Page 4 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

As if on instinct, I roll the window down breathing in the cool autumn air. Tears threaten to fall. A warmth permeating my chest seeing all the familiar buildings.

The corner diner, a small gas station with the best cheese sticks you’ll ever find, and Burrow’s, the only place to buy groceries or household supplies for at least thirty miles.

Sadly, tonight I won’t see my favorite spot, The Gourmet Grimoire. A twenty-four-hour coffee shop. Dubbed GGs by the locals.

I used to question who would need coffee in the middle of the night. However, after my many long nights in Angel’s Rest filming plus editing videos and needing that extra boost of energy, it all made sense. The city had twenty-four-hour everything. Shops, bakeries, and restaurants, all catered toward vampires and demons.

I try, unsuccessfully, to switch my train of thought before I ruin GGs for myself. My mental checklist will thankfully bring me there tomorrow, as the coffee shop is located just next to Meisha’s salon. I don’t want to be stuck in my head about the paranormal the entire time I’m there.

They aren’t all bad. I try to remind myself, just the ones with sharp teeth. Meisha is a witch, after all. Perhaps she is working literal magic on my hair. However, asking my body, which is very much still in fight or flight mode, to differentiate between the species is impossible. Paranormal equals danger.

Although I desperately need Meisha’s services, now a vanilla latte and blueberry scone seems more important. They are my ultimate comfort items, and I’ve yet to find a latte that can rival Grimoire’s. I’ll stop in and grab she and myself one on the way and pray that the caffeine is enough motivation for her to squeeze me in for a color.

The click of the left blinker signals the last leg of my journey. Highway 18, Creekside Circle, and then my driveway. Adrenaline grows in the last few minutes, reaching a peak as the tires crunch against the gravel driveway.

Despite the overflow of joy, a chill creeps down my spine, bumps pebbling across my arms. The chances of Enzo following me here are practically nonexistent, but I can’t shake the unease clouding my mind.

Once I make it inside and confirm there’s no monsters in the dark, then I can breathe. Then I can rest.

Repeating my new mantra, I slide out of the car, leaving it running for now to allow the headlights’ shimmer to guide me. My steps slow to a halt at the flowerbed to the right of the door.

Kneeling, I count three stones over, carefully loosening the brick to reveal the strategically placed key. With the stone secure and snug, I turn the key in the lock and push the door open.

Hesitation envelops me. Gathering my strength, I rush in, flipping on the lights in the entry with a speed I didn’t know I possessed. My feet barely touch the floor as I dash through the house turning the rest of the lights on. Kitchen, living room, sunroom: clear. Pace slowing with relief, I check each of the four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

When building this house, I had multi-functionality in mind. Filming rooms, an office, reading area: all check. Being able to function as my dream studio? Yes, got it covered. If I were to have little ones? Check. Although that sentiment could not be further from my mind at present. I suppose three offices couldn’t hurt.

I’m satisfied with my findings of stale bread and a freshly made bed, courtesy of Mom keeping the house up for me in my absence.

I step back outside to turn off the rental car. After killing the engine, my body goes on autopilot, feet carrying me straight into the ensuite.

My body begs for a second shower. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I am happy to oblige. Few things could stand between me and a hot shower. Sleep is not one of them.

Eagerly twisting the handles to start the water, I spin around and once again come face to face with myself in the mirror. This time, the vision before me is far more alluring.

Color has returned to my skin and my eyes hold more of their usual honey-toned luster. My nose crinkles; the blond hair definitely needs to go. Steam fogs the mirror, my sign to step in.

Therapeutic heat seeps into my skin, relaxing my muscles and mind alike. Feeling like I could drift off standing up, I quickly go through the motions.

Rinsing away the last of the sudsy bubbles, my fingers thread through my hair as I take a few more moments letting the water glide over me.

As a yawn escapes, I turn off the shower and wrap myself in a fluffy dark green towel. The exhaustion of the trip, and of the last few years if I’m honest, weighs down on me. Dragging my feet, I step into the bedroom and barely manage to pull on some sweats before collapsing in the bed.

Although morning sunlight is peeking through the curtains, a soothing calmness blankets me. I am home safe and everything is as it should be.

Three

Amethyst

Ascream tears up my throat, but the sound does not escape. The bed sheets rustle as I raise up on my elbows. Through slitted eyes, my vision catches on the monster across from me, a menacing gleam in his eyes. He licks already blood-stained lips.

My limbs jerk as I pray to any entity that would listen to let me get away this time. The predator stalks toward me as I will myself to move. My pleading is useless as my body remains frozen in time.

Paralysis continues to ensnare me as he lowers those crimson fangs. “I haven’t yet had my fill, darling.” As the last word leaves his foul lips, fire erupts through my veins as the fangs meet their mark. Staring at the back of my eyelids, I try to drown out the pain. As if my prayers have suddenly been answered, a vision plays in my mind unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

The moon and stars sparkling on a river of crystal. The prismatic waters beckon me and a sense of belonging washes over me. As if this strange new place is a home long forgotten. Striding closer to the crystalline depths, my hands instinctively reach out; fingers gliding across the surface. Upon contact, my eyes burst open.

A golden light peeks through the curtains. I raise my hand to my chest while blinking away the deliriousness of sleep. Relief floods me as I take in my surroundings, realizing I am home. The black ceiling and the oak floor with the fluffy emerald rug. I brush my hand across the plush blanket I’m tucked under, scowling as I make eye contact with the blue-eyed wolf it displays.