fry, giving it a dip in ketchup before it wandered away.

"So you gonna show me my present?" she heard him ask.

She looked up and cracked a "you'd like that" smile in his direction, as she reached down to grab the bags. Her friend, Jack Thompson, slid the tray in his direction as Salem brought up the bushel of various plastic bags. It was nice of him, but she was partly sure that he just wanted more french fries.
They were in the midst of the busy holiday shopping season, but she didn't mind going through the crowds, made easier since Jack was with her. She was the timid one that would sqeek, he was the demanding one who'd holler, and that was just fine by her (even though the dirty looks would burn a hole into both of their heads). She just liked being out, in the cool wintry wonderland, with him.

"AND my gift?" he asked slyly, giving her a grin as he took a sip from her drink.
"Pfft, now why would I go and show you that? Your charm will get you nowhere" she giggled, not noticing his cheeks erupt in slight blush.

She shoved gifts back into the bags, Jack finishing off the remainder of her meal and drink, she was thankful it was not wasted.

"So you really have to go so soon? If you stick around, I could help you with your bags" he told her, sucking down the last of the soda.
"No, it's cool, it's just a quick walk to the bus stop... I might look silly with piles of bags, but I'll be fine" she answered, smiling.
"Well, don't talk to any strangers, missy" he told her in a fatherly type tone, and she shook her head at him.
"Oh, I won't poppa" she answered as cherubic as possible, standing up from her seat "... anyway, see you tomorrow!".

She was soon shuffling through the crowds, muttering inaudible forgiveness every time she bumped a shoulder or bag, and thankfully she was out of the bursting shopping mall in minutes. Maybe Jack had to stay and get her gift? Though knowing him he probably just wanted to screw around at the arcade or comic book shop...

She took a nice deep breath of cold air, still shocked that the weather had dropped so low this year!
Such a big surprise to residents of South Shore, California, usually sizzling even into October. But Salem loved the cold weather, relishing her surroundings as she admired the towering black skylines dotted with warm golden life, even if the city felt a little dead. Despite what the Shopping Mall exhibited, the sidewalks were near barren as she got farther from the bustle and a few stragglers were only out and about, probably a good thing. She's been hearing reports on the news about some rabid dog that's been running around the city, but she didn't want to scare herself and think about it too much.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the sound of running behind her growing louder and louder, she turned quickly to see what the source was, fearing the worst as her mind spiraled. But her entire body mellowed in relief. Stopping short of her a couple of feet was a doubled over Jack, trying to catch his breath, a hand out.

"Jack? I thought you were staying at the mall?"
She asked, smiling as she started towards him.

But she felt a violent push from behind and her body fell forward, confusion and shock erupting in her. Salem barely made a sound as she tried to wrestle away, but whoever pushed her down was getting heavier on her body. She felt a swipe at her back, her coat ripping loudly, she started to scream in shock.
Her eyes were on Jack, who'd whipped straight up with a look of alarm at her screams, he was soon screaming help himself, as loudly as he possibly could. Salem threw her hands over her head as the attacker swiped again, and this time she felt great pain as she started to scream more.

Jack threw his bags down and launched forward, trying to get the attention of the attacker, it swiped in his direction. Salem took the chance to crawl away, successfully getting her body from beneath the enemy, she positioned herself on her bottom so she could stand, just in time to witness the assailant knock out Jack with an enormous fist.
The enemy was a mammoth , she could barely make out the features because her mind and eyes were too busy darting from the attacker to a (hopefully) unconscious Jack and back again. In a quick motion the adversary lunged forward, Salem screaming out of fear as it landed on top of her and pinned her body to the ground. Baring it's convoluted mouth of fangs, it darted for her neck, and she felt a remarkable explosion of pain. Her eyes grew wide with tears and she started to scream and cry, trying to push the damned thing off of her body with no luck. She couldn't hear the screams and cries over her own, as the help they so desired arrived... late.