Victim

Jessie screamed. Claws raked down her back; needle-sharp teeth punctured her neck.

"HELP!! HELP!! I'm… ARGH!!!"

Steps thumped towards her as she collapsed. Her attacker leapt away and vanished into the night.

"Lady, you OK? What's the matter?"

"I… something hit me…"

She put a hand up to the back of her neck – it was wet, sticky, and now her hand was dark with the stuff.

"God, lady, you're bleeding? What the hell did that, a dog?"

She frowned, looked at the blood on her hand, and swayed.

"Lemme call trip