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It’s freezing on the roof but Kima likes it better than the lights and pulsing music of the New Year’s party. The city is lit up and laid out in front of her.
There’s a thin, low-lying fog, or maybe just haze, but it dulls the edges of the buildings and gives the whole view a sort of impressionist look that she really likes.
If only she had her camera.
She heaves a sigh and rubs her head to fight the start of her hangover that is trying to creep in at the edges. A new year. Or a whole year gone and what to show for it?
Her job still sucks, but it makes ends meet. She’s still hours away from her family. She has a girlfriend now for the first time since leaving her tiny town where she was the singular lesbian. Not that May acts like they are dating half the time. Things all in all could be a lot worse, but she still hates how every day seems to bleed into the next to the point that weeks just seem to slip by without her notice.
It’s probably closer to 11 than 10 by then and she heaves a sigh. Maybe something will change this year. Although, with her luck, the only thing to happen would be all the Y2K nonsense being real and all technology was going to crap out and brick itself at midnight.
That would suck pretty bad.
She heaves a sigh and her hot breath makes a long cloud of condensation.
She’s not sure what makes her look over her shoulder but she does and notices the woman in a dark blue peacoat and black leggings. She has a scarf but no gloves and she looks like she should be freezing given the weather but she doesn’t seem to notice. Kima’s nose is probably red and ready to drip with the chill but the leggy blond woman doesn’t have the slightest pink to her nose or cheeks.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize that someone else was up here. Didn’t mean to block your view.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Aren’t you cold?” Kima can’t help but ask. Her lack of layers is making Kima want to shiver.
“Not really. I’m used to it by now.” She gives Kima a tight smile
“Suit yourself. If you’re that drunk though you’re gonna be super cold when you sober up.”
She laughs a little. “I’m not drunk. At least not that badly. What’s brought you up here away from the party?”
“I was just enjoying the skyline. Trying to decide if it feels more like Camille Pissarro or Claud Monet.”
“Normally when talking about impressionists people have to include Van Gogh.”
“I like his art, but clouds and fog are a softer sort of thing than his work. Are you an art buff?”
“Not particularly. I appreciate art, but I only know artists or phases of art superficially. And honestly, I was thinking it looks more like a watercolor than traditional oil on canvas.”
“I could see that. I’m Kima, what’s your name?”
“Allura.” She says with a smile and her teeth are a brilliant white in a beautiful smile. “Did you come to the party alone or is someone going to be angry with you for missing the ball drop?”
“My girlfriend…maybe.” Kima leans forward and rests her elbow on the bricks of the roof. May probably hadn’t even noticed that she was missing yet.
“You came with your girlfriend and she let you slink off so close to midnight? Isn't she worried that someone will steal your midnight kiss?”Allura leans a tiny bit closer and grins at Kima.
“Ah, she’s got nothing to worry about and she knows it. I’m not the kind of girl to cheat on her or betray her trust. You’re beautiful, really, but I’m a one partner kind of woman.”
“A rare breed these days. She’s a very lucky woman to have a partner like you.”
“Yeah. Stupid question. Do you think I’m lucky to have someone like her? What am I saying? You don’t know her, how would you tell?” Kima rakes her hands through her hair and groans.
“I can tell you care about her, and if I had to guess you care about her more than she does you. If you’re unhappy then you should leave her. You’re handsome, sweet, and personable if you can just strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Your girlfriend is using your loyalty against you and I think that is a shame.”
“Yeah, maybe…I just don’t know anymore. And I’m not exactly personable. You’re just remarkably easy to talk to.”
“Most people wouldn’t agree. They find me aloof or intimidating.”
“You look like you can be, but it’s a New Year’s party. We’re not even shooting off fireworks; what’s the worst that could happen?”
Something in Allura’s face changes and Kima unconsciously tilts her head, curious at the sad look on her face.
“Plenty could potentially happen. The world is a dangerous place filled with dangerous people.” She leans back from Kima and there’s a noise like a low rumble of an engine or maybe a growl.
Kima sits up a little straighter trying to think of where the noise could have come from if not the woman sitting next to her.
“What was that?”
“Your warning to get back inside and to your girlfriend who maybe doesn’t love you. I’m awfully hungry, but for a loyal girl like you, I’ll try to restrain myself. Walk, don’t run, and get inside. You’ll be safe since no one asked me in.” Her voice is strained and her lips pull back into the beginnings of a snarl to reveal her brilliant white teeth and the long canines that look almost like fangs.
Kima stood up and backed away, nearly tripping on a low pipe. “What are you?”
“I am trying to be nice to you since you seem like a good person.” She stood up and took a slow, deliberate step towards Kima.
Kima’s back hit the wall and she shook her head.
“Why not go inside where you are safe?” Allura sounds almost pleading as she takes another few steps towards Kima.
“I—I—“ Allura is right in front of her now, well over a foot taller than Kima in her heels, and gorgeous as a carved statue in the glow of the moon and streetlights.
“It’s nearly midnight. Nearly a new millennium. You should go make the most of it.” She leans forward and kisses Kima’s cheek, body straining from the effort of restraining herself.
Kima closes her eyes and feels Allura’s freezing cold hand touch her neck. “After a while, all the new years stack up and blend together. This one, I think, will be memorable though.” She leans in and kisses Kima. Her red lips are soft even if they are cold as ice and Kima’s eyes slip closed as she tenses and waits to be eaten, or killed, or worse.
“Happy millennium, Kima. May this be your best year so far.”
No bite comes. As quickly as she’d come, Allura was gone with no trace. It takes several moments for her ears to work again amid the panic and realize the cacophony of noise is the sound of people celebrating the new year in the bar below.