Blood & Juniper

I continue to stare at her like a fool, forgetting everything else. This can't be really happening.

She holds out something to me, it's my phone. She gives me a sweet smile, "You've dropped this."

Her voice is just as lovely as her appearance. It's captivating and completely impossible.

I'm dreaming, I'm one hundred percent dreaming. There is no chance a woman like this is real and barefoot and talking to me after I just got attacked by another cracked out lady.

This is how they paint depictions of angels and goddesses. Real people don't look like her. Why do I have this sense of knowing her?

I blink multiple times but she doesn't go away.

She asks with a tilt of her head, "Are you hurt?"

"No, no. I'm fine," I think I'm fine. I shake my head and realize there is blood streaked across her rosy lips and cheek.

I blurt out in alarm, "You're bleeding!"

I stretch out a hand mindlessly and she steps back slightly. I recoil immediately, I don't want to freak her out.

"Oh," she chuckles and wipes at her face, "It's ok, it's not mine."

I just stare at her stupidly, that's a weird thing to say and laugh about. I find a napkin hiding in one of my pockets and hold it out for her. I don't know what else to do.

"Thank you," she says lifting a delicate hand to take the napkin. She wipes her hands and face.

"If you're hurt let me call the police," I recall the crazy event that took place, even if I don't completely understand it. I reach for my phone, "I need to report that addict and whoever else she was with. Come with me, we need to get somewhere safe."

"There's no need to call the authorities."

"There is. There's some really dangerous woman out here and possibly someone else. Please, let me see my phone."

"Tell you what," she grins, "I'll let you call them if you can explain to me what just happened?"

I furrow my brows at her. I don't… I'm starting to doubt myself. Am I going crazy?

She chuckles at my confusion, "Trust me. I've taken care of it. Do you trust me?"

"... I'm not sure."

She laughs harder, "Good, that's very good."

She slips my phone into my pocket, I wouldn't have noticed if she didn't make the gesture obvious. It's as if she pickpocketed but gave instead of stole.

Her eyes are dazzling and her finger reach out to brush my cheek with a sigh. How can she be so beautiful? Why is this moment so familiar? This has happened before. What is going on?

Her breath is cool as she c.a.r.e.s.ses my face. Her fingers brush like silk sheets.

"Who are you? Do I know you from somewhere?"

She c.o.c.ks an eyebrow, "Do you?"

"Do you know… Me?"

I'm holding her hand against my face. Her hand is so small and soft… And cold, very cold.

I look about her and it occurs to me she's wearing so little out in this frigid weather, "It's freezing out here, why aren't you wearing a jacket? Or shoes!"

I start to unzip my jacket but she places her hand on my c.h.e.s.t to stop me, "I'm fine, Dominic. Keep it on."

I stop, puzzled, "So you do know me. Have we met?" I furrow my brows and almost whisper, "Have you been following me?"

She stares into my eyes without an answer. She's been the one following me, hasn't she? Why doesn't that bother me? It only bothers me that she hasn't come up to me sooner.

But she *knows* me. And I? This is starting to frustrate me, why can't I remember where I know her from?

She glances to the side, "I must leave you. Go home and get some rest."

"Wait, where are you going? Will I see you again?"

What am I doing? I don't know this woman, but I don't want her to leave. I don't think so, anyway.

"I have things I must attend to. We'll see each other again," her smile is rueful, "I can't seem to stay away from you."

I grab her by the hand and pull her close. Why am I so drawn to her? I *don't* want to let her go. What is the matter with me?

"At least tell me your name."

She surveys out in the darkness then looks back to me. Her eyes seem to be… Glowing? No, no, that's absurd. I seriously need some sleep.

Suddenly she's pressed to my c.h.e.s.t, her haunting eyes are incandescent and passionate. She holds my face, and raises on the balls of her feet.

Her lips press gently into mine.

My lungs stop working for a second. I curl my arms around the stranger and kiss her back. Shouldn't I be pushing her away?

My heart is pounding in my c.h.e.s.t, it's a closed mouth kiss but I can taste her and her flavor is incredible. Her lips are soft, perfect. They ruin every other kiss I'd experienced. I think I may have a heart attack, it's nearly overwhelming.

I want her, now. Here, right now, anywhere! I have to have her.

Why am I being so impulsive? Don't care, I just need it, need her, every bit of her.

But to my disappointment she pulls away, looking about as dazed as I am.

Her expression quickly grows somber, she gives me a sad smile, "Goodbye, Dominic."

"Stay," it's a breathless but almost a demand. She's awakened something in me I wasn't even aware of.

She stares at something behind me. I glance over my shoulder and see nothing.

She's gone when I look back. Gone! Gone? That was a fraction of a second.

I search for her desperately. I dart into the road and look all around. Gone…

Was she really here at all?

I press my fingers to my lips, they have a strange coolness from that otherworldly kiss. Am I going mad?

After failing to find the mystery woman, I reluctantly journey the rest of the way home. I look back every so often hoping to see her, I don't.

I stumble inside, lock the door and crash on my bed.

I stare into the ceiling for a great while, such a bl.u.s.ter of emotions is eating at me. What just happened? Who was that? I have to find her again. I search the maze in the ceiling for answers that aren't there. That kind of woman only exists in dreams.

An epiphany, something dawns on me. My mouth drops open and eyes flare wide.

I *had* seen her before. In fact, I see her most every night in my recurring dream.