Ringgg!! Ringgg!!
Dawn was met with the noisy ringing of the hotel alarm. Valyn stirred awake, lazily pushing his body off the king-sized bed. He walked into the bathroom and took a light shower, not opting to use the bath, concerned he might doze off just like the previous day.
Getting out, he wiped off with a towel and retrieved some clothes from his room that had already been delivered beforehand. Donning them, he took a while to check his features in the vanity mirror beside the bed. It'd all be perfect save for his eye bags.
It seemed even 9 hours of sleep didn't fix it. Sighing he headed downstairs to the reception.
On reaching, he noticed the same girl at the table and approached her.
"Hey stranger, good morning. How was your night?" She turned in his direction and smiled brightly. "It was... okay, could have been better. From the looks of it though.... you, probably could use a little more sleep," she said, pointing below his eyes.
"Well, I can't help it. I have to make sure I round up everything early. I mean, we still haven't gotten to talk properly. I don't even know your name," Valyn replied, causing her to roll her eyes and fidget with the pen she was holding.
"Harriet, you can call me Harriet... It's about time you asked. I was starting to think you didn't like me," she said coyly.
Ringgg!!
A call popped up on the terminal and she had to answer, so Valyn waved her goodbye and walked outside, headed for the entrance to the reserve.
As Valyn steps into the Reserve, the chaos of city life fades away, replaced by the gentle symphony of nature.
The narrow path, framed by lush greenery, invited him deeper into this urban oasis. Each step on the soft, earthy trail was accompanied by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds, creating a serene backdrop.
The air was filled with the sweet scent of damp earth and blooming wildflowers. Valyn could hear the soft ripples of a nearby stream, its crystal-clear water dancing over smooth pebbles, adding a soothing melody to the natural orchestra. The occasional croak of a frog and the rustle of small mammals in the underbrush add layers to the soundscape, making the experience immersive and tranquil.
As he walks further, the path opened up to a small clearing where the sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Here, the sound of the stream becomes more pronounced, its gentle flow a constant, calming presence. Valyn pauses for a moment, closing his eyes to fully absorb the peaceful ambiance. For a short while he really didn't need any medication.
corking his can open he still took a few pills and gulped down 'sigh I need to enjoy this more'
Continuing his journey, he reached a secluded spot where the trees part to reveal a small pond. The water was still, reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage like a mirror. Suddenly, a movement catches his eye. A group of grey herons stands majestically by the water's edge, their long necks and elegant forms creating a striking contrast against the verdant background.
Valyn's heart races with excitement as he carefully retrieved his camera, not wanting to disturb the birds.
He adjusted the lens, focusing on the herons as they moved gracefully, their reflections shimmering in the water. Each click of the shutter captured a moment of pure beauty, the herons' poised elegance immortalized in his photographs.
The scene was probably almost surreal, the herons' silent presence adding a touch of magic to the already enchanting reserve. Valyn felt a deep connection to this place, a sanctuary where nature's artistry was on full display. As he lowered his camera, he took a moment to simply watch the herons, their serene demeanor a reminder of the tranquility that can be found in the heart of the city.
With a contented sigh, Valyn continued his walk, the sounds of the reserve accompanying him like a gentle lullaby, each step a testament to its beauty and serenity.
He walked a bit more before coming to a stop at a spot and frowning deeply for the first time since the beginning of his outing. The ground there was slightly charred, as if some idiot had tried to start a fire. "There's nothing I hate more than sights like this. Sickening, just like the kind that produces them," he thought to himself. He made a couple more stops before getting satisfied with the pictures and turning around to leave
*******
Heading back towards his room, he spotted a group, and with them, his cute receptionist.; Harriet She was really working multiple jobs now, acting as a tour guide for the elderly customers. Valyn watched as she moved from one person to another, checking on their well-being with genuine concern. Many of them seemed exhausted, struggling with the heat.
"She's really too good to be true," he thought, admiring how she patiently attended to each elderly person, offering water and words of comfort. Her dedication was evident as she ensured everyone was coping with the heat, her presence a reassuring beacon for the weary group.
He would have loved to help but didn't want to get involved more than he already was, so he made a detour through the woods and went around them, heading back towards his room.
Upon reaching the reception, he stopped and looked around. There was no one really paying attention.
He seemed troubled as his eyes darted around. Noticing there was nobody around he finally made up his mind, he took a risk and planted a camera on the arch right above the reception as he passed by.
Planning to watch his new interest up close, it was creepy he knew but he couldn't help himself.
He went to his room and set up his laptop to edit the photos he had taken. He left a side tab open, displaying the reception area, hoping to catch a few glimpses of Harriet.
As he worked, the screen flickered with the live feed from the camera. The reception remaining empty for a while.
When Harriet walked in tho. Valyn's eyes narrowed as he watched her every move, a sinister smile creeping across his face. She greeted a guest with her usual bright smile, completely unaware of the eyes watching her from afar.
Valyn leaned closer to the screen, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. The room felt colder, the shadows longer, as he observed her, his intentions shrouded in mystery.... Harriet moved gracefully, her kindness evident in every gesture, but to Valyn, she was a pawn in his game, a piece of the puzzle he was meticulously putting together.
He watched for a couple more hours. It was already late. He picked up the service phone and decided to call the reception.
Harriet answered the phone with her usual cheerful tone.
"Good evening, how can I help you?"
"Hi, Harriet. It's Valyn..... So, I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a walk in the park at midnight. It's a beautiful night, and I'd love to get to know you better," he said, his voice smooth and inviting.
There was a brief pause before she replied, "Oh, that sounds lovely! I don't usually get off work until late, but I'd love to join you. The park is so peaceful at night."
Valyn's smile widened. "Great, I'll meet you at the entrance then."
Harriet hung up the phone, her heart fluttering with excitement. She was always eager to be closer to him, she really didn't mind being alone with him.
Her kind and trusting nature made her believe the best in people, and tonight was no different. She finished her shift with a smile, looking forward to the midnight rendezvous, completely unaware of Valyn's true intentions.
As the clock struck midnight, Harriet arrived at the park entrance, her eyes scanning the area for Valyn. She spotted him standing under a lamppost, his figure partially obscured by shadows. She waved and walked over, her steps light and carefree.
"Hi, Valyn! I'm so glad you invited me. It's such a beautiful night," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
Valyn nodded, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "I'm glad you could make it, Harriet. Let's take a walk and enjoy the night."
As they strolled through the park, Harriet chatted happily about her day, her laughter echoing softly in the night air. Valyn listened, his mind calculating and cold, as he led her deeper into the park, away from the safety of the lights and the sounds of the city.
**********
Valyn stared at her for a while, her innocent frame and purity a sight to behold. His creepy smile returned with a predatory grin as he spoke for the first time, "So, how does it taste, Harriet?"
She hopped ahead cutely swinging from a lamppost looking like an angel under it's illumination. Stretching out her petite tongue.
"The wind, it's so salty, but I love it. It tastes like freedom," she said cutely.
He chuckled at the shy receptionist. "Not the wind, dummy....."
He brought his hands out his coat and cupped them smilingly
"What then?..... Is there something more you want me to leave a review on"
She said teasingly causing him to chuckle once more
"Well yeah obviously........ I was asking about the lifeforce." He replied care freely staring her deadin the eye
Walking to a corner, he pulled from the grass a pair instrument cases
"You can drop the act, Harriet. I already pieced it all together. You can fool the others, but I know exactly what you are," he said, causing Harriet to look at him in confusion and adopt a slightly frightened expression as she stared at him from behind the lamppost.
She hopped down warily her hand against her chest as she shuddered slightly noticably from fear.
"What do you mean, Valyn? You're scaring me," she asked, her voice trembling.
Valyn meanwhile laughed, a chilling sound that echoed in the night. "Ah... hahaha! So, we're still playing the ignorance game, are we? Well, then shall I delibrate"
He said, voice dripping with mockery.
"First, the way you walk.... You've learned how to swing those hips, I won't lie, but.... your step lacks proper symmetry. You sway out and back into a straight line, and your legs rarely synchroniz it's like you're walking on four legs, I recon because you're not familiar to the body you're in right now."
He opened the instrument cases revealing a pair of dazzling katanss. unsheathed them he smiled in satisfaction. the blades catching the moonlight as he checked their reflections.
"That's not a real sign, though more of a speculation, could have been a disease sickness or rare brain virus so I counted it out," Valyn continued, his voice steady and cold.
"So I kept looking.....
Even went as far as pevertedly stalking you with a camera, low I know... but I saw. You incite emotional instability in people, causing chaos and feeding on it..... That was the second clue I got,"
he said, popping more pills and gulping them down.
"Third, you leave traces of your little meals around the park. They smell like shit, might I add. Those black disgusting patches of rottening flesh... And you walk the elderly stealing their lifeforce. People think it's just them being tired, weary , old. but no, you enjoy it.... It's your perverted way of, sinking your fangs deeper as you push them slowly closer to death's door."
"And it's not just the elderly. all your co-workers are constantly sick? There's always a shortage of volunteers because you're even harsher on them, sucking their lifeforce dry. They think it's just stress or overwork, but it's you, Harriet. You're the reason they're wasting away."
Harriet's eyes widened, her facade of innocence not giving on. "You're insane," she whispered, a tremor in her voice that betrayed her fear.
"Oh yeah, that's actually true, but that's not the topic here," Valyn continued, his eyes never leaving Harriet. "And the last clue? Well, it's your shadow. You detached a part of yourself to act as your shadow, and it mirrors your movements beautifully. But when you feed, when you get excited using those cursed abilities of yours, it starts to glitch and give in to the euphoria."
Harriet's expression finally shifted to annoyance and then to indifference, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Ugh, enough my ears hurt, okay okay you caught me" she replied casually yawning as she stretched her body seeking relief.
"So what if it's true?" she said, her voice calm and unbothered. "You're just another confident nuisance, I mean where's your backup. Do you really think you can stop me alone?" She said almost amused by his approach...
Valyn's grip on his katana tightened, his resolve unwaveringly "sadly I can't clear that up in the bedroom.... But yeah I will be leaving this place with your head"
She giggled as they both stared at each other in a standoff