My name is Sarah Percy, and I write this account at David Folly's request. He has asked this in the interests of `science and history'. I have my doubts as to the wisdom of this course, but since many of our kind do keep journals, it is only fair that I record my history, to date, and then join them in their rabid journalism.
I was 22 at the time, and had a bit of an evening walk, to calm and center myself for sleep. I'd usually leave the house at about seven and walk for an hour, up one street, through a well lit alley, and out to the main thoroughfare. One night, I didn't leave until 7:30, and I went further down the street than I usually do. I returned to the alley well after nine, and it was darker than I expected.
As I entered the alley, I felt a strange chill, although the night was very warm. I ignored the feeling and walked on. A shadow detached itself from the wall, and barred my path.
"Hello, angel" low and warm, a male voice, one used to charming women into his bed. I looked up into eyes, dark as midnight, fathomless. I sensed great depth and I felt an instant physical attraction. I smiled, disarmingly.
"Hello?"
"Where ya headed angel?"
"Home, may I pass?" I replied and he smiled and turned sideways, so that there was just enough room for me to slip past him, but not without touching him.
"I wont hurt you, angel." He smiled, even broader, as I slipped past him, my heart thudding painfully behind my breastbone.
All the way home, I listened for following footsteps, and was surprised that I made it home unmolested.
I continued my evening walks, but I didn't use that alley for three or four nights. Then, at the end of the week I had no choice. It was late, and avoiding the alley would take me too far out of my way.
He was waiting.
"Why, hello again!" He said, humor in his voice. The alley was not as dark as it had been on our previous meeting, I could clearly see his face. I got the impression of clear gray eyes, a straight, noble nose, cleft chin, and high cheekbones. His hair was dark, but I couldn't quite tell if it were dark brown or true black. The overall effect was quite compelling and I heard him chuckle. "Seen enough, angel?"
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare."
"S'allright." He said, "I'm enjoying your scrutiny. Just tell me one thing. What is your name, angel?"
"I have no idea who you are," I hedged. Something about him made me long to answer him immediately, but instinct warned to be careful.
"Come, angel. Only your first name, that's all I ask." He coaxed, "How about I tell you mine?"
"Ummm... maybe.." I said, and some inner demon made me smile.
"Very well, my name is Tom" and he cocked his head to one side, "Now, will you tell me yours? Or will I be forced to continue calling you angel?"
I have no idea why, but, recklessly, I told him, "Sarah. do you always hang out in alleys and accost women?"
That got a chuckle, and he shook his head,
"No, actually, I've been watching for you. After that first time, I waited for you to return. I hope I didn't frighten you, then. I didn't think following you was a good idea, and I know you don't frequent any public places where I'd be welcome."
"Oh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"How else was I to meet you, than by introducing myself, alone? I don't know many people in this city, and among those I do know, none of them knows you. I guess they're not into the fashion scene much, huh?" He smiled, deprecatingly, boyish, and I was torn between being charmed, and anger,
"Ah, I see. So, you think that you're justified in accosting me and scaring me half to death, " Yes, anger won, as usual. "Did you follow me to my home?"
"No. I really didn't want to frighten you. I just wanted a chance to talk with you, and perhaps, to intrigue you a little."
"But, you did frighten me. I've never had cause to avoid this alley before. Now, the only reason I came this way tonight was, it's late and Jeff will be furious, considering how late you've made me now."
"Jeff?" he said and chuckled again. "I probably have no right to ask, but who is Jeff to you?"
"My... roommate, sort of." and I realized that I was actually worried more about what Jeff would do at my tardiness, than at what this stranger might want with me.
"Ah, you mean your lover. Except, now you doubt his love, and fear him, yes? For how long?"
The unmitigated gall of this observation, followed by the question, bold and to the point, should have sent me into a true rage, yet, I felt only sadness as his words struck home. It was true. Over the last month, Jeff's attitude had become more and more selfish, not that he'd ever cared much about my feelings. I always felt unfulfilled and used afterwards. Recently, it was worse. I knew enough to recognize that, soon, he would either leave me, or begin to abuse me. "I see." He said, even though I said nothing. I looked up into his eyes and lost myself in their depths. I felt tears in my eyes.
"Come, angel, don't cry over him. Leave him."
"I..."
"You do not love him, I can tell. You clutch at feelings you only wish for. Let me show you what love is. What love can be." he said, and I could hear his commitment in his voice.
"No, you don't understand."
"But I do. I love you. Give me a chance to show you what this feeling can mean to you."
"No!" I cried out, turned and ran back the way I'd come.
"Sarah!?" He called. I ran, sobbing, into the nearest open public place, where he'd dare not follow me. I stood in the corner farthest from the door, panting and frightened. I thought furiously how to get home without going past the alley, and still not be late getting home. My only possible option was to be very late, and call a cab. Sighing, I dug into my purse for change, and made the call.
When I arrived home, Jeff was waiting, fierce, angry.
"Why are you late?" He demanded, glowering.'
"I got a late start tonight, and..." But he didn't let me finish.
"This is the third time you've been late! Where have you been?" He stepped closer, towering over me. "I can smell the man you were with, who is he? I'll kill him!"
"Jeff, really!. I've not been with anyone. I don't know what you mean. The only thing you smell is your own breath. I told you..." I began..
"Liar, Slut!" He cried, and his hand crashed into my face. I fell to the floor, cradling my cheek. Staring up at him, I told myself that `Tom' had been right. This man did not love me. I didn't know what he felt, but it wasn't love. I felt only fear of him. I scrambled away from the kick he aimed at me, and slipped out the door to run to the neighbor's house.
"Please, help me!" I called, knocking on the door frantically. Thank God, the door was snatched open and a lightly clad woman stood, confusion in her eyes. "Please, let me use your phone to call the police."
"Over a little spat? Come on dearie, call some friends, let him cool off." she said, and I could tell that she really didn't think much of what had just happened. No use arguing with her, nor would it serve to try.
"You're right, I'm sorry." I replied, thinking that I could take care of Jeff more efficiently through other means than the cops. She closed the door behind me, and locked it. She showed me to the phone and I called Maggie, the closest thing to a best friend I had. If anyone could help she would.
She wasn't home, though, and her machine didn't pick up either. She must have left it unplugged. Damn! I hung up the phone, and turned to my neighbor.
"No answer?"
"No." I sighed,
`Your cheek is starting to swell. Let me get you some ice for it. Right back." I sat on the couch and cradled my cheek. I could hear Jeff, next door, bellowing. I had no idea what he was saying and no idea where I would stay the night. No way would I go near him again.
"Here we go." My neighbor was saying, bustling in from the kitchen. "Any luck?" she asked, pressing the icy cloth to my bruised cheek.
"Maggie's the only person I can impose on like this."
"That's too bad. Listen, you could call a cab and stay in a hotel room. It can't hurt for one night. By tomorrow he'll have calmed down and you can talk." she offered.
"I'll take the cab, and the hotel, but I've seen this coming. I'm not going back there. I'll get my things out while he's at work tomorrow. No way I can work, like this. I'm gonna have to fall back on my bank roll."
"What do you do?" she seemed honestly curious.
"Modeling. I'm well-paid and in demand because of my unique coloring." I smiled, and winced at the pain in my cheek. I hoped it would heal normally.
"How do you keep your skin and hair so pale? You look like something out of an old monster movie." she smiled.
"I'm albino. It's natural. I can't take any sun, and the work I do is fun. I do have to wear special contacts for runway work and that sucks..." and she smiled. I picked up the phone and called a cab, then my agent, then said, "I'll be staying at Murphy's in case anyone besides Jeff needs to reach me."
"That place?" She said, disgusted. I laughed. On the outside, Murphy's was a dump, but inside...
Inside the rooms all the luxuries could be had, including gourmet room service. He catered to people with brains and money who wished to be unknown.
"Don't judge a book by its cover." I said, dialing.
I was on my way by eleven, and in my room by eleven fifteen. I was lucky enough to catch Murphy in residence.
"Booby! What happen!" He exclaimed as he entered my room, in response to my request to see him.
"Jeff" I sighed.
"I told you he was a jerk. great photographer. Lousy lay, lousy drinker. In fact, just lousy. Why you moved in with him, I'll never know."
"I don't want to remember. Be a doll, Murphy, and get me a nightgown and toiletries? You know what I like better than anyone." I asked, knowing he would. I could rely on our old acquaintance for him to keep my location secret, and to get the things I needed. He smiled, so I went on, "Then, you can come back and cuddle me." He had always been very good at soothing me when I was upset. Yes, he and I went a long way back.
"Right away, colleen." He replied, ducking out, to get what I'd asked for. And I knew he'd do it personally, the way no fancy hotel would. I sat down and called Neil again, then called my neighbor to leet her know I was okay.
"There's someone with Jeff. Some guy, and they're having a major shouting match." she informed me.
"Do you hear any names?"
"Tom and yours."
"Oh, god, he did follow me home." I said, shocked and yet, not surprised.
"They've stopped." She held her breath, and I heard a knocking at her door. "Someone's at the door."
"Don't tell where I went."
"Never. I'm gonna put the phone down now, and answer it. Don't worry, I won't open the door." she put the phone down and I could hear her voice and then Tom's. Then, she hung up the phone!
`what?' I thought `why did she hang up?' I knew we weren't cut off, I'd heard her footsteps right before the thump and click. Then, Murphy was back with a black negligee and a bag of goodies. Including a chocolate malted.
"Oh, Murphy! You remembered!" I exclaimed, setting down the phone.
"Of course!" He gloated, handing me the shake and strewing the bed with goodies. I set the drink aside to hug him,
"You are so wonderful." I sighed as his arms came about me.
"Are you going to be okay, ducky?" He asked, concern flickering in his dark eyes. "How will you work with that bruise?"
"I won't. I already spoke to Neil, and he said `No problem'."
"Neil always says `No problem." Murphy said, his mouth tight. I snuggled closer, but he rose to pull me to my feet. "Better drink your shake before it melts. I'll be back when you're ready for bed." He said, opening the door. Then he turned back to me, "That is, if you still want me to."
"Please. could you arrange to stay the night?" I'd never asked this of Murphy, but the thuoght of being alone scared me spitless, and besides, Murphy would be perfect for the hunger inside me.
"Sure baby!" He seemed surprised, and shook his head as he closed the door behind him. I sighed and picked up the shake. Murphy had been my first friend in this city, and he knew me better than anyone. As I drank, I dialed Maggie's, again... At last!
"Maggie's mad house, Maggie here."
"Hi doll. It's Sarah. I'm at Murphy's, I'll need some help tomorrow, if you could come pick me up?"
"What happened? Why at Murphy's?" she knew I went to him when I was upset, or felt cornered.
"I'll tell you tomorrow, okay?"

"Well, alright. Sleep tight hon." and she giggled as she hung up.