ย the light stings and they can feel the remnant of burning heat from judeโs proximity. their head throbs and pounds and they grit their teeth. outwardly they keep their composure, but they canโt stop the way the shadows open up and swallow an unlucky passerby without warning.ย
in the gray haze of a near hidden sun their eyes look like pools of impossible black. like holes.ย
the darkness laps at judeโs feet, almost seeming to dissolve into steam against her. just as frigid as the glasses she plucked from their face.ย
โ consider it as a warning.ย โย
theyโre voice is steady, cold, but in truth theyโre shaken. moreso by the lack of guilt they feel than by the life they just snuffed out. stillโฆ itโs not encouraging to lose control like that. not after so many years trying to suppress it all.ย
โ now would you mind giving me back my glasses?ย โ
โOf course,โ Sheโs still wearing that sharp, sharp smile. Jude studies Ramzaโs face as she holds the glasses out for them; the impossible darkness of their eyes. Sheโs met several of the Darkโs acolytes but can safely say sheโs seen nothing like them before. Color her intrigued! But further probing into what and who Ramza is can wait. Theyโre here about a mutual friend, after all.
โOur dear Olivia was born with a rare and precious gift, as Iโm sure you have noticed, one that needs to be tended to carefully and diligently. We just want to see that her flame is fed.โ Jude pulls another cigarette out of the carton with her teeth and lets it light itself. Sheโs never taken her eyes off Ramzaโs, gaze cold and intense,ย โOr do you want to see that flame go out? Because I assure you. If she doesnโt feed that flame, it will go out, and it's going to take her with it.โ
Jude sighs, dramatic, wistful almost.ย โBesides, would you like to see her grow up like you? Lost and confused? Out of control?โ the womanโs head tilts, expression a mask of vague and insincere sympathy, โTell me, Ramza, your childhood street, everyone who lived there, was that a โwarningโ too?โ