11.2.1 Avoidance

"You need to leave."

You're somewhat taken aback by your words and the acerbity of your tone. Luke appears equally surprised but is given no time to react further before you promptly shut the door. Your heart is beating rapidly as you hear the man let out a string of curses before finally departing. You're unsure whether to feel relieved or regretful. You should feel relieved, at least that's what you tell yourself. Still, an inkling of doubt remains as you regress back into the dark apartment. Though only a few days have passed, it feels as if a lifetime has passed since you last socialized. The sudden shift in the townsfolk's reaction towards you returns to your thoughts. In an effort to distract yourself, you decide to straighten the things in your life that you can. By the time you're finished tidying your small abode, all thoughts regarding the town and even Luke have left your mind. Wiping the back of your hand against your brow, you're surprised to find you've failed to work up a sweat despite your exertion. In fact, your skin feels oddly cold and dry.

As you take stock of your surroundings, you find the whole apartment abnormally cold. Shivering softly, you absentmindedly make your way to the kitchen. In addition to the cold, a sudden hunger has taken over you, one that you've not felt in sometime. You spend a few minutes scrounging around your pantries before turning your attention to the fridge. There you come across even less desirable food, though you know they are recently purchased items, they smell as if they've been sitting for weeks. Just as you're about to give up hope, the aroma of something latches your attention. After leaning deeper into the fridge you can tell it is not the source of the sweet order. Quickly retreating from the area, you manage to follow the direction of the scent. It seems to draw you in the direction of your porch. After slowly sliding the large glass door aside, you're met with an intense wave of delicious fragrance. Inhaling deeply, you take a step forward as you follow the enticing smell. A moment later you find yourself before the wooden fence at the end of the yard. Standing on the tips of your toes, you're just barely able to glimpse into the alley between your apartment and the next.

Your eyes widen in shock and fear when at the sight below you. Slumped over the alleyway is a pale, bloodied man. He, however, is not the source of your alarm. Your attention is instead drawn to the figure crouched over the man. Your breath catches in your throat as you watch the shape lean over the injured man. You can tell he's too weak to fight off the strange adversary. Whatever the figure is doing to the man, you can tell it doesn't appear to be in his favor. His pale eyes look around the alley frantically before glancing up and locking with yours. You watch helplessly as the pained eyes look up at you, imploring you to help them. Gnawing at the inside of your lip, you feel your grip around the edge of the fence tighten. Despite the confusion clouding your mind, one thing rings true - you must stop whatever is happening.

Despite the compelling internal drive, you feel hesitant. However, as you see the life draining from the victims eyes, you know you must act.

"Stop!"

Your voice echoes across the alleyway as you begin scrambling over the wooden fence. The figure below you pauses for a moment before turning abnormally quickly to face you. The shadows obscure the figure's face, all of it but sharp eyes that peer back at you ominously. The illumination from the streetlights above reflects off the beings stare much in the manner it would an animal. As the strange eyes look back at you, all of your movements involuntarily cease. Before you can further react, the figure has taken off down the alleyway and out of sight.