The rain tapped lightly against the windows of Izzy's apartment, a soft rhythm that matched the racing of her heart. She hadn't seen Danny for two days now, not since their last intense encounter. He'd left without a word, but Izzy couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between them—something unspoken, something dangerous.
She stood at the window, gazing out into the night, lost in thought. She didn't know if it was the storm outside or the storm brewing inside her that was making her feel so unsettled. The attraction she felt for Danny had grown stronger over the last few weeks, but so had the fear. There was something off about him—something she couldn't quite put her finger on. The way his eyes burned when he looked at her, the way his presence seemed to shift the air around him—it was like he wasn't entirely human.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen: it was a message from Danny.
Danny: I'm outside.
Izzy's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to show up so soon. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before she typed out a response.
Izzy: What do you want, Danny?
The reply came almost instantly.
Danny: You know what I want.
She bit her lip, fighting the urge to go downstairs. She knew it was a bad idea. But the pull toward him was undeniable, and before she could stop herself, she grabbed her coat and left the apartment.
---
Izzy stepped out into the heavy rain, her boots sinking slightly into the wet pavement. She squinted into the darkness, looking for Danny. He stood by his car, his figure tall and imposing against the backdrop of the city's neon lights. The storm seemed to swirl around him, as though the weather itself was reacting to his presence.
"Danny," she called softly, approaching him with hesitation. "What are you doing here?"
He turned to face her, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "You didn't think I'd leave without saying goodbye, did you?" His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it—a dangerous undertone that Izzy couldn't ignore.
"I didn't know what to think," she admitted, crossing her arms tightly against the chill. "You've been distant lately."
Danny stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I don't do distant, Izzy. You know that. But there's a part of me that's been... holding back. For your sake."
Izzy frowned. "What do you mean?"
He reached out, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. "There are things about me, things you don't understand. Things that could change everything."
Izzy took a step back, suddenly feeling the weight of his words. "What are you talking about?"
Danny's eyes darkened, the usual warmth in them replaced by something cold and unfamiliar. "I've been fighting it, Izzy. Fighting what I am. But I can't keep pretending anymore."
Izzy's breath caught in her throat. "What are you?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer again, closing the distance between them until they were inches apart. The air between them felt thick with tension, charged with something electric.
"I'm not like the men you're used to," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm something more... something darker."
Izzy's heart pounded in her chest. She wanted to ask him what he meant, but she was afraid of the answer. Instead, she found herself drawn to him, as though some invisible force was pulling her closer.
Danny reached out, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "You feel it, don't you? The pull between us. It's not just chemistry, Izzy. It's something much deeper."
Izzy swallowed hard, struggling to keep her composure. "Danny, I don't know what you're talking about."
But deep down, she did. She had always known that there was something off about him. Something she couldn't explain. And now, with the rain pouring down around them, with the city alive in the distance, she realized that whatever it was, it wasn't something she could walk away from.
Danny's eyes flickered, a brief flash of red appearing in the darkness before they returned to their usual shade of blue. Izzy blinked, unsure if she had imagined it. But the moment was gone before she could ask.
"Come with me," he said softly, his voice almost a plea. "There's more you need to know. About me, about us."
Izzy hesitated, torn between fear and the undeniable pull she felt toward him. She had no idea what she was walking into, but she couldn't stop herself from taking that first step toward him.
---
The drive was silent, the only sound the hum of the engine and the steady beat of the rain against the windows. They didn't speak until they reached an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Danny parked the car, and Izzy followed him inside, her heart racing with anticipation.
Inside, the space was dark and empty, the only light coming from the flickering of a few broken street lamps outside. The air smelled of rust and decay, and Izzy couldn't help but feel a chill creep up her spine.
Danny turned to her, his expression serious. "This is where I've been hiding. Where I go when I need to be alone."
Izzy glanced around, unease settling in her chest. "Hiding from what?"
Danny's eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw the full weight of the burden he carried. "Hiding from what I am. From who I am."
His words hung in the air like a confession, and Izzy could feel the weight of them pressing down on her. She wanted to ask him more, but the words stuck in her throat.
"Tell me, Danny," she whispered, "what are you?"
Danny looked at her, his gaze piercing. "I'm not human, Izzy. Not anymore."