As she gazed out from the taxi window the stranger's red lips curled upwards. The driver didn't ask for payment as he was anxious to get her out of his cab, he didn't know why, but the woman in the back seat sent shivers down his spine every time her dark eyes caught his in the mirror. Something deep within the black, soulles stare would gleam menacingly and cause his brow to sweat.

A leather boot hit the cobbled road as she stepped out elegently into the street, her movements like that of a cat and her stance important with a sense of dignity. No one else was around as she stood with her hands on her slender hips, her pale skin practically glowing as she looked around. Beneath her broad brimmed hat, her fair face was guarded and barrenly smooth of emotion. An odd fearful feeling was sticking to every inch of the deserted street. Every cobble, brick and pane of glass shrunk away as though terrified of an invisible demon. Though this fear was not of the strnger, no, the evil had come and gone already, leaving it's foul stench in it's wake. The city of Paris was in a deep smothering slumber, nothing but the almost inaudible whistle of the weak breeze that drifted against her bare neck. Not even the general buzz of life managed to escape the grip of fear that was draped over every house, street and bright shining star. Never before had the stranger seen such a thing, or heard so little in a city of such size, it almost scared her, yet she swallowed her concerns and walked soundlessly away from the road and down into an alley.

In amongst the deep shadows that concealed her oddly enchanting image, the stranger peered out at the deserted street before her. With a silent movement she pounced over to the other side of the street and prowled along, keeping fixedly to the overhanging dark that the surrounding buildings were providing ever so conveniently. As quiet as a ghost she came to a corner, her dark eyes glimmered ominously as they studied the open space, darting from one shadow to the next. Each looking as treacherous as the last. A movement beside her caught her praying eyes and she drew her knife with stunning speed, it's deadly point was aimed low and ready to kill at the slightest flex of her slim wrist. Yet her knife was in fact pointing only at an approaching cat, it leaned up against her leg purring happily as it licked the edge of the blade playfully. The stranger put her knife away, ducked down to pick up the cat carefully.

"Such a delicate little lady should not be out on such an unnaturally chilled night... with one so beautiful and fine... who knows what waits in the gloom to pounce upon your innocent little tail." she murmured as she gave the cat a single stroke, before she set it back down onto it's little grey paws to allow it to trot away, confused by the humans reaction to it's affection. As she watched after the cat the wind gave a sudden puff and went whistling past her round the corner, it too acting as though running from an invisible evil.

As she straightened up slowly the woman could feel her own fears creeping around, in amongst the cold air and still shadows. They threatened to rear their grotesque heads, baring their jagged teeth, always waiting to sink them into her heart and start the blinding panic, the panic that would sear through her veins, burning all caution to who would hear her screams.

The moon still shined brightly down, everything in its path having a strange glow and unnatural allure. Like an image from a ghost story it glared back at her. It had been a very long time since she had slept, the evening's pale light and cold air gave such temptation to her. Harshly she shook herself down and continued on, resisting slumber as though it were the forbidden fruit upon the tree of Eden. The knowledge of what would occur if she gave in was all too clear to her, the visions would return and with them: As would the nightmares.

As she continued to sneak through the thin streets and duck behind corners her heart rate remained the same calm steady pulse and soon she felt oddly safe in between the close walls, surrounding homes and bars. On reaching a small square, that breif and glorious moment of feeling safe was vanquished as she looked up at the clear sky. The cold air pressed against her upturned face, she felt a near by presence, friend or foe, she could not tell. Yet it was close by and watching her every move. Slowly her hand shifted down towards her knife once again. Just in case.

"Very odd," she thought aloud in an amused chuckle, "Someone spies upon a mere stranger in a city filled with a thousand unnamed souls. Why, I wonder, my coming causes such interest in this spies heart." she smirked lightly and scanned her surroundings for the ever watchful unseen. A whining sound whistled along the breeze suddenly, cutting through it's slow current like a hot knife through butter, slicing as it flew seamlessly straight. Her keen eyes darted right, catching sight of a sudden silver flash. In an instant she reached out and caught a small dagger with a thin and sharp blade, having been aimed for her heart by it's thrower. A disgruntled gasp sounded far off to her right, she laughed softly before she pocketed the dagger and dashed off in the direction of both where the blade had been thrown, and the huff had sounded.

Her footsteps lighter than the very air and her speed like lightning, she soon caught a glimpse of a running figure, retreating from her chase and seeking safety. Another light laugh seeped through her crimson lips and she ran mercilessly after them, certain of capture and with that: questions. As she ran, a few strands of blood red hair fell out from under her hat, and her long dark cape billowed like silk behind her. The figure turned and sprinted down a thin lane, looking back over his shoulder every so often, he panted as his chest grew tight. When he set eyes upon another corner her got ready to dive round it, but instead he felt his foot catch on something and fell flat onto the cobbled street, his nose smacking off the cold ground hard. A cat went running off hissing angrily at the sudden attack from a human shoe, it glared out from behind a barrel licking it's bruised nose carefully.

Little whimpers of despair squeaked from the man as he tried to steady himself and run off again. Though with every sin comes consequence, karma was knocking at his door and an ice cold point was pressed against his throat. He froze and was pulled up onto his sore knees. Warm breath wafted against the back of his neck, each hair responded by giving little twitches. Before he could breathe evenly, chilled lips were placed up next to his ear. As he swallowed the blade was run up and down his throat as a warning for him not to move a muscle, or the results would be all the more disturbing.

"Are you her?" he asked in a strained whisper. A chuckle gusted into his ear and sweat rolled down his forehead. If he had turned he would have seen a pearly white smile spreading across the beautiful face of his catcher. Her sweet scent was of apples and a fresh flowers bloom, it drifted around like blossom in the wind. Though he doubted her personality fitted such a sweet escence.