I’ve just had too much to drink that’s all, I’m imagining things.

A light chuckle carried on the air. Anna wheeled round. Someone’s stalking me. No, someone’s just playing a sick joke.

“Milo,” she called out to the darkness beyond.

It would be like her little brother to do something like this, to scare her half to death.

A sudden flap of wings crashed through the silence. Three bats ripped through the tree branches and soared into the night sky.

“Evening miss.”

It hadn’t been a bird rustling in the trees, or some wild animal, but a boy. She’d never seen him anyone like him before. It was as if a marble statue leaned between the trees, with rubies for eyes. Those rubies danced with delight as he gazed at her, his thin red lips stretched to a wide, maniacal grin.

Burnished bronze hair sparkled in the beam of moonlight that illuminated his angelic face, and the leather jacket he wore hugged his slim body beautifully.

As Anna opened her mouth to speak, the boy miraculously flickered out of view, as if he’d teleported. A second later he stood between two trees on the opposite side of clearing, still smiling.

He mimicked her sharp intake of breath when she realised where he’d gone, then flickered out of existence again, materialising between yet another pair of trees.

“You should not be out so late, little miss.” He spoke in a high, melodic voice.

“I…I was just going.” She found her voice at last, turning away and trying not to run as fast as she could.

He appeared directly before her, so close that she could feel his icy breath caress her face. It was pleasant and unsettling at the same time. She yelped and moved away, but he was suddenly behind her too. Anna realised where the odd sensation of misplaced air had come from as he moved.

“Do you think me beautiful, miss?” He cocked his angelic head to the side as he asked her.

Anna was so thrown off by his question she temporarily forgot her fear.

“I…yes, yes.” Anything to get away from you and back home.

“Shall we start a romance then, you and I?” His grin grew wider, needle-sharp teeth gleaming.

“What?” She knew her voice had become hysterical, this boy was obviously a lunatic.

Without warning, his arm blurred out and suddenly his hand cupped her chin. His touch was painfully cold.

“Hmmm, you are pretty, miss.” He studied her face in mock sincerity. “I should like to kiss those plump lips, would you grant me this boon?”

“Get away from me!” Anna screamed, her last shred of resolve eradicated.

Lightning quick, he struck. His slim hand appeared to only to brush her cheek, yet she crumpled to the ground like a rag doll.

“Oh come now miss,” he drawled. “A small token of affection was all I asked.”

Anna could feel blood inside her mouth, her heart hammered painfully, she couldn’t think straight. She stumbled to her feet, before running as fast as she could.