Claws of Insanity

By Rae Z. Ryans

Insanity wrapped its claws around her. After two gruesome attacks and evidence, which contradicts the laws of nature, she runs and starts her life anew. But when Gilly’s past weasels its way back into her life, she’s faced with a decision: Does she stick to her science, or does she take a leap of faith into the unknown?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rae Ryans
• Release date: Dec 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310263514

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Claws of Insanity

A Short Story by Rae Z. Ryans

Copyright Rae Z. Ryans 2013

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Acknowledgements

My Fans

Lynne

Michelle

My family

RavenTreeDesign

Gilly

I sat still as he passed my chair again. Every nerve fired, and the hairs stood straighter than a blade’s edge. The lingering scent of his peppery cologne tickled my nose and quirked the edges of my mouth. The smile spread over heating cheeks, and I did my best to hide emotion.

Ember remained one of those small towns on the outskirts of the metro, the type that had refused to change. Cobblestone sidewalks lined with old pecan trees, and each year they dropped their death defying bounty for walkers to skid upon. My ankle and pride burned from my earlier battle, but the ache compared little to him.

Exchanges spoken in passing had made the bulk of our conversations, as I couldn’t ever seem to muster the courage to say more. The sight and smell of him proved time and again too much for my senses. Oh, it had been for the best. At least that became my newest mantra because near the stranger or not, I thought of him daily.

My heart thrummed over the insane volume of Pitbull blasting on my iPhone, and I wiped the sweat beading on along my forehead. A full house tonight and the bowling alley packed the patrons in like sardines. Luck or punishment puts him next to me as the energy of his closeness caressed my skin.

The pins clattered as the bowling ball connected and sent them flying. Not a strike, but I’d learned and honed the skills every week. So had my mystery man who burned my blood with a single look of those baby blue eyes. Week by week, I’d found myself unable to endure the intensity of the gaze. He reserved the twinkle for me. The idea warred inside of me, but a distraction I hadn’t needed, yet each week I sought him out.

Tattoos crawled up his skin and twined over corded muscles. Blond hair dusted strong, angular features. A child’s dream to think Prince Charming wanted a simple Jane crossed with a geeky hippie.

The ball return moved slower than molasses and my fingers drummed over a denim-clad thigh. Oil and stale cigarettes coated the surfaces from years of neglect and burned my sensitive eyes. The lanes were stained, warped, and in a total state of FUBAR or fucked up beyond all recognition for the non-military fans. Ancient seemed like a better term since scoring required paper and pencil.

Ancient like my new cult classics, Saving Private Ryan remained my favorite, but A Clockwork Orange came a close second. Whether it was the raging psychosis or the evil darkness, I hadn’t cared. The movies spoke to me and shined a new light on my shrouded lonesome world.

A tap landed on my shoulder, and I faced his sky-blue gaze. The wide smile caught my breath, and I removed the pink earbuds. You missed your mark again.

Whatever grin I’d reflected earlier faltered and faded. He’d bothered me to point out the obvious; I sucked at bowling. The old desire to roll my eyes reared its head, but that Gillian no longer existed. Full of life and spark, no she’d died that night. Instead of garnishing him with a response, I grabbed for the warm beer and enjoyed a long hard swig. There wasn’t enough alcohol to calm my heart when the stranger’s eyes dwelled, not enough to repair the tattered remnants of my life.

The ball returned, clattering and knocking against his perfect florescent orange ball. The black house ball’s surface littered with gashes and reflected what hid beneath my surface. We were a perfect fit. I took my position and glanced at the lane marks. If they had a fancy name then I hadn’t known it. Eyes closed, and