Birdie

 

Rain fell in waves over a small sleepy town. The streets were devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of pedestrians and passersby, most opting to splurge for a cab in this sort of weather. A few people rushed by, hunched over, desperate to avoid the rain. 

Birdie Schmidt walked slowly, admiring the way the water made the pavement shine. She loved the rain. Some people gave her strange looks, which she supposed was fair, since she wore only a short summer dress, despite the cold. 

Birdie was on her way home from work, and swung her purse gleefully as she hopped over puddles. She was very glad to be done for today. 

She was nearly halfway home when she noticed a strange man following her. He did not rush through the bad weather as the others on the street did, but rather, walked with a steady determination. He wore a black raincoat with the hood up, hiding his face. Birdie glanced over her shoulder a few times, and noticed he did in fact seem to be following her, even when she took an unexpected turn. 

Birdie felt her heart pounding. What was this man’s plan? She wondered. Was he really following her? 

Best to lead him astray, she thought. It would be foolish to lead him to her home. 

Birdie took odd turn after odd turn, slowly leading the man farther from her destination. She wasn’t sure where she was headed at this point, but it didn’t matter. She was still enjoying the rain.

The man followed her diligently still, with no signs of stopping. Finally, Birdie had had enough. She turned to face him, shoulders squared. 

The man came to a halt five feet away from her. He raised his head slowly, revealing his face. He was nothing special, Birdie thought. Rather plain looking. Probably in his late forties.

The man looked confused.

“Why were you following me?” Birdie inquired. She crossed her arms. 

The man chuckled. Birdie supposed she did look silly, standing there in the rain, trying to look imposing while only being barely five-foot-three. 

“Well?” she pressed. 

The man shrugged. 

Birdie didn’t really need an answer. She had seen plenty of men like this before. She knew what his thoughts held, and she didn’t like it. 

“I don’t think you were following me for any good deed,” Birdie said. 

The man frowned. 

“I think you wanted something from me,” she said. She advanced towards him. The man stepped back, despite her small stature. “Did you want to kill me? Take me for your own? Sleep with me?”

The man didn’t reply. Birdie could see he was considering running away. What a coward.

Birdie took a final step forward, now face-to-face with him. “You picked the wrong girl,” she whispered. She grinned, revealing long, sparkling fangs.

The man screamed, but it was too late. Birdie plunged her teeth into his neck, and he was quickly silenced. She pushed him away when she was finished, disgusted. She didn’t like drinking these ones, but she felt it was only right. Why should she let these predators run free? 

Birdie skipped the rest of the way home, the rain washing away the bloodstains on her dress and face. She smiled to herself. She loved the rain.