The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

A Walk in the Park
by Linda Lee Rice

Let’s take a walk in the park, shall we?” he nuzzled my neck, his warm breath creating a halo of mist. The park, eerily lit, fog rolling, an unquiet air about it. I shivered as the autumn breeze rustled through the leaves at my feet.

“Are you frightened, my pet?” his long rider coat whirled around him, reminding me of a cape. He sniffed the air as if sensing my unspoken fear. The walkway seemed to go on forever, the end not in sight. Why did he suggest walking through this desolate area?

The tavern had been warm and cozy with the fireplace blazing. I had been drinking my brandy to take the chill off my bones. Business has been slow tonight; I had been brushed aside numerous times while trying to attract the eye of the right man.

He walked strode through the door as if he owned the place. I peeked at him over the rim of my glass. I let my eyes roam his broad physique, his hair curling around his ears and neck. He saw me and grinned a white-toothed grin, which widened when he saw me staring. I do admit, though, his appreciative glance gave me a tingle along my spine…there was something.

He sauntered over to me as if giving me time to size him up.

“Is this seat occupied?”

“No, it’s not, I’m alone tonight.”

He sat and calmly talked about the weather, his being in town, and could he pay for my company? I’m usually more cautious, but he drew me to him as no other in a long time. His eyes sparkled with merriment and reassured me, calmed me almost as if he were a dose of laudanum.

And now, we’re at the park, the lights shrouded by the fog and noises muffled in the darkness. He turns to me as his eyes begin to widen and change, becoming wolfish. His melodious voice deepened into a growl as his bones began to writhe under his skin.

I caught my breath at the magnificence of this man-beast. As he reached for me claws extended, I swiftly sank my fangs into his neck. Blood dripping from my mouth, I slowly licked my lips as I looked at the beast, who is once again a man lying at my feet. The clan didn’t exaggerate, werewolf blood is the sweetest!

Fiction © Copyright Linda Lee Rice
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More about Linda Lee Rice:

Linda Lee Rice aka Ruzicka has poetry published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Descending Darkness, Writing Village, Spine, and Page, Muses Gallery, Bloodbond, Lycan Valley Press Publishers, Alban Lake, Highland Park Poetry, Rosette Maleficarum, The Siren’s Call, Edify Fiction

and the June Cotner anthology, “House Blessings” and “Garden Blessings

She has short stories published in The Grit, and Reminisce, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family, FrostFire Worlds. Plus, a personal essay at Mamalode. She also has various articles and blogs published online as a freelance writer.