Welcome again to YAFF Muse: blog rounds. The ladies of YA Fiction Fanatics have come together for YAFF Muse. To have a little fun, explore different styles of writing and to give you some kick-butt shorts to read.
Without further delay, this weeks YAFF Muse pic was provided by YAFF Member: Cambria. Don’t forget to check out the other ladies stories, I’ve linked their sites at the end the post. Enjoy!
Around the Streetmarket by: Plamen Stoev
Hiding in the shadows, I watched my cousin, Isobel, running through the marketplace. Her bare feet splashing in the puddles and rain clinging to her dark ponytail.
Bile seared my throat as she turned to smile at Marcos, who followed close behind. Their sick game already drew onlookers to the doorways of the shops that surrounded the market.
I closed my eyes, gripping the dagger to my chest. God, was it just last night that I witnessed the horror? Images of blood and rocks and death filled my head. My eyes snapped open as I gulped in a lungful of air.
“Stay calm, Molly,” I whispered, wiping the rain from my face. Up ahead, I heard Isobel screech as Marcos grew closer. All a part of the plan.
They’d lure some innocent person after them. A guy, hell bent on defending Isobel’s honor. And then he’d die for her. Just like the three men I’d watched the night before. Isobel and Marcos would laugh, playing in the blood.
Ever since she’d returned from Romania, Isobel had been different. There were new friends, more dangerous parties. I didn’t know what happened over there, but she was a monster now. And she had to be stopped.
For weeks she’d begged me to go out with her and her friends. But I refused, until last night. If I hadn’t of shown up late then I wouldn’t have seen any of it.
Peeking around the corner, I noticed a woman with a purse rushing into the road in front of them.
“Keep going lady, don’t stop,” I said under my breath.
But Isobel poured it on. Even from here, I heard her pleading with the woman.
“Please, help. He’s after me.” Isobel grabbed her arm.
The woman’s eyes widened when she saw Marcos. Isobel released her and kept running into an alley. At first, I believed the stranger would let them go and mind her own business. Then she darted after Marcos swinging her purse.
With no other choice, I left my hiding place, praying I wasn’t too late. Water splashed onto my pant legs. My long blonde hair, whipped into my eyes as the winds picked up.
My grip tightened on the dagger and I burst into the alley to find it empty. Where the hell did they go? Shit. Hands trembling, I made way toward the dumpster at the end. On the ground, I noticed blood washing away like a crimson river.
From above, came the sound of laughter and I glanced up to find Marcos kissing Isobel. I needed to get out of there. Without the element of surprise, they’d kill me too.
I spun around, racing back toward the market place.
“Molly, where are you going? Don’t you want to play with us?” Isobel called. She leapt from the rooftops, landing on the road behind me.
Gloom settled in, the once lit storefronts were closed, the lights turned out. Like the owners knew what was to come. Fear pulsed in my veins. What had I gotten myself into?
“Please, help me!” I screeched, pounding on a café door. Then I saw it, a lone pizzeria with its light on. With demons on my heels, I barged in, slamming the door shut behind me. A dark haired guy came from behind the counter, golden eyes meeting mine.
“Are you okay?” he asked drying his hands on a towel.
“We’ve got to lock the door,” I cried. “Please, they’ll kill us.”
“Nonsense, Molly. You’re perfectly safe here.” He smiled.
“What did you say?”
“I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Molly.”
Oh God, he looked familiar. Then I remembered. I’d seen him in Isobel’s photographs from Romania.
Before I could go anywhere, he was beside me, barring the door. “When your cousin showed me your picture, I knew you were the one.” His fingers traced my cheek. “Don’t be scared, I’ll make this as painless as possible.”
His lips brushed mine then I heard a growl and the ripping and tearing of flesh. The last thing I saw was his wolf snout before pain overwhelmed me.
THE END!
Make sure to check out these other fab stories from the gals at YAFF!!