The Rapture

As the car smoothly glides into the garage at Arlo's apartment, I quietly stir from my sleep. Arlo, mistaking my movement for simple restlessness, carefully lifts me from the car, carrying me up the stairs to the apartment lobby and into his penthouse.

The apartment is filled with a hushed twilight, the sunlight barely peeking through the black-tinted windows and the thin gaps on the sides of the blackout shades. It feels like a sanctuary, a haven from the harsh light of day.

Arlo carries me into his bedroom, his movements gentle and deliberate. He lays me down on the bed, the plush mattress yielding under my weight. With a tenderness that surprises me, he tucks the covers around me, ensuring I'm comfortable.

For a moment, I watch him as he moves around the room, adjusting the shades and dimming the lights even further. His silhouette against the soft glow of the city creates an image that is both comforting and unsettling. I'm drawn to his strength, and his quiet confidence, but I'm also wary of the power he holds over me.

As my eyelids grow heavy, I can't help but wonder what the future holds. I'm a vampire now, a creature of the night, bound to a world of shadows and secrets. And Arlo, my creator, my mentor, is my only guide through this treacherous new reality.

With a sigh, I surrender to the pull of sleep, trusting, for now, that he will keep me safe.

As I fall back into a deep sleep, the dream returns, Arlo's presence flooding my senses. It's no longer the soft, tender scene from before. This dream is charged with an undeniable intensity, a potent mix of desire and danger.

We're in a moonlit forest, the air alive with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. Arlo stands before me, his eyes glowing with an intensity that makes my heart race. He's no longer the gentle protector, but a predator, his gaze burning with a hunger that mirrors my newfound thirst.

He steps closer, his hand reaching out to trace the curve of my jaw. His touch sends a shiver down my spine, a mixture of fear and anticipation.

"You're beautiful, Evie," he murmurs, his voice a low growl that vibrates through my very being.

I can't tear my eyes away from his, mesmerized by the raw desire that dances in their depths. His other hand reaches out, his fingers trailing down my neck, across my collarbone, and lower, dipping into the neckline of my dress. His touch is electrifying, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume us both.

I gasp, my body arching involuntarily towards him. He pulls me closer, his lips hovering inches from mine. I can feel his breath on my skin, hot and intoxicating.

"You're mine now, Evie," he whispers, his voice a seductive promise. "And I'm going to show you just how good it can be."

His lips crash down on mine, a kiss that's both demanding and tender. I respond with equal fervor, my hands tangling in his hair as I pull him closer. The taste of him is intoxicating, a mix of danger and sweetness that leaves me craving more.

He breaks the kiss, his eyes searching mine. "Are you ready, Evie?" he asks, his voice husky with desire.

I nod, unable to speak, my body trembling with anticipation. He smiles a predatory grin that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Good," he murmurs, his voice a low growl. "Because I've been waiting for this for a very long time."

The dream fades, leaving me breathless and yearning. I open my eyes, and the sheets tangled around my limbs. My clothes twisted around and unconformable I rip them off. Only laying in my underwear I look around. The room is still dark, the silence broken only by the steady rhythm of my heartbeat.

I touch my lips, still tingling from the phantom kiss. The dream lingers, a tantalizing glimpse into a future I can't help but crave. But as the rays still filter through the blackout shades. I close my eyes again, desperately seeking to get back to that forest to be in that moment.

I fall back into the firm mattress, pulling the smooth sheets to cover my exposed skin returning to my deep slumber. Arlo's presence flooding my senses. But this time, the forest is not tranquil; it's alive with danger. We're being hunted, our pursuers unseen but their presence palpable, a chilling whisper on the wind.

We run, our bodies moving with a supernatural speed and grace that is both exhilarating and terrifying. Branches whip past, the forest floor a blur beneath our feet. The thrill of the chase mingles with the primal fear of being hunted, our hearts pounding in unison.

Finally, we reach a clearing, a momentary respite from the relentless pursuit. We collapse onto the soft moss, our chests heaving as we catch ourselves. The silence is heavy, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Arlo turns to me, his eyes glowing with an intensity that makes my blood sing. "We may not have much time," he murmurs his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine. "But I want to be with you, Evie. Even just for a moment."

I can't tear my gaze away from his, mesmerized by the raw desire that dances in their depths. A yearning for connection that transcends the fear and uncertainty of our situation.

He cups my face in his hands, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. His lips brush against mine, a tentative exploration that quickly ignites into a passionate inferno. The kiss is a symphony of sensations, his fangs grazing my lips, a thrilling reminder of our shared darkness.

I moan, my body arching into his, desperate for more. His hands roam over my curves, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume us both. I feel the cool smoothness of his skin against mine, the strength in his muscles, the steady beat of his heart beneath my fingertips.

He breaks the kiss, his eyes searching mine. "I want you, Evie," he whispers, his voice husky with desire. "I've wanted you since the moment I saw you."

The confession hangs in the air, charged with an intensity that steals my breath. I feel it too, the undeniable pull between us, the forbidden allure of his presence.

"But we can't," I protest, my voice barely a whisper. "Not now."

A shadow crosses his face, a flicker of pain in his eyes. "I know," he says, his voice heavy with regret. "But I can't let you go without..."

He trails off, his gaze dropping to my lips. I lean in, closing the distance between us. Our lips meet again, this time with a desperate urgency, a hunger that burns brighter than any fear.

We kiss as if it's our last moment on earth, our bodies entwined, our senses heightened. It's a dance of passion and surrender, a stolen moment of intimacy in the face of impending danger.

But as the first rays of twilight begin to pierce through shades a reminder that night is once again upon us, a cold reality intrudes. I awake surprised to see Arlo over me looking down on my exposed skin as the sheets do little to hide where they are left covering.