W h y B i t e M e ?

C h a p t e r E i g h t : T w i c e B i t t e n, O n c e S h y

B y : S e r p e n t s V a n i t y

My nails clawed at the surrounding walls; gouging out chunks of rock as every muscle in my body tensed and flexed beneath my skin. Pain like nothing I had felt racked my body and sent my knees trembling with the weight of my body. My lungs burned fire hot with the lack of oxygen and rasped in my rib cage, begging to be filled. I felt as if I had swallowed razors and they were stuck, digging in the more I tried to swallow. My eyes roamed wildly, trying to find Zackary, to ask what was happening but he was nowhere to be found. I had woken to this feeling and really wished I hadn’t. I wanted to scream, call out for someone, anyone but nothing was working the way I remembered. Just then, I threw back my head in another gut wrenching attempt to scream but a hiss escaped my mouth and I ripped more cement from the wall.

I could smell it somewhere; the blood. It was so strong and it danced on the tip of my tongue. It surrounded me; everywhere I turned it only seemed to get stronger. God, it was such torture, my head was spinning with it. My nose flared as it seemed to get closer, just a fraction but it was there. I drew in a breathe and my tongue swept out, dry, licking at my lips. No saliva, I was completely dehydrated. No wonder I was so weak. There was nothing in me anymore. No blood; I needed blood. Where had Zackary gone? I rose from my spot on the floor and stumbled to the middle of the room, looking to see where I was. I could hear voices. Far off, but they were there. Everything was so crystal clear; no fuzziness or fog clouding anything. It was all just…there.

I breathed in again, followed by another excuse for a scream. Do. Not. Breathe. I clutched my chest for a moment, steadying myself. I watched as I flexed my fingers, tightening the muscles, cracking bones and pulling tendons taut. I could feel all over it. Something that just happened before could now be felt in every part of me. I was hyper sensitive because of it; my back shifted, which pushed my lungs and I made me cringe in pain. Christ, this was difficult. I needed to get out. Door, I needed a door. How had I gotten in here? Where was I again? Why wasn’t I with Devon? So many questions, no answers and I could practically feel my brain leaking out my ears. I could hear them again; voices. Everywhere. I think I am finally going crazy.

It felt like everything was shifting in me. My bones, organs and anything else that was relatively important. It hurt like hell and it froze me to the spot. My eyes rolled back but it felt like sandpaper in my sockets. There was no moisture there, just dry and hollowed out. I needed to drink something. Anything to get me working right. Another rasping scream and the fangs split through my gums, spilling what little blood I had left in my system rushing into my mouth. I could tell that was the breaking point. I literally saw red and my fingers dug into any piece of me I could get at. I quickly cleaned my fingers of the scarce blood, becoming frustrated with how little there was and how much I thirsted for more.

I could smell more. In the very room; faint but it was there. I rushed to the bed, my fingers ripping into the sheets to find the dried blood from before. A roar of rage rattled my body, flinging the remnants of the cloth from the bed hastily and pounding on the bed in irritation. Damn it! Where could I get more? Just a little bit would be enough to quench this dry thirst. Then, again, the voices were right outside the door. I turned on my heels to stare at it, waiting it for it to open. I could smell the blood just behind its’ metal frame. I stalked toward it, listening, keen on knowing what was going to happen. Would they come in? Or were they just waiting? Waiting for the change to finish. I couldn’t wait that long. I needed something now. The pain was beginning to be too much and there was no possible way I could rough this out. My fists pounded into the metal door, large dents forming under the pressure and I hissed angrily.

Step away from the door, Serenity.

Why did he have to be in my head now, of all times? I didn’t need him acting as my conscience; I just wanted him to get his ass in here with something for me now! I could feel him worming his way through my thoughts and trying to break through to talk to me but I wasn’t having it. Why hadn’t it been this easy to fight him off before? My nails kept clawing at the door, peeling the metal back and getting me closer to them; the blood. Then pain. That damned pain I feel whenever Zackary wants control. It didn’t matter now, though. He only added to what I was feeling and my body was already going numb from that.

Get back now, Serenity!

I stumbled back as his voice made my head dizzy; it was so loud. Even if the words weren’t spoken in the open. The door creaked on its hinges as it was pushed open, to Zackary moving in through the small crack he made in the door. At first he just looked at me, not saying anything, just staring me down. He moved closer bit by bit. Even if it was only tiny movements, I noticed them. I could smell him and how bitter he was. The cautious movements he made and how scared he was; scared of me. This made me chuckle a little under my breath, or lack thereof.

“Serenity, you need to stay back. We’re going to help you.”

I growled at him with intense ferocity. There was something about him that was just grinding on me. The way he looked but I noticed it was the scent he was giving off. Like blood but it smelt old; dead. It wasn’t bad but it had smelt better before, sweeter and more inviting. He took a step toward me and I crouched down, teetering on the edge of attack. I couldn’t understand why I was so defensive; it was like pure animal instinct was taking over.

“Either stop on your own, or we’ll stop you ourselves, Serenity. Your choice.”

Hardly, I thought to myself. It wasn’t me behind the wheel anymore. Everything I did, I did purely because that’s the way I was reacting. There was no sense in it. I was just protecting myself. From god knows what really. I’m not sure because I could tell Zackary had brought me what I wanted. This made me happy and excited me to the point that I could feel tiny waves of electricity buzz through me. But here I was, ready to attack him if he got any closer and he seemed to be pushing his luck, taking small steps toward me.

Someone was behind Zackary, and I noticed it was Phillip. He was holding the packets of blood in his hands and it drew my attention immediately. I pounced. My legs pushed me so fast from the ground I didn’t even feel myself move. The bones in my hands stretched out, pulling the muscle beneath to a point of almost ripping it open; that’s how desperate I was to have it. I didn’t get very far mind you, Zackary and a few others appeared, grabbing me by my arms and torso and slamming me onto the stone floor. I thrashed, my clawed hands digging in and ripping apart whatever they landed on, much to the unfortunate demise of the flesh I was tearing into.

Serenity!

Get out of my head, get out now. I kept repeating it. He wasn’t helping, only making me more irate. I could see Phillip, standing back, yelling at Zackary about something but keeping the blood as far from me as he could. My jaw clinked as my teeth clamped and unclamped together, my tongue slithering wildly about, while my throat hissed out a scream. Just give it to me. Simple. Easy.

Not so easy, Serenity. Calm down.

Calm, think calm. It’s not that simple. Right… It’s not that simple. I tried to breathe, if you could call it that. I had to think about it. And I mean really think about it, to get my body to stop quaking and fighting against everyone around. I was getting there. I could feel the damp, cold stone pressing onto almost every part of me now. My muscles fell lax against the straining hands above me and the looks on everyone’s faces were more at ease. I twitched a few times as Phillip edged closer, but did my best to ignore his presence all together.

“That’s it, Serenity. Keep calm, now.”

Oh, shut up. It was bad enough I had to concentrate on myself, let alone his lame attempts to do it.

“Phillip, bring it here please.” said Zackary, his foot pressing unpleasantly into my chest.

I watched as Phillip peeked past the door and down to me, eyes wide in fright as I twitched on the floor, desperate to drink down the packet of blood he held.

“Couldn’t we have left her for a bit longer? Let her calm down a bit?” he asked timidly, stepping over me.

“You know we can’t wait long or she dies.”

“Funny, that didn’t happen on the train, though.” Phillip said almost sarcastically.

At that, Zackary glared and him and clicked his teeth. “Thank you for your insight, Phillip.”

“You know me, Zack, always trying to help.”

I growled, lunging forward to swipe at Phillip. Big mistake. A handful of people appeared from nowhere and I was pinned to the ground in seconds. I squirmed, jaw snapping and hands pressing with all force to keep me against the floor. I saw a few heads turn to Zack, him rolling his eyes and leaving slowly, with one last glance at me.

The others were talking above me, saying things in a hushed tone so I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Voices echoed in my head, bleeding thoughts scrambled around so I couldn’t make out what they were. All they were were simply shadows; dark figures behind a cloud of mental smoke. It hurt. Too many thoughts at once. Zackary had to stop letting things into my head, it was too much. With a quick burst of energy, I ripped an arm from one of the men beside me and swung out, claiming chunks of skin beneath my finger nails.

Chaos ensued; men scrambling to hold me down but whatever was in my head was driving me insane. Ebbing on the edge of my vision, my eyes watered and burned, my heart beating so rapidly in my chest that I could hear the pulse in my ears. I screamed, in pain this time, my limbs thrashing beneath the hold of countless fingers while eyes beamed down on me, watching intently.

I heard footsteps in the distance, rushing in almost a run towards the room. They sped up, emerging from behind the wall, revealing Zackary holding what looked like a gun in hand. He moved closer, holding the gun steadily in front of him and I could feel more than visualize how I had lost it. I heard bones breaking as my hands grasped at whatever I could get a hold of, my legs kicking out and connecting with a face or two. I could smell the blood of opened wounds and it drove me wild. The sound alone of pumping hearts of panic was like music to my ears. A smile crept onto my face and Zackary stood stalk still, calm as ever, pointing the gun at me.

I was too quick for him. I was on him in seconds, teeth sinking into skin and blood filling my mouth. I heard yell, maybe at me, maybe at someone else, but it was just more noise in my head.

Then it stopped.

Everything just stopped. All the noise in my head, the taste of blood; everything stopped. I couldn’t feel the pumping of blood and the pulse in my ear was no longer. I stepped back, my hand clutching at my chest that now felt too tight and too small for everything inside of it. My eyes drifted to Zackary’s and he seemed to be frowning almost, only it was with his eyes, not his face. His face was placid, following me as I fell to my knees. I could feel it in my hands; a little ornament buried in my chest and the smoke filtered from the gun in Zackary’s hand.

I’m sorry, Serenity.

I watched the scene around me fade. Just like the night back on the train. Only this time, it would be the last time I died.

* * *

A heaviness felt as though it had settled on my chest and my eyes were sewn shut. All my limbs were dead weights when I tried to move them and my nose twitched at the scents around me. The bed sank beside me and I finally opened my eyes, blinking a few times to get moisture into them.

“Hey, you’re finally awake.”

That wasn’t Zackary. I looked over to see Phillip smiling at me and holding up a vial to me.

“We were getting worried you weren’t going to wake up.” He said, laughing under his breath.

“So, when you say ‘we’, you mean you, right?” I said, raising my eyebrows to him.

“You caught me.” He chuckled and held out the vial closer to me. “You need to take this. Zackary wanted to be here to make sure everything went well but he has some things he has to take care of. So, I filled in.”

“Thanks, I guess.” I said, grabbing the vile from his hands. “So, what is this exactly?”

“It’s just a stabilizer.” One look of scepticism and he was shaking his head. “Honest. It’s nothing else. After your changing, we had to pump you full of blood since you were passed out. This is just to make sure your hunger is under control.”

I trusted him. Either way, it wasn’t like anything else could happen. With one tilt back, the vial was empty and I was gulping back the thick liquid in seconds. Tasted a bit like black liquorice and Buckley’s cough syrup. Nothing horrible but not a great combination either. A few moments later a powerful wave sent me spinning and I was flat on my back, shaking off the dizzy spell.

“It’ll do that to you. Since there isn’t liquid in your body to absorb it like it use to, you get the effect much faster.”

“No kidding.” I breathed out. “So what was so important that Zackary had to disappear.”

Phillip squirmed a bit where he sat and then got up, shaking his head.

“I can’t say anything. He asked for me to wait until he got back to tell you himself.”

“Not even a hint?” I pushed, smiling.

“Don’t do that to me, Serenity.” He said, running his hands over his face in what would seem like an attempt to hide from me.

“Whatever. It’s not like I’m going to go chase after him or something. Just figured he’d want to be here when his beloved baby woke up, is all.”

“You suck.” Phillip said bluntly.

“What?”

“He went out with a group for feeding. And since he had to be there, I had to be here.” He blurted it out so fast I could barely hear him.

But I still caught it.

“You didn’t have to tell me. I wasn’t that desperate to know.”

He sighed and fell quiet. I stared at him for a few minutes, wondering if he was going to leave or not, or if he was required to watch over me until Zackary got back. Great, just what I wanted; a babysitter. I sat up slowly, waiting to see if another dose of vertigo would hit but I sat up fully and I felt fine, thankfully. My senses were clearer now. Everything was entirely overwhelming and was hitting me in waves. Phillip was the most intoxicating though. At least, he was the closest thing to me that I could smell. I wasn’t sure if it was the cologne he was wearing or just him in general but he smelt delicious nonetheless.

“Uh, Serenity, you’re getting a tad close, aren’t you.”

“What?”

I hadn’t realized how I had slowly leaned over and now my face was buried in Phillip’s chest, smothering myself in his shirt. I leaned back, looking past my lashes and up to his face. I watched him swallow hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat and his tongue darting out to sweep a thin line over his lips. He anchored me from moving closer with his hands, steadying me on my shoulders.

“C’mon, Serenity. I think you should lay back down.” He said this while pushing me back, trying to force me to the mattress.

I laughed a little at this and pulled him toward me, stretching the fabric of his shirt with a forcible tearing of cotton.

“You’re making me horny, Phil.”

He didn’t say anything to that just looked at me, wide eyed and brow bunched together tightly. He mumbled something and his nostrils flared; I assumed his was bad talking Zackary again. I laughed loudly, catching Phillip off guard and pulled him onto the bed. He tumbled forward, hands splayed out on either side of my head and doing his best not to fall over me completely. He let go of a steady breath, a smile coming to his lips as he shook his, a short laugh escaping his throat.

“This is the exact reason Zack is suppose to be here.” He said quietly.

“Why would I want Zackary here, of all people?”

He snorted at that, eyes pinched in a laugh. “Because he’s your maker and he’s supposed to deal with you like…this. This is the time when you’re suppose to bond with your maker and solidify what you two have. It’s not my place.”

I smiled lazily, fisting my fingers in his shirt and yanking him down. “Well, I really don’t mind and clearly Zackary left me in your hands for a reason.”

“Yes, those were clearly his intentions.” He said sarcastically.

We both filled the room with our laughter. Phillip rolled from atop of me and lay sprawled out, the faintness of his laughter still playing on his lips. I found his eyes with my own, his brow knitted together slightly and he looked like he was mulling over something in his head.

“If you have something to say, just spit it out.”

He huffed. “If it were that easy, I would’ve brought it up already.”

“Well, now that it’s out, just say it.”

“Fine then; your brother wanted to come here today. To see if you were okay.”

“Oh.” I didn’t know what else could be said.

“Yeah. He feels responsible.” He said, almost like a stab of warning.

“Yeah, well,” I chirped out slowly. “I’m not repairing his bruised conscience. Let ‘im beat himself up.”

Maybe I was being a bit harsh, but I wasn’t ready to forgive him yet. Not with everything else going on. And even if he was family, he fucked up and I wasn’t going to just brush it off as if it was alright, what he did. He was going to have to work for it. And a mere apology and desire to see me wasn’t going to make me turn this leaf.

“Now that isn’t far, Serenity.” Phillip bit out. “You don’t have to make him feel worse than he already does. At least he’s putting forth an effort.”

“I’m not making him feel worse; I’m just not going to make him feel better either.”

A growl gurgled in Phillips throat, sending my eyes darting to him.

“You need to stop being so bitter, Serenity. It’s over with, nothing can be changed.”

I wasn’t in the mood to be lectured about this. Especially not by Phil, of all people. I had respect for him and understood what he was trying to do, but now was not the best time.

“Can we just drop it right now? I can…talk with Mark later.” I said finally, hoping I was getting my point across.

He hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

“Fine.” He sounded defeated. “I suppose talking with him is a start.”

Phillip slipped effortlessly off the bed and walked around towards the door, his hand held out stretched to me. I took the hint and followed suit, bouncing off the bed. Another hit of vertigo hitting me, causing my knees to shake and stumble on my way to him. Luckily, he caught me by my elbows and steadied me, a smile gracing my features in a silent thank you.

“I’m going to go find out where Zackary is at the moment. And since I have been told to take care of you, I must bring you along.”

I nodded in compliance. “Alright, I can’t fight with that. I wouldn’t mind stretching my legs anyway. Plus, maybe we can get something to eat in this joint. I’m starved.”

At this, Phillip almost doubled over in a fit of laughter but I didn’t get what was so funny about that. After a few minutes he composed himself and waved his hand in what I assumed was him telling me to forget about it. Alright with me. Odd sense of humour he had.

“Sorry about that. Anyway, we can go to the kitchen to find something. There is always something there.” He said, holding out his arm. “Shall we go?”

“Uhh… Sure.” His formality made me feel a little awkward.

I must’ve realized it because he put his arm down, bowing his a tad. “I’m sorry, old habits die hard.”

“And here I thought this whole dying experience was easy.” I laughed but he simply rolled his eyes in amusement. “So, how do you plan to contact him anyway?”

“By calling him.” He said curtly.

We started down one of the many corridors of the house, turning down one hall and then to the next. This place was literally like a labyrinth and I had no idea how I was ever going to manage getting around. I could only imagine that it would take a decade to figure out where everything was, much less just getting to your own room. I sighed to myself, picturing what it would be like living here. I knew eventually I would have to move in myself. Though, I suppose I could always take over my mother’s house. It was far enough away that I would have time to myself and away from this life if I needed it.

Right, my mother

I thought to myself. She had to be freaking out! Oh Christ, what if she had called Devon. Fuck, what about Devon. I hadn’t even let the idea slip into mind until now. What had happened to him last night? Where had he ended up? I remember him driving off after the whole shebang but then what? I had to call him; get to talk to him somehow. But what was I going to say? Sorry for ripping your neck out, it won’t happen again? That would fly like pigs. Oh god, I had to call home. Let my mom know where I was. I would have to make up an excuse later.

“You okay, Serenity?”

Phillips question broke my mental bantering and I looked up to see him staring quizzically over his shoulder.

“Just fine. Just my mind wandering is all.” I said.

He seemed convinced enough and left it at that. The silence didn’t help to kill my racing thoughts and with nothing to keep me occupied, it only furthered my worries. With that aside, everything else was fading back into focus and I was just beginning to notice all the affects being a vampyre had. Everything was sharper and I could hear pretty much all the noises the house and its inhabitants were making. It seemed like we were moving so slowly and I wondered if I had ever noticed things like this before or if this was a direct result of the change. Of that, I couldn’t be sure, but it was interesting to feel like everything was being magnified under a microscope.

With a sharp turn of Phillip’s heel, we were making our way down the front hall staircase and past the vast front entrance. We came to what looked like a very large lounge or maybe even the house living room. It was fairly large but looked unused; the sofas firm and wood tables unmarked. As I stared, Phillip took it upon himself to leave me be and picked up the cordless phone, the dialling tone pierced the air as he begun to phone Zackary.

He must’ve gotten through because a moment later, he was speaking quietly into the receiver of the phone and moving to the opposite end of the room. But I’m sure he was aware that wouldn’t stop me from hearing; not now.

“Hello Zackary. Yes, she’s fine. Mhm, yes, will do.” He fell silent and I picked up Zackary say something about being back in a few minutes. “Alright, see you then. Clean up before you come, by the way.”

As quick as it began, it ended and he hung the phone up, setting it back on its stand.

“So,” Phillip started. “Would you like to get something to eat now?”

I thought for a moment and then remembered. “Would you mind if I made a call to someone?”

He seemed as though he was about to question it for a moment but thankfully didn’t butt in.

“Sure that should be fine.”

I practically ran to the phone, pressing into the number keys with unnecessary force and held it to my ear, hoping my mother would pick up. It rang a few times, more than my mother would usually let it go for and I thought maybe she was out looking for me. I was about to hang up on the last ring when my mothers’ voice sung out over the receiver and she asked who it was hastily.

“Hey mom, it’s me. I’m so sorry I haven’t called.”

I could hear the breath she had been holding escape her chest.

“God, Serenity! You had no idea what I thought happened.” She said, but I had a hunch. “Where have you been? I tried to call Devon but he isn’t picking up his phone and I don’t know anyone else you hang out with, so I had no idea who to call.”

“Mom…” She kept rambling to herself, not hearing me. “Mom…Mom!”

That caught her attention, her voice squeaking into a silent huff and it sank in how hard I sounded over the phone; my own voice right in my ear.

“Mom, I’m so sorry I didn’t call.” I said, sincere as I could be. “Dev and I… We got into a bit of a spat last night, so he ended up leaving early. A friend I know from school ended up letting me crash at their place because it was too late to drive me all the way home.”

“You still should’ve called!” She all but yelled at me.

She had a point. I should have but it’s not like I can explain to her the actual reason I didn’t call. That would bring up too many questions and I didn’t need that at the moment.

“When will you be home? And you better say sometime soon.”

I laughed inwardly. I could tell my mother was trying her best to be a hard ass but it wasn’t in her nature to be a mean person. Even when it was deserved.

“I can be home within the hour, max two. I just need to finish some stuff up with my friend and I’ll call you before I leave.” I said. “I promise.”

“You better, young lady. Or I will deliver an ass whooping you can’t even dream up.”

I snorted but went with it. “Sure thing, Mom. And again, I’m really sorry.”

“Alright, sweetie, see you in a bit.”

“Bye, Mom.”

I clicked the phone down on the hook and spun to watch as Phillip leaned against the door frame, motioning me to come to him. I obeyed and he dipped out of the room, falling from my sight, so I sped up to find him walking a little ways ahead but slow enough for me not to get lost. A scent like no other overwhelmed my sense and I felt my head reeling at the sensation that swept over me. When I rounded the corner, Phillip was waiting for me and sitting at the end of a long table, sipping from a mug.

“I can’t stay long.” I said.

Phillip only nodded and pointed to a second mug sitting on the surface of the table. I walked over, taking it up in my hands and then taking a sip. It felt like my belly had instantly been filled and I down the rest of the glass without a second thought. I felt better; not so sickly empty anymore. I licked at the dab of liquid at the corner of my mouth and popped it in my mouth, enjoying the last bit of the taste. Sighing, I dropped the empty mug on the table and turned to leave.

“I have to leave now.” I stressed it. I had already made my mother worry long enough.

“You should maybe wait for Zackary to get back first.” He said. “He shouldn’t be too long. You can have another drink before you go. It might be a good idea; especially if you’re going home.”

I looked into the mug, the red residue pooling at the bottom and it hit me what I had just drank. “I, uh… Sure, I’ll have another.”

“Good. You need more in your system.” He said, disappearing into another room. “And don’t worry; Zackary should be back in a matter of minutes.”

“Worry isn’t how I would describe it.” I smirked, and he returned, passing me the newly filled mug.

“You need to start showing Zackary a little more respect, Serenity.” His playful tone had disappeared now.

I gulped back more of my drink, thinking a bit to myself. “Yeah, I guess.”

He shook his head, clearly not amused. “Not ‘you guess’, Serenity. No matter how much you may hate him, he has the power to make things all that much worse for you.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Sure, I could disagree but I didn’t really know anything of this world. What Zackary was capable of, I was unsure, but after the few episodes of him weeding his way into my mind, I was sure I didn’t want to press it. Feeling my mouth dry, I swallowed the rest of my drink and lapped at my teeth for bits I had missed. In the back of my mind, I was wondering who this blood had belonged to and how they had gotten it.

The floor rattled a bit and I could hear the main door being opened and closed as people made their way into the house. It was time for me to take my leave and get home to my mother. I walked through the halls, trying my best to remember the way I had got in here. It wasn’t that far in, sure, but the way everything twists and turns make it confusing as hell. Luckily, my memory did its job this time and I found myself walking towards a group of people I hardly knew. I scanned for Zackary but couldn’t find him; cursing under my breath that I had lost him.

The hair on the back of my neck prickled as it stood on end and my muscles twitched as I felt him ebbing near. A breath, shaky and needy left my mouth, leaving my throat dry and parched. It was an attraction I was feeling. Or that was as best as I could describe it. I had felt like this with Devon before and it was like an insistent tug on my whole being. In moments he was leaning over my shoulder, eyes piercing into mine.

“I need to leave.” I didn’t leave room for argument and his brow raised a tad in what could be perceived as annoyance.

“May I ask why?” He said.

“Are you just being polite or am I going to have to tell you anyway.”

“The latter.”

I hissed but held my tongue from any sarcastic remarks. “My mother would like to see me. Since I didn’t come home last night.”

“Hmm.” He nodded in acknowledgement and watched as the people in the front all dispersed, leaving through different doors and staircases. “That may not be a good idea.”

“Regardless. I need to go see her. She needs some reassurance that I’m okay.”

“That’s understandable. I’ll go with you then.”

That was the part I was hoping to avoid. I think he could tell I didn’t agree but chose to ignore it and slipped his jacket back over his shoulders. I could smell something on him; different even. He smelt stronger than I remembered; fresher. Then I caught it; fresh blood. He had gone feeding today. I cringed at the thought. I wondered if they had attacked another train or maybe they had changed the scene. Either way, it disturbed me, as much as the thought of draining something dry at the moment seemed enticing.

“Should we leave now, then?”

“I’m coming too!” Phillip yelled, as he came running out from the hall.

Zackary looked at me, as if asking me if it were alright. I found that a little ironic, since he always seemed to invite himself whenever I was going somewhere. Nonetheless, I nodded and Phillip seemed giddy to be leaving the house. Then it dawned on me that the people here might not get out very often; that I was not looking forward to. Hopefully, I could stay living at home with my mom. How I was going to work that out, was beyond me.

When we walked out of the house, a car was already waiting for us and I figured I was just going to have to get use to these people being catered to all the time. This time though, Zackary was driving and Phillip tried to take the passenger seat but I beat him to it. He pouted and said he was a guy and shouldn’t be sitting in the back but his complaints fell on deaf ears as Zackary and I climbed into the car. Phillip mumbled in the back but the roar of the engine soon took over and I felt a pleasant thrill run through my body as Zackary put the car in drive and his foot on the floor put the car in motion.

I rolled my window down, the air beating against the car sending my hair into a flurry of motion; whipping and blowing wildly around my face. I could smell so many bodies on the air, it was making my mouth salivate with venom and crave another glass of blood. Christ, how was I going to deal with being around my mother for a couple of minutes?

It wasn’t long before we were in front of my house, walking up the front step and opening the door to go in. My mother was in the kitchen and looked up from what she was doing when I opened the door. She smiled and ran to me before I could get even a foot in the door, wrapping her lanky arms around my neck. Oh god, I was going to kill her. She wasn’t as strong as I thought she would be but my nose was trapped in her neck and I could feel her pulse beat against my cheek. When she let go, I breathed in and forced a smile but kept my lips closed as I could feel my fangs press into the flesh of my gums.

“You got home fast. Usually when you say an hour, you mean three.” She laughed walking back into the house and waving for us to come in.

I grabbed the frame of the door to take off my shoes and almost screamed when the skin on my fingers literally started to peel back. A hand clapped over my lips in time before a moan tore through my throat and I pulled my hand out of the door frame.

“You have to be invited in.” Zackary whispered in my ear.

I spun my head, wide eyed. “But this is my home!” I hissed.

His eyes softened and he shook his head. “Not anymore.”

Phillip took up his cue and smiled, calling out to my mother. “Is it alright if we come in? We wouldn’t be intruding would we?”

My mother poked her head from behind the stair banister and laughed. “What a silly question. Of course you can come in. All of you, please, have a seat if you’d like.”

Phillip went in first; nothing happened. Funny how a few words can make it so you don’t peel like an apple. Zackary went next and tugged me behind him. A stumbled after him but found my footing and almost felt like crying. It was almost like I wasn’t even walking into my own home.

“When’re you going to call Devon, Serenity?” My mom said, snapping me out of daze.

“Uh… Not sure. Later.” I said. “And he hasn’t called right?”

My mom shook her head and I plopped down on the couch, Zackary sitting far too close to me and Phillip falling back into the love seat. It was silent and my mom peered quizzically at us and I felt like telling her she was being rude but Zackary’s abrupt motion caught my eye and distracted me.

“Phil, I think we should probably go. They’re going to be wanting us back at the house and I’m sure Mrs. Lunacy would like Ren to herself tonight.” He stated and I wanted to punch him for using my nickname. That was Devon’s thing.

Phillip sighed. “I suppose. We’ll see you at school anyway.”

Oh shit, I hadn’t even thought about that!

My mom came out, shaking her hands and asking them to stay, telling them it wasn’t necessary they leave. But, Zackary insisted and she told them they would have to come back over sometime. Maybe with the driver that had come last time.

“Walk your friends to the door Serenity. What have I taught you?” She scowled.

I got up from my place and stood at the door, not stepping out in fear I would have to be re-invited in. Zackary started his car with the little remote on his key ring and turned to face me. I was already starting to feel hungry again and I could tell Zackary knew as well, because he leaned him, sniffing at my face and getting dangerously close to my lips. I simply breathed out and he breathed in, swallowing the hunger I felt.

“I shall see you at school then?” He asked, my eyes opening from the lull they had fallen to.

“I can’t be left alone with her, Zackary. I can’t.”

Phillip turned to face me then too. “You won’t hurt her, Serenity. She’s your mother and for that fact alone, you won’t hurt her.”

“I’m glad you’re sure of that.” I mused sarcastically. “And school is going to be impossible. I’ll end up killing Sharon just for fun.”

“Well I’ll make sure you have better things to feed off of.” Zackary smiled, turning away from me and climbing down my porch.

“How chivalrous of you. Heaven forbid I don’t get a nutritious meal.”

Zackary laughed; the first time I’d ever heard it but it sounded almost familiar to me. “Well something poisoned like Sharon will only make you sick.”

“That’s what we have Phillip for, isn’t it? He’s the doctor.”

Phillip rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in defeat.

“That’s right, be the first of our kind to get food poisoning. Just great.” He said, mumbling under his breath again and sliding into the passenger seat.

Zackary looked back, waving at my mother who darted out to wave them goodbye.

“See you at school tomorrow, Serenity.”

I didn’t even get a chance to throw in a sarcastic comment he was already in the car and driving off.