Taylor

You would never expect in a million years that Michael would hurt you in any sort of way! He was a soft spoken boy, eager and friendly. Not to mention he was loyal as a dog and wasn't the most threatening physically. What did you have to fear?

Your previous dates had been safer. Milkshakes at their local diner, shopping at the mall, and a picnic in their school’s courtyard. But that fateful night had been different from the start. More… thrilling. You see, Michael was this big slasher movie fanatic. You didn't get all the fuss he made about those stupid movies. All of them were the same, a busty blonde and your dumb jock of a boyfriend stumble into someplace they shouldn't have, and then comes the fake blood and guts and screaming. How could he enjoy that stuff?

Still, his charm was persistent. “Come on, you’ll love this one! It’s different from the other ones, it’s interesting! I promise.” He beamed at you, both of his hands wrapped around your arm. You stood smushed between other groups and couples all waiting in the same line as they were for the cinema. You made a sound of disapproval. “Can’t we just watch something… I’m not sure, nicer?” you begged, your head falling to the wall of posters for the currently showing movies. You were locked onto the poster for a romantic drama, the paper couple wrapped in each other's arms, lips painfully inches away. Though Michael’s mind was set on a much different scene.

The revving of a chainsaw was painfully loud, echoing throughout the crowded theater. The blond shrieked as the once warm blood of your highschool lover splattered across your made-up face, your blue eyes wide with horror. “OH, GOD! OH NO!! PLEASE!”

You couldn’t stand it! You buried your face into Michael's jacketed shoulder. “How can you watch this!?” You stage-whispered to him. He was grinning ear to ear up at the screen. You could feel his jaw moving around the popcorn you hadn't even touched, and his chest twitching as he giggled. He was laughing! He craned his neck to lean into your ear. “No, no, this is the best part!” You could hear the delight in his voice. You just couldn’t stand it! He was acting a complete maniac. What happened to the sweet Michael you knew?

With a frustrated huff, you rose from your seat, and with prominent effort, scooted your way out of the row whilst still keeping your eyes away from the massacre happening on the big screen.

Michael’s brows furrowed. “Where are you going?” He called, though you was already halfway out of the door.

You shut the door behind you, the sudden whoosh of cold night air immediately prickling your skin. It felt nice- anything was better than being cooped up in that horrible theater anymore. You could still hear the theatrical screaming coming from behind you. Just the mere memory of that chainsaw slashing through fake flesh sent a shiver down your spine. Or maybe that was only the cold. You wrapped your arms around yourself, closing your eyes and breathing in the October wind. You allowed the feeling to calm over you, your eyes fluttering shut. Maybe you were overreacting. It was just a movie after all, what was there to be afraid of?

Fingers curled around your shoulder suddenly, and you practically jumped from your own skin. Your head whipped around at lightning speed, your hand already held up to defend yourself from whatever masked-killer dared to put their hands on you. Though instead, only Michael's wide eyed, grinning face greeted you. “What’s the problem?” He asked, smiling, his breathing clearly amused. His arms were open in surrender, seeing your obviously jumpy and terrified state.

You only stared back at him for a moment, your eyes blown wide as you recovered from your shock. “Michael?” You breathed, voice wavering. He only giggled, lowering his head before glancing back at you with those ever charming eyes of his. The eyes that had convinced you on this date in the first place. Instead of reassuring you as you hoped, he only bit his lip in delight at your fear.

“You were scared, weren't you?” He teased. You turned your head in stubbornness. You pouted, your face turned away from him with a childish persistence. “I was not scared.”

Michael’s smile widened, creeping up his face and crinkling his eyes. “You were scared.” He stated. You began to walk the opposite direction from the theater, and Michael was quick to follow, his footsteps following you closely like a loyal dog at your heel.

It was almost impossible not to notice the night sky. Above you, the world was dark and foggy, the specks of light blurred between navy blue. All except for the beautiful gold moon. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Michael whispered, his voice hoarse and soft, closer to your ear than you anticipated. His hands found your shoulders, snaking up your arms and gripping you close, close enough that he was pressed against your back. “Don’t you just love the night?”

When you dropped your head to gaze into his eyes, you saw the ecstatic grin plastered across his face, his eyes wide and slightly darker than you remembered. It was probably just the dark. Yes, it was getting pretty dark…

Without a response, you glanced down at the dainty watch in your wrist, a gift from your mother. It was already 9:30. “My, it’s getting late.” You said, the hairs on the back of your neck suddenly standing. Perhaps it was his breath.

Michael whined, his once eager face contorting into a look of disappointment. “Why?” He stepped in front of you, trailing his hands down to your hands, taking them into his own and bringing them to his own chest. “The night is just starting, my dear.” He murmured, his brown eyes locked onto yours as he raised your wrist with the charm of a prince, kissing the tips of your fingers lightly.

Despite the slightly uneasy wording, his charm sure was effective. You felt your cheeks flush at the sight of his boring eyes. That face that had taken you out, caressed you tentatively and charmed you submissive time and time again.

The comfort and beauty was familiar, though there was something different that possessed his figure tonight. A force of more confidence. Dangerous and seductive. It was a feeling that was so far off from typical sweet Michael, and yet fit him so well.

Michael suddenly perked from his depression, breaking their gaze to gaze up at the full, golden moon watching them from above. The way he watched the object was as if it was a familiar companion to him. Slowly, he peeled his eyes away from the sky back to your face. He had a thoughtful look on his face, curling his lips upward. “Why don’t we go for a walk?” He whispered with excitement, his eyes sparkling in the fog of the night. His emotions were so strong and quick to change. Jenny’s brows furrowed.

“A walk? I’m not sure, it’s getting quite late…” you muttered, glancing away at the growing shadows. Your rush had nothing to do with a curfew- your parents thought you were staying over at your best friend’s house for the night- but you couldn't deny the fear and unease that was blooming in your chest beside the excitement from Michael’s charm.

“It’ll be great! I just-“ He cut himself off, his eyes fluttering shut as he took a blissful deep breath in. “The night just feels so- so energizing! I don’t want it to end.”

Michael’s eyes locked onto hers for another persuading moment. His puppy dog eyes were extremely hard to deny. “I suppose a walk would be nice.” You smiled, partially forced. you just had to get rid of the underlying dread the night brought her. So youcould enjoy this night with Michael.

Besides, what could go wrong?