Winds Of The Moon

The truck went past her and then slowed as the passenger door opened. A man in a filthy tee-shirt leaned out and stared at her through bloodshot eyes. “Need help, little lady? This ain’t no safe place for a beauty like you to be walking. I’m JD.”

“Hi, JD. Just out for a morning run. My husband will be by any time to pick me up. The kids weren’t quite ready yet, so I am getting in my run before we head up to Hollywood for the holidays. Thanks, anyway.” It was a bluff that sounded horribly feeble. “Good one, Crystal, you are running in black leather and boots on a deserted road. Really bright.”

He hopped out of the cab and strutted towards her. “Ain’t never seen no jogger dressed in black leather before, not here in Florida. I think you is all alone and in need of some company. Lester and I can be real good company.”

“I am very glad to hear that. I’m really fine and in no need of company. Me and my blade can manage alone, thank you.”

JD stopped, laughing as he put his hand to his heart. “Ain’t that special. A lady and her blade! Are you some kind of freak ‘gator hunter or do you just fuck yourself with it?”

“I fuck up slime like you with it. I get off on slicing up assholes.”

He sauntered closer. “Where is this shiny blade? Your hands look empty to me.”

In a single motion, Crystal bent her knee, pulled the knife from the slit in her pants and flipped it up into the air. It caught the sun, the finely honed steel and gemstones flashing as it spun. Then it settled back into her palm and disappeared.

His eyes stopped at her hand and JD frowned. “You some kind of voodoo bitch? Where the fuck did it go?”

“It’s in my hand. Want to see it?”

He chuckled nervously. “I bet that was some kind of magic thing.”

Crystal stepped forward, flicking the zipper cover on his jeans with the point. The fabric split, exposing the skin beneath and a line of blood where she had sliced him.

“Oh fuck, you crazy bitch.”

“Very,” she replied in an eerily dark tone, as she cloaked her eyes to appear red.

JD backed up, stumbling as he tried to get his footing against the sudden feeling of rising fear. He turned briefly to see her hand above her shoulder as if she intended to throw the knife at him. Crystal lurched forward, stomping her boot loudly on the pavement. “Run, fucker!”

JD didn’t hesitate as he raced to the truck. He scrambled inside and slammed the door. She could hear him screaming at Lester. “Get the fuck out of here. That bitch is crazy. She sliced me open with a damn skinning blade.” The truck roared to life and JD’s hysterical voice faded as they pulled away. “The fucking thing looked….”

“I wonder what he said. It looked like a sword. I wish that I had mine. Damn it.” Her nervousness broke and she started to chuckle in relief. “What a way to spend Christmas morning.” Crystal squatted down and put her elbows onto her knees as she closed her eyes. She was dizzy from the heat, her mind drifting dangerously close to mental collapse. “Oh, Taz, why?”

A hand touched her shoulder and she screamed and leaped to her feet as she went for her blade. The slit was empty and Sky smiled at her. “I know better.” He handed her the knife. “Are you all right?”