Chapter 3: Hands

The heavy buckle hit the fur carpet with a dull clink, as his massive frame took another step closer. Suddenly he spoke in a deep guttural voice, “Vathhayturfu.” Alex curled into a ball in the far corner of the bed as he continued, ”Vathvarstuagerrasunanorther.” Whatever language this was, Alex had never heard it before. She curled tighter, shaking in terror. “Hmmmm” the man grunted, seeming disappointed.

For a moment that seemed to go on forever, he stood motionless, watching her. The scent of him drifted across the room to her, and she could smell sweat, stone, and whiskey. She pulled more of the luxurious sheets up to her face, as if the thin fabric would somehow protect her from the behemoth at the foot of the bed. Instead, the twisted fabric glided across her body, revealing the pale white skin of her legs.

His fingers twitched, taking in a breath before letting it out slowly with a hungry growl so low, that she felt, more than heard it. With slow deliberate motions, he sank down moving over the footboard of the bed towards her. The light of the fire danced across shifting muscles, as he settled onto all fours. Alex tried to move away, but her back was already against the headboard. He inched closer to her, his face completely hidden in darkness.

A hand moved silently towards her, but before he could reach her, she recoiled, sliding onto the floor. The hand closed around a crumple of satin sheets, as Alex scrambled back across the floor. He looked down at her, turning his head just enough to reveal his dark hair and angular jaw. In the flickering firelight, she could see one dark eye staring intently at her. He stepped off the bed into the shadow of the stairs, and all Alex could make out was his towering silhouette. She crawled backwards away from him, away from the bed, until the chain pulled tight against her wrist. He crouched down, extending the hand towards her again.

This time she had nowhere to go, one massive hand closed around her right ankle. Panic set in and Alex started kicking wildly to free herself. She could barely move the leg that he had a hold of, while the other leg blindly flailed in the darkness. A second hand caught the free leg just above the knee, stopping it mid-kick. She screamed, writhing in his grip.

Her legs twisted in his rough hands as he shifted them under one arm. His left hand, now liberated, crept up her thigh. She struggled as hard as she could to pull free, but his iron grip only tightened. She was still weak after her desperate flight from the undead, and was no match for such a creature. The hand reached her hips, and fingers curled under the waistline of her underwear, the calloused tips of his felt as hard as stone against her skin.

He pulled down; she screamed again and clenched her legs together. Despite all his strength, he could barely maneuver them one handed. With a grunt, he released her legs, and moved forward, grabbing the underwear in both hands. He pulled and the sound of ripping fabric cut through he screams.

Now doubly blind from the tears streaming down her face, Alex swiped at him, his body now within the reach of her free hand. Her clawed hand made contact with his chest, and her nails cut fiercely into his skin. He let out a cry and took a step back, the light hitting his back and shoulders.

He blew an arrogant chuckle out his nose, and touched his chest, seeing she had drawn blood. She could see no face, but knew he was staring right at her. He cocked his head to one side, and rubbed the tattered remains of her underwear against his face with a satisfied moan. Alex reached for the corner of the sheet, pulling it towards her as he retreated to the leather booth. She pulled the sheet tight around her as he sobbed herself back to sleep.

The man poured himself another drink.