Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32116 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32116 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 107(@300wpm)
I placed one hand against the yellow machine and gave a mighty push. It slid across the grass, coming to rest at the far end of the cemetery - the direction I heard it approach from. I then quickly kicked the displaced dirt, which fell into the hole once more. It didn’t fill completely or perfectly, but it wouldn’t raise suspicion. It would have to do.
Now that all signs of our presence were gone, it was time to devote my attention and energy to Skyler. I needed to get him away from this dark place, to somewhere he could rest and recover peacefully.
I carried him through the graveyard, which looked very different from the last time I saw it. The area used to only hold a couple dozen graves, but now markers abounded. It was a sad truth of passing time.
We soon reached a tall gate that guarded the entrance, which was locked from the outside. I could have squeezed the lock, and crumbled it with only two fingers, but I did not want to make my escape obvious. So, I held tightly to Skyler and bounded over the tall gate in one leap.
I had always been blessed with a good sense of direction, so even though it had been an extended time since I visited, I knew the way to town. I walked briskly, but did not use my full speed. Skyler’s body was already under enough stress, and I didn't want to add to it.
I easily found the city, but I was not prepared for what I saw. The last time I visited, the area was just being developed. Buildings were being constructed, but not in the size or number I now saw before me. During my centuries-long life, I'd seen many changes and improvements to the land, but nothing like this.
Buildings stretched to the sky. Though it was a dark night, the streets were illuminated; not by flames, but by steady electrical fixtures. The last time I was above ground, electricity was in its infancy, but was now apparently booming.
Humans no longer roamed the streets on horseback. Now they passed by in metal beasts at incredible speeds. The sheer number of people I saw made me dizzy. It was no wonder the buildings had to get bigger to accommodate the growing population.
I looked around at the plethora of illuminated signs and busy streets for anything familiar. A sliver of peace found my heart when my eyes landed on The Walton Hotel. It was much larger than the last time I'd seen it, but I knew The Walton. I had spent a few nights there in the past.
Granted, those visits weren't of pure intention. I'd taken company for the night to soothe the desires of my flesh. I never wanted to take a man into my home, as romantic intentions were never involved. The meetings were strictly physical, and then we parted ways. Though I wasn't proud of those nights, they were buried in my past. My present and future was cradled in my arms.
I knew the hotel would be safe for us. I couldn't say the same for my home…if it even still stood. We would stay here for the night to allow Skyler to recuperate, and then we would make a plan.
I hustled across the street towards the hotel when my sensitive eyes were nearly blinded by bright lights. A metal beast was quickly approaching, and did not stop as I expected. I hugged Skyler tighter and a deafening crunch sounded as the metal rammed into me. The bones in my legs shattered, but mended just as quickly; I was healed before I could even hit the ground. I made sure to keep my mate shielded from the strike. In the end, we were both unscathed.
A young man stepped out of the machine, looking frantic with wide, worried eyes. “Dude, are you okay? Is he okay?” The man reached out towards Skyler, and my protective instincts took over. I wanted no man's hand on my beloved. My lips curled, baring my fangs as I hissed a warning at the man. My mind told me I shouldn’t have risked my identity, but my body reacted on its own.
The warning worked; the man raised his hands in the air and took a step back. “Nope. Fuck all of this; I'm telling my insurance company I hit a deer.” He climbed back into the machine and left quickly.
I finished crossing the street without incident, as all other drivers waited for me to pass, watching me with the same bewildered expression as the previous man. When I reached the hotel entrance, the doorman opened the front door for us, making sure to keep a wide berth between him and the beauty in my arms. I nodded my head in appreciation as I entered the building.