As pretty girls often do, Beth knew someone was watching her. The breeze-soft tickle on her neck and arms alerted her to the occult admiration. In clubs, at the gym, or on campus the feeling would bring a smile to her wide lips. She would scan her surroundings until she found the eyes watching her. She would pass her judgment and then with a coy look invite, or with a moue of distaste discourage.

Now, however, the slithery touch quickened her pace. She tugged the single earplug from her ear and focused all of her hearing on the quiet of the park. Only the rhythmic patting of her running shoes broke the silence. Still she knew someone followed.

Maybe running in the park hadn't been the best idea, but the treadmills had been full when she finished her circuit. The green and fragrant park with the miles of ribbon-like paths seemed to call out, tempting her to brave the early twilight for the finishing touch to an otherwise wonderful workout.

She turned left on the next cross-trail, and glanced back the way she'd come. Not a sign or a flicker of movement betrayed another presence. Pushing a little harder, Beth sprinted toward the park entrance. By the light of a street lamp, she saw a patrol car pause in its travels. A floodlight cut the darkness and further lighted her path. A deep feeling of relief filled her clenched soul as a broad-shouldered figure climbed out of the car and placed a distinctively shaped cap on his head.

No more than a hundred yards separated them, too far to see the cop's face, but something in his sudden movement reflected her fears. Behind her, he saw whoever pursued and he ran towards her.

A hand--with fingers long enough to encircle her throat--jerked her to a stop. Beth gripped one fist with the other, stooped, and drove her elbow back into the attacker's groin. She was prepared for anything but the low amused chuckle. The fingers tightened, and lifted her--not just from her crouch, but also from her feet. A shout from the policeman produced another rumble of laughter. Beth kicked and connected with her heels, feeling the solid impact through the soles of her well cushioned shoes into her calves and ankles.

A bass grumble whispered, "Playtime later, little one. I look forward to your squirming." He shook her, and she grabbed the fingers, digging her nails into the sleek skin as hard as she could. Her knuckles popped with the effort, but the grip tightened enough to change her struggle from gaining release to merely dislodging the noose of fingers long enough to draw a complete breath.

The cop drew his gun and shouted, "Police! Release her ... I'm armed and will shoot." Though her vision had become spotted and gray, Beth saw the cop drop to one knee and steady his weapon for a shot.

"We don't need him, sweetness. I'll be everything for you." The soft gentle tone made the statement somehow more frightening.

Beth would never be able to describe the next moment, though she would witness the same horror many times again. A white-toned noise engulfed them, and a beam of purple-black light lanced out. The cop writhed in the unnatural ray, and turned inside out as neatly as a cloth bag--one filled with raw meat and bones.

The hand twisted her rag-doll body to face her attacker. Yellow eyes registered in the moment before she fainted. Yeah, running in the park had been a bad idea.