Branded By The Devil's Cruel Kiss

lightning tore throu

cramped, single bed in the Brooklyn

hot up from

invisible hands were crushing her lungs. Cold sweat dr

ent tremors started in her fingertips and radiated all the way to her core. The thunder cracked seconds lat

oden nightstand,

cut through the silence of the roo

ared at the glowing screen, her hand hovering over i

cold fingers

as from Davin Schm

presence at the Long Isl

pupils constrict. Her heart skipped a beat, th

rough her nose. She swallowed hard, forcing down

anket. Her bare feet hit t

ed faucet. Freezing tap water poured out. She cupped her hands, co

or. Her face was entirely devoid

wn until the sharp, metallic taste of blood flo

d out a faded grey sweater and a pair of worn-out den

brella and her keys fr

door of her apartment and stepped in

rwell. Her short, heeled boots hit the

ttom of the building. A violent gust of wind,

he flooded streets of Brooklyn. The rain was torren

dn't stop. They splashed freezing, filthy puddle water all over her legs.

alt in front of her. Elie collapsed th

she told the driver. Her voice he

-streaked window. Soon, the city lights faded, replaced by the dar

y in front of massive, b

can't go in," the driver

he door open and stepped back out into

ressed the cold metal button. A heavy, mechanical grinding sound

ows of the ancient trees twisted and stretched in the ligh

a yellow raincoat stepped out

her path

a pair of large, heavy pruning shears in his thick

vy step forward,

loud over the storm. "You shameless parasite. You monst

le of her umbrella so tightly h

step back. She kept her

in the eyes. Her gaze was completely empty. It was

aid. Her voice was flat, c

eyes shocked him for a fraction of a second

him again. She walke

k doors of the main house, where the c