Fallen (Chronicles of the Fallen, #1)

Walking into her bathroom, she flicks on the light. The light lavender walls surround her, the pedestal sink holds her toothbrush and mouthwash. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she notices the dark circles under her eyes. Leaning in, she takes a closer look, bringing a finger up to touch the bags. “Wonderful.” Pulling back, she looks at her medicine cabinet. Pulling it open, the door blocking her view from the mirror, she grasps a bottle of Tylenol. Shaking out two tablets, she replaces the lid and sets it back inside. Shutting the door to the cabinet, she screams at the reflection of a man standing behind her. His features are hidden except for the glow of his red eyes and a smirk on his lips.

Smoke surrounds his body in an otherwise black environment. Her mouth is suddenly dry, the fear pounding on her chest prevents her from screaming. As hyperventilation takes over, she drops the Tylenol and grabs hold of the sink. Panting, she turns quickly to face her attacker, but no one is there. Her eyes dart to the door, then towards her shower curtain; no one’s around but her. Her heart still racing, she grasps the sink and leans against it. Staring at the space behind her, save for the bathroom cabinet filled with linens and towels, she is alone.

Closing her eyes, she swallows against her dry throat…and her fear. She turns back to look in the mirror and only sees herself. Sighing softly, she bends over to pick up the Tylenol. The hooded man appears in the mirror again. He smirks and whispers, “Lisa…” The mirror fogs up as a sadistic laugh leaves his lips.

His voice is not heard by her as she rights herself back up. His image disappears, leaving a film of fog in his wake. Looking at herself in the mirror, she gasps and her heart races again. She backs away until her back presses against the wall behind her. Feeling her body tremble, she closes her eyes and counts to ten in an attempt to control her breathing. Opening her eyes again, she only sees herself in the reflection. Her breath still shallow, she tilts her head up against the wall, wondering if she’s having residual effects from the dream.

Stepping back towards the sink, her eyes continue to look in the mirror, scared that whatever that thing was will reappear if she looks away. Picking up the glass on her sink, she fills it up with water. Popping the two Tylenol into her mouth, she swallows them down, then grabs her toothbrush and brushes her teeth. Rinsing her mouth out, she puts her toothbrush and glass back on the sink.

Stepping towards the shower, she stares at the curtain. “I’m being ridiculous,” she tells herself.

Grasping the curtain, she takes a deep breath and yanks it back, revealing her tub and shower. The clean, white tile with shampoo, conditioner, and body soap sitting in a shower caddy, her loofah hanging in wait. Shaking her head, her mind still rattled, she turns back towards her mirror, but only sees the reflection of her bathroom. Turning back towards the tub, she turns on the shower and pulls the curtain closed. Pulling her pajamas off, she places them in the hamper as steam from the shower begins to fill the bathroom. She turns the water from hot to medium and steps in, closing the curtain around her.

As the water runs down her body, her hair becomes saturated. She closes her eyes as images of the man with the red eyes replay over and over in her mind. She begins to wash, then condition her hair. Running her hands through her hair, she tries to get her mind off of whatever is mind-fucking her tonight. Picking up her loofah, she squeezes body soap onto it, running it over her body. As she rinses the soap off, her mind begins to wander as it drifts into a fog.

The water running into the tub begins to shift, taking shape. Fingers erupt from the water, and gently begin moving up her feet and over her ankles. The touch is light and seductive. She turns her back to the showerhead as the fingers turn into hands. Moving up her body, they gently grasp her arms. The water from the showerhead begins shifting, forming arms that extend out from the hands. A chest, waist, legs, and head begin to solidify. The clear water begins to change to more of a flesh tone. Dark brown hair forms on the head of the man standing with her. He’s naked and he gently presses against her. His hands move around her body, his chest presses against her back, and his hardened length presses against her ass. She gasps as his hands move to her breasts, kneading them gently. He presses a kiss against her shoulder. Leaning back into him, she feels one hand move from her breast and float down her abdomen. Reaching her sensitive skin, his fingers press between her folds. His hand grips her thigh and he pulls it up, lifting it to rest on the side of the tub. Gliding his hand back down the inside of her thigh, he begins circular motions on her mound. She moans as his length presses hard against her. He growls into her ear and his teeth nip her neck.

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