Thread: Lead Us Not Into Temptation (Rave & darkangel76)

The air was thick with smoke, while the music thumped and the tension thrummed in sync with the heavy beat of drums reverberating off the sticky walls of the club. The lights flickered, bodies swaying in time to the sounds of electric guitars cutting through the darkness. The energy sizzled, crackling fire with each passing moment. Ellis kept up the illusion of drunken delight, a faade to lure in patrons willing to spend all their cash in one place. She was the prized gem, the one the others hated, yet some aspired to be...but, more than anything, she'd give it all up if she could. Dashed were her hopes. Gone were all the dreams she'd wished for in her youth. No matter how many shooting stars she saw in that inky pitch of sky, it didn't change anything. Ellis was still alone and she still was a slave to her job. She felt sick as the scent of sweaty bodies bombarded her senses. Just what time was it? She longed to leave. But she was 'Synful's until the night was over, the last bit of darkness making way for the day. If only the day was hers to enjoy. Instead, she was forced to skulk through the night with the worst of them. With a heavy sigh, the girl clamped her eyes shut. Hatred pulsed through her veins, seething with every thought she had in her parents. Parents. They didn't deserve the title. Ellie, Elllie! came a shrill voice that could only belong to Jillian. The dimwit took her job far too seriously. Didn't she know it was a dead end? Ellis groaned, raking a hand through her dark hair. The soft curls fell over her slim shoulders, brushing along the middle of her back as she turned to look at the vivacious blonde. Ellis knew the girl meant well. She just wished she'd stop pretending that this was the start to something better. She knew better. It was a downward spiral and merely the only place that paid her to dance. She remembered that day a couple years back when she ran away from her scholarship, the chance to attend a prestigious ballet school...but turned to dust along with her parents. Selfish bastards. Ellis hadn't seen or spoken to her parents for about two years. The brunette knew she was better off. The two fought maliciously, their anger often turning on them. It hasn't helped when her dad started eating into her savings to support his habits. It had become too much, her health and sanity suffering. But as Jillian approached, she wondered if she traded that distance from her parents for something equally unhealthy. Equally insane. What's up? Ellis asked, her blue eyes finding Jillian's green. Jillian bit down on her lower lip, her back arching slightly as she stood there clearly debating her next words. Well, rumor has it he's struck again, Jillian stated. Ellis' eyes widened a moment. She willed her body to remain calm as she took in Jillian's information. She knew exactly who the blonde was talking aboutThe Nightcrawler. For the past six months he'd struck once a week and always at the wee hours of night. His victims were random, but each incident was always within a few miles of each other. Police had hoped this would make it easier to find him, catch him...but they weren't any closer to solving the issue than they were on day one. The kills, as Ellis knew only too well, occurred near her apartment. Yes, life was just a cruel joke, a sick existence with nothing to gain and everything to lose. You sure? Ellis asked, her worry evident despite trying to appear happy for the crowd. Jillian nodded. Yeah. The boss mentioned letting you off early so that you could head home. Ellis sucked in a sharp breath. Their boss never let anyone leave early. That could only mean that the asshole truly was worried. At least the guy had a shred of soul. Barely. Nodding, she started to fidget with her hands, wringing them nervously as she contemplated what to do. Go change and take the early night, Jillian pushed. Call me once you get there. Ellis nodded and headed back to her dressing room. The room was more like a closet than anything, the grime caked thick and stale. She shimmied out of revealing dress and shoved it deeply into her bag. Quickly, she pulled on her jean shorts and a black cami tank and strung her bag over her shoulder and about her tiny body. She swapped her heels for some sandals and was ready to run all the way home if she had to. As she exited her changing room, she came face to face with Greg, her boss. The big guy's expression was hard as he pointed toward the door, indicating she go. Without hesitation, she high-tailed it to the door, weaving through the frenzy of people, until she finally made it outside. Home. No stopping, Ellis told herself. Setting her jaw, she darted off in the direction of her home. Jillian mentioned that The Nightcrawler, as the news called him, had already struck. Hopefully that meant he was sated and someone like her wouldn't cause him to glance twice. She held onto that, letting it guide her and keep her mind clear. As she rounded the corner, now only two blocks from home, she felt a strange shiver run down along her spine. She stopped suddenly and shuddered, her head turning to look down a small driveway leading to the backs of some apartments. Her blue eyes narrowed and the urge to see what was in the darkness suddenly became overwhelming. She'd told herself not to stop, but she couldn't help it. Something beckoned...pulled. Slowly, Ellis began to walk up the driveway. Her mind protested as her body moved of its own accord. Teeth chattering, she wished she could stop herself, but it was no use. She heard a strange squelch, her eyes focusing on the dark shadow in an even darker corner. Was someone hurt? In need? Unable to resist, she reached out, her slender fingers barely brushing the velvet darkness hunched over in front of her.