Captivated (An Affliction Novel) by Raven

soothing, so…alluring. I wanted to follow the sound of it just to be closer to it. Then I remembered. The only time I had ever felt drawn to a voice was with-
    “Shane?” I asked. “Is that you?”
    There was silence.
    “It is you, isn’t it?” I asked.
    I was no longer afraid. I was certain it was him. No one else I knew had a voice like that and he stayed quiet after I called out his name. Content that I knew who it was, I courageously walked over to the tree. I peeked over and sure enough, it was Shane. He was leaning his back against the tree with his thumbs hanging off his front pockets. He looked like a model, advertising designer jeans. And shirts. And shoes. Heck, he was the whole magazine in one page. He defined everything that could ever be perfect.
    Slowly, he turned his head towards me. His eye color looked a little red. Strands of silver hair were nicely arranged over his face. It looked like elegant strips of moonlight cascading down his beautifully gentle face. The tree he was leaning on wasn’t good enough to be touched by him.
    He tilted his head a little staring right at me.
    “Tsk tsk…now we can’t play the game.” he said with mock sadness through his perfect lips.
    “We could play another!” I blurted out. I just wanted to do whatever he wanted.
    “I don’t think you’ll want to play the other game.” he warned. Even his warning sounded inviting. I felt as if I didn’t care what it was that he had in mind.
    “Sure I will. What is it?” I asked.
    “It’s a game that is only played in the dark.” He looked down at my arms. I sucked my stomach in and tried to look my best as he examined me. “You’re bleeding.” he mentioned.
    “Yeah. My dog forgot I was at the other end of the leash.” I said. I knew I looked terrible. There was nothing attractive about a girl with grass stains and blood on her arms. I had to get home and wash up already! But I couldn’t pry myself away from Shane.
    “You’re bleeding…” he whispered out. His eyes were still on my arms, locked on them as if they were a target.
    “You mentioned that already,” I said. The dog continued growling. Actually, he had never stopped. “I have to go. I don’t want my dog to bite you or anything.” I warned.
    “He won’t come near me.” Shane assured me. “Besides…there are worse things that bite.” He stood up, away from the tree, and inched towards me. The dog got louder as Shane got closer. He stopped in front of me. Practically up against me. I was at ease and my body felt relaxed, almost as if I was floating. Shane gently reached out and grabbed my hand. Slowly, he raised it up to his nose and smelled my arm, gliding his hand over all of the cuts. It made my arm feel cool and the coolness calmed the stinging sensation. Then, Shane released my hand in a quick motion.
    “I should go now.” Shane stepped back and tilted his head. “Too bad, cuz I had special plans for you.” he quickly said and darted away.
    “What?”
    I snapped out of…something. Was it a trance? I felt like I had woken up from a dream. A really nice dream. As Shane disappeared, the dog got closer to me and barked in the direction Shane had gone.
    “You shouldn’t be out here,” said a demanding voice. Dean’s voice.
    “You can actually talk?” I asked rudely. Somewhat dazed, I whirled around to face him. The dog had calmed down and he wagged his tail at Dean. “What do you care if I’m out here anyway?” I asked.
    “It isn’t safe.” Dean sharply said. He stood there. Still, like a statue. His darkness towered over me but there was still enough light out for me to make him out. The moonlight shone on his handsome face and outlined the muscles of his body. A tingling sensation tip-toed all over my skin. Fight it!
    “I have mace!” I blurted out. Regret filled me. What a stupid thing to say! Out of all the airhead moments I’d had, th at had to be one of the worst.
    “You should go home, Mindy.” he suggested.