I brushed the crinkles out of my skirt and glanced over to the woman in the booth next to me. She was a new one, quite a pretty bird. Tamed and caged in this glass hell. Pity really.

            "Why are you all dressed up today?" she politely enquired

            "Meeting Anthony for lunch." I reflected with a smile. My publisher and I got along pretty well. We'd known each other for quite a while now. He's been with me since the start. Since I was eighteen. I anxiously glanced at my watch. I want to get out of here. I hated work. The second my watch ticked to 12:50 I swiftly moved from my seat, quick enough to leave a comic trail of dust in my wake.

            "I want you to produce another work for me" Anthony proposed

            "What sort? Fantasy? Another crime? Mixed compilation?"

            "Crime this time. Your last two have been primarily fantasy. I'd like to shake things up a bit"

            "You got it! Just give me a little while. My past should give me a little extra realism the other crime writers lack!" I joked. He didn't care about my criminal record. To him it added a bit of spice to my character and my writing. Just what he liked. I grudgingly glanced at my watch. Time to return to work. Oh joy! Mind numbing labour for a minor pittance. At least my social life was interesting, cause my work life was much less than stimulating. I kissed him softly on the cheek and issued a small hug. I didn't usually like hugging people. Him and dad were the only exceptions.

            "Miss Alexander! In my office NOW!" My boss shouted at me. Probably about the reports I tried to spice up again. Please let me be fired this time. I really wanted out of here. I knew the Goddess would take care of me. Obediently, and rather sarcastically, I lightly skipped to his office. Anya laughed quietly as she saw me walk past and I shot her a cheeky look. She quickly disappeared behind her booth as she started to laugh out loud, afraid of attracting the old bastards attention.

            "Yes boss?" I tried to sound innocent. It just wasn't working. I was never that good at lying. Manipulating and omitting certain truths yes, but never outright lying. He scampered behind me to shut the door. Oh yes!!! Finally, I'm getting fired! Then he started closing the blinds. A cold chill washed over me. I sensed something wasn't right. He was going to do something to me, but it wasnt going to be what I hoped. Images of possible scenarios raced through my mind. One stuck on repeat. Sexual assault. Thank the Gods that dad taught me how to defend myself. He leaned close to me. His breath was pungent. Revolting.

            "You're a firey little woman! I like that Rhiannon!" He hissed in my ear. I waited patiently for the right moment to deck him. His tone made my skin crawl. That and the cheap aftershave that wafted from his stubbly skin. Ech, gross. He stroked my purple hair, tied back in its trademark bun with two chopsticks. Pity I hadn't sharpened these a little. They'd make great weapons. How I'd love to sink one into his flesh right about now. Hear the satisfying crackle of breaking skin. He reached below into my blouse and started fondling my breast. He continued to whisper sleazy connotations in my ear. Thats it! In one swift move I spun around and punched him in the nose. It brought tears to his eyes. I punched again, this time at his solar plexus. He doubled over and wheezed "If you dont submit I'll fire you." Hastily drawing breath, he attempted to advance. Predicting his movements, I sidestepped him as he slid past and side kicked him in the small of the back. He smashed into his huge oak desk.

"Just getting started." I whispered. I spun him back around and connected again, a short and sharp instep kick to the knee. He buckled to the ground. I started to feel liberated. He was at my mercy! What a feeling! The hunter to the hunted. I loved it. The old prick deserved everything he got! I was getting a little too excited. One more blow and thats it I chastised myself. But I made it a good one. Crunch! My knee snapped his jaw. Satisfied he couldnt follow me, I backed towards the door.

            "Dont bother firing me, I quit!" I flung the door open and left.

            I stripped off my blouse and skirt and dumped them in the nearest bin. I felt much more comfortable as I ran in my normal clothes. I burst into my apartment, breathless from the fight and fleeing the office. I can't believe he tried to do that to me. At least it gave me a chance to leave. I knew the Goddess would help me! I hastily packed that which meant the most to me. My altar tools, photos of dad and I, a few pairs of clothes, money and my writing tools. It was all I needed to start a new life, and all I could afford to carry with the cops most likely on my tail. I didn't even bother leaving a goodbye note to my friends. They didn't really care. Besides it was better this way. I had no family to worry about either. The few that talked to me are all dead now.

            I hid my appearance relatively well as I crossed the boarder by bus. It was the most inconspicuous way to travel. Especially considering the people I knew would never catch public transport. I contemplated living as a bum before finding somewhere to live, but I thought I'd lose my mind. Im used to a comfortable life, theres no way I'd survive sleeping in the gutter. Instead, I sought out shelter at the local women's refuge. They were great there, I wasn't used to that kind of hospitality. I laughed in the company of peers for the first time in years. Actually, it was probably the first time ever. These were women of great experience and combined intelligence. Despite their shabby appearance and hard lives, they had the kind of spirit and love that cannot be shaken by anyone or anything. These women made an impact on me, and would be reflected in my writing.

Good fortune was on my side. On my evening jog, I came across an apartment complex with an empty apartment. Good views too. It was penthouse, but surprisingly cheap. While I loved the womens shelter, I really craved somewhere to set up my writing and my altar that was quiet and solitary. Naturally, I walked in and talked to the landlord about it. He was a fairly slim man. Quite handsome despite his age and rather airy looking. Refinement in a place like this? Talk about juxtaposition! He looked at me with a strange glare. He could sense the writer in me.

            "Hello there, may I help you with something?"

            "Ah yes, I was enquiring about the vacant apartment" I wouldnt have been surprised if hed turned me away then and there. I'd barely slept and I was rather shabby. I looked like mud coated death. Instead he invited me upstairs to view the apartment.

            "This is perfect! How much is the rent?"

            "$100 a month." He stated matter of factly

            "Why so cheap? This is a stunning apartment"

            "Ah, we have an artist. Inner beauty is not appreciated by some. Very few people with money want to live in this area. I'm curious as to why you're here to be honest. What's your name sweetheart? Where are you from?"

            "I'm Genevieve," I offered my hand. "I just moved here from Kamloops" I lied, rather convincingly actually.

            "A country girl! I wouldn't have picked it. But I supposed you do get quite a few tomboys in the country so its not unexpected" I stifled a giggle. I could enjoy living here.

            "I'd like to live here!"

            "Excellent! Welcome! Let's go down to my office and sign the paperwork"

            I'd just unpacked my few bags. Altar facing west, back home, where my heart and energy laid. It wasnt traditional to have a western facing altar, but this felt right to me. Besides, I'm eclectic. Why should I follow tradition if it doesnt feel right? My clothes were stashed in the dilapidated dresser in the far right hand corner of the room. For some reason, I managed to get an apartment with two bedrooms. What the fuck am I gonna do with a second bedroom? Currently it holds all of my writing gear. I suppose when I get some more money I can turn it into a study. It was kind of nice to be back to basics. Just a pen and paper. Nothing more to write with. Oh, and my thesaurus, I couldn't survive without it. Satisfied that everything had been put in its rightful place I switched off my diskman and crawled into bed.

            I was sleeping well for a change. Until I heard the door creak open. I could have sworn I deadbolted it. I grabbed my dagger from its sheath and tiptoed out to the kitchen. I could feel my heart racing. It was about to explode. Hmmm, messy. I continued towards the door. Greeted by nothingness. Not even a trace of the noise I had just heard. It cant be first night jitters. There was something real in here. I could feel it. I could hear it. My skin crawled as I felt an eerie presence sneaking behind me. I hate that feeling. I hate being petrified of sensations, it makes me feel weak! As I moved to turn I felt a numbing coldness clutching my neck. It was human flesh no doubt, but it was definitely cold. What I had imagined, only seen in my mind and on my paper was manifesting before me. Well behind me anyway. The last thing I felt was the piercing teeth of the creature. I cried out in pain.

            I had no idea how much time had passed, but when I awoke I had this strange sensation. Something had changed. I fumbled for my pulse. Nothing. Oh shit! I felt different. I also had a craving for something. But what? There was definitely something different about me. I was more confident and my sense seemed to be heightened. I looked down out the window. Rats, my fear of heights was still there. It was night and there was some weird tinting on the windows. They were pretty much opaque. Not even streetlights penetrated all that well. I hadn't noticed that when I first moved in. Probably cause it was evening and the streetlights werent on yet. I wandered out of the apartment and cruised the streets. I had an unnatural compulsion to stay away from the womens shelter. Almost as if I was protecting them from myself. But these women were my friends, there was nothing Id intentionally do to hurt them. Intentionally. I came across a small alleyway. A lost young man checked his map in the dim light trying to find where he was. Instinct overtook me. I snuck up behind him. I reached out and sunk my canines into his luscious neck. Mmmmm, blood. That's what I had been craving. I let him crumple to the floor, just like an old dishrag. He didnt even stand a chance, he couldnt see me coming. I jumped back in alarm as my conscience started to take control again. I had become what so many fear.