Can it be the ring? Can that be the catalyst for this madness taking over every waking hour? I did not properly cleanse it before I wore it, so…..
A few days earlier……..
Leighondra gazed through the glass case in the pawn shop, not believing what she saw: there, in solid gold, was a ring bearing the Seal of Sagittarius, her birth sign. The center was coin-shaped with the constellation mapped out in raised relief, with the astrological symbol of the arrow and bow to the right, the symbol for the ruling planet Jupiter on the left. Settled between the constellation and the arrow was a small topaz cabochon. Around the perimeter of the circle were the numbers three [at twelve o'clock position], six [at four o'clock] and four [at the eight o'clock] totaling thirteen, her lucky number. The sides bore and image of an archer kneeling, bow strung, ready to fire.
She caught the eye of the lady behind the counter, who smiled and walked up to her. "May I help you?"
"That ring there," Leighondra said, tapping the glass, "it's mine."
The lady smiled, opening the case and bringing out the ring, seeming to know exactly which one. "Regaining something lost?"
Leighondra frowned a little at the lady's question. "Acquiring something new."
"Ah." The lady walked over to the register, Leighondra following. "That will be sixty dollars."
Leighondra handed over her cash. The lady was about to put it in the box, but Leighondra protested. "I think I'll wear it, thank you."
As she put it on her right ring finger, she was startled as it appeared to almost conform to her finger. Strange, she thought, rings never fit me this good right out of the case.
"Your receipt, ma'am?"
The lady handed her the receipt, knocking Leighondra out of her reverie. She thanked her and walked out the door, heading through the park- her "forest" to her apartment. It was so close and such a nice day, she felt like enjoying the walk. Lost in thought, she did not notice the branch of the thorn bush in her path and yelped when the thorns raked against her hand.
"Well damn!" Leighondra examined her hand to find the top of her fingers cut, blood seeping onto and under her new ring. "Just got this!"
Crimson eyes pierced the darkness, a rumble escaping the beast's throat. It was not yet time to awaken, yet something had called the beast- something he had not felt for centuries. Growling, he rose from his slumber, determined to discover who had disturbed his repose.
