Dark Soul Silenced - Part One by Simon Goodson

with counting exactly how long, but through all that time he and his kind had been careful.  A few mistakes would be dismissed, but too many and the myth of the secure home would be broken.  If that happened there could be an exodus from the lands.  Though having studied mortals for so many centuries Rafael suspected many would still stay, most even.  Bound by their ties to the land, to family or simply by poverty — unable to afford to start again somewhere else.
    Now, for one victim, Rafael was about to shatter that illusion of safety.  Focusing on the mind within he reached out with his power.  He had the ability to ghost into a mortals mind, to plant fears and suggestions without them even knowing anything was wrong.  Centuries of experience had given him great skill.  Tonight he chose a different path, the frustration of his earlier failure to feed driving him.  He reached out and overwhelmed the mortal, swamping her in his power.  Not completely though, he left enough of her consciousness to understand what was happening and to feel the terror that knowledge brought.
    The woman stood and walked towards the main door, body completely Rafael’s to command.  He could sense her screaming inside, shaking and sobbing within the core of herself as she realised what was going to happen.  He savoured it, the intense emotions sending a shiver down his spine.  Managing to gain some control he slowed her actions, making her slowly release the chains, bolts and finally the locks.  Stretching the pleasure out. 
    Finally she undid the final lock and pulled the door open.  Rafael made sure he was standing where the dim lantern light would illuminate him, clearly showing her his sharp incisors.  His eyes needed no illumination, he knew they would be glowing a deep crimson.  The woman’s terror reached new heights as she took in the sight of him.  She would have passed out if Rafael’s grip on her mind wasn’t so tight.  Rafael studied her, pleased with his choice.  She positively radiated life, mature enough to have a full figure while young enough that it was still firm.  He realised with delight that she was with child, though so early that even she might not know.  He smiled contentedly at the thought of taking two lives rather than one.
    Once, long ago, he would have asked her name, maybe even asked about her family and her life.  He was interested in his victims then, wanted to absorb their stories as well as their lives.  Those times were long gone.  He’d learnt soon enough that there were only a handful of stories, that each time he asked he just received a variation on something he’d heard many times before.  At least that was how he saw it, each person seemed to feel their story was unique.  Now he simply fed, focusing purely on the exquisite feel as life drained from his victim and flowed into his veins.
    He grabbed the woman, threw her over his shoulder effortlessly and sprinted from the village at a speed that would have thrilled his victim under other circumstances.  He didn’t go far, just far enough into the woods to ensure he wouldn’t be disturbed.  Laying his victim down on the ground he could feel her frantic pleading and sobbing within her mind, it seemed she did know she was with child and she was pleading for mercy — for her child, not for her.  She couldn’t see anything of him except his eyes he knew, in the darkness they glowed above her.
    Unable to restrain himself any longer he leaned forwards and plunged his teeth into her neck, directly into the artery.  Greedily he drank down her blood and her life force, far sweeter than the sweetest nectar, far more intoxicating than the strongest spirits.  Her silent screams only made it sweeter.
     

Chapter Ten
    Daniel sat quietly, staring out to sea while Sarah prepared the meal.  Giving her space to think.  As time passed he realised the smell of the cooking was making him hungry.  It was the first time he’d felt