Dark Creations: Hell on Earth (Part 5) by Jennifer Martucci, Christopher Martucci Page B

stayed in New York.  She knew Dawn’s death was not Gabriel’s fault.  But Gabriel did not. 
    “All this crap is making my head spin.  I’m tired and would love a hot shower and some room service.  But lucky me, I get to go to sleep smelly and hungry, and on a pile of funky hay, not a bed,” Alexandra griped.  “Fantastic.”
    “We don’t have to sleep, you know,” Yoshi mumbled.
    “Give it up,” Alexandra said and pecked him on the cheek.  “Not gonna happen.”
    “Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he shrugged.
    Truth be told, Melissa could have use d a hot shower and a soft, odor-free bed to sleep in, too.  She doubted she would get much sleep either.  Never one for camping or any type of outdoorsy overnight activities, she was not looking forward to trying to get comfortable on a bed of hay.
    “I guess we’ll go over there,” Gabriel spoke for them and pointed to the far corner of the barn.
    “Looks like someone else is gonna try and get frisky,” Alexandra said and arched a perfectly groomed brow at Melissa and Gabriel.
    Melissa felt her cheeks flush.  The corner likely held a rat’s nest, a spider’s nest, bats, or some other horrifyingly creepy critters in store for them.  Gabriel slipped his arm around her waist and gave a gentle squeeze.  Suddenly, the thought of a degree of isolation, critters or no critters, seemed like a better idea than it had a moment ago.  He lowered his face to her neck and the stubble of his chin met her sensitive skin before his lips brushed against it.  His movement was quick, but the effect was lasting.  The feel of his coarse hairs followed by the soft warmth of his mouth liquefied her insides.  She was reduced to gelatin and she wanted to turn and fall into his arms. 
    “I guess we’ll park it over there,” Alexandra said and pointed to a stall closest to the doors. 
    Melissa looked at her and smiled deviously.
    “What?  I like that there’s walls, you know, just in case,” Alexandra said and elbowed Yoshi in the ribs lightly.
    Melissa did not gesture or comment.  The thought had crossed her mind, as well. 
    “We’ll just stay right here,” Daniella said and patted the hay bale she and Ryan leaned against.  “I need a shower before I get, ahem, private, so this is fine right here in the middle of the barn.  No scary dark corners, no windows or shelves above my head, and no poop I can see; just dirt and hay.”
    “O kay ,” Alexandra said.  “Whatever floats your boat.  Good night all, or shall I say, shitty night all.”
    Everyone exchanged goodnights and moved to their respective makeshift beds.  Once they were alone, Gabriel began inspecting the darkened corner.
    “I know how much you hate spiders,” he said to her.  “I don’t see anything major here.  There are webs, but I don’t see a nest with a mouse trapped in it or anything like that movie we saw.”
    “Great,” she said without enthusiasm. 
    “I’ll knock down the webs,” he said.
    “Don’t bother.  I’m sure there are a dozen more we can’t see.  This place, it is what it is, right?  We will just make the best of it.”
    She sat down on a generous scattering of hay.  Gabriel joined her and held her gaze for several seconds, his eyes infinite pools of tropical water.  She shrugged out of her button-down shirt and rolled it into a crude pillow shape, reluctant to tear her eyes from his.
    “So are you tired?” she asked him.
    “Kind of,” he said.  “My body is tired, but my mind is working overtime.”
    “I know what you mean.  Finding Jack at our house, and then this, it’s all been crazy.”
    “Crazy is an understatement,” he said and shook his head.  “But I’m glad to have a minute alone with you.  I feel like I haven’t seen you for days.”
    “I know.  I’ve missed you,” she said and felt him take her hand in his and entwine his fingers with hers.
    Her heart began to beat a little harder.  He traced her palm with his