Tracker

She stopped in her tracks. A feeling of being watched crept in. The alley was dark. And the dim light made shadows on the walls. She paced up her speed, feeling her own heavy breath and heartbeat at her throat. She stopped at the end of the alley with a sigh of relief.

What she failed to notice was that someone was still breathing heavily at her neck from all the running. He failed to understand why they all kept running from him. How was he going to prove to his community that humans existed as an afterlife for every ghost? They called him a lunatic. Made fun of him. But the human hunter waited every day in the alley, hoping to catch one human who wouldn't be afraid.

© Suranya

Slow Dancing

He found her twirling across the dance floor as he approached her. "I thought you said you didn't like slow dancing. She stopped, almost aware and awkward at his presence as he stepped into the spotlight from the darkness. His smile reached his eyes and twinkled.

Was he amused? She had stopped trying to read people. "I don't." She smiled, "See, I was doing it alone. To warm up for practice." He stepped closer as her smile faded. "Maybe you don't like it because you never danced with someone." He gave her his hand as she looked unsure. "Come on, you can hate it after this." She narrowed her eyes at him. Was he flirting? He could read her mind as he smiled sheepishly. "This is not me trying to convince you about anything. I reassure you.

She took his hand as he pulled her closer by holding her back. "You see, slow dancing is always about the rhythm and trust. Knowing each other closely and allowing a certain level of vulnerability to show to your partner.

He studied her face as he placed her arms around his shoulders. She stared at him, her eyes unreadably cold. They started moving slowly to the music.

"How do you trust someone with your vulnerability?"

He smiled at her question.

"You don't. They earn it."

He lightened his grip on her fingers.

© Suranya