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"I don't really know how to start this. I'm trapped. I’m scared. I don't know if I'll make it out of here, and I don't think I have much time. I'll try to make this quick. Mom and Dad, I love you. I love you so, so much. You are the best parents I could have asked for, and Aaron, I know we fight and bicker and I know I pick on you a lot, but that's just because I love you. I remember when you were born. You looked just like Dad, and I was so happy to finally get to meet you. Aaron, please, finish school, go to a good university, find somebody nice and marry them, be happy. I love you, little brother."
"Michael, I don't know how this happened. We were supposed to have more time. The last time I saw you I know we fought. I never meant the things I said. You probably already know that, though. Do you remember what I said to you that day we met? Before I got on that bus I said, if I’m meant to see you again, then I will. I will find you, I promise you, and I will do whatever I can to get back to you. " My eyes blurred with the tears that flowed from them, my grip on my phone as tight as it could be.
"I love you." The words spilled from my lips as my phone screen turned dark. I could barely see my face in the reflection. Emotions tore through me like a dull and rusty blade through my skin. Fear. Hopelessness, sadness, regret. If Kat or anyone had seen me in their visions, they would have gotten to me already. How didn’t they see me? I didn’t want to die. I have so much to live for now, so much to do and see. And Michael, oh God, Michael. I didn’t want to lose him, and I didn’t want him to lose me. After such a long life filled with chaos, heartbreak and misery, he deserved to finally find happiness. I hope he finds it after I... after me. A quick shot of pain struck through my leg, and I adjusted my lower half carefully to avoid any strain. As I did, I heard a slight clink, and I looked at the ground.
Oh my God. A vial of blood: Michael’s blood. He’d given me a few when I broke my arm and said it was my choice if I wanted to heal with it. Oh, God. If I drank it, I could become a vampire. Was there enough for that? I couldn't be sure. It was enough to heal, so it had to be enough to turn, right? That’s why he wanted me to be careful with it. If I didn't drink it, I would surely die. Nobody even knew I was out here. It would be hours, maybe even days, before they did. How would Michael react? He probably expected it to be gone by now. I'd honestly forgotten about it, forgot I stuffed it in my jacket pocket offhandedly, intending to leave it in my room. His insistence on not wanting to watch me suffer was one of the few reasons I'd taken it. And, well, having a broken arm hurts like hell. I didn't have a choice.
If I came back, I'd be a newborn. If I came back, I'd have what we fought about in the first place. I hadn't ever imagined it’d be like this. I thought Michael would be there with me at the very least. Not some life-or-death situation. I suppose that was foolish of me to assume, considering my life up to this point.
My stiff fingers worked to twist off the lid of the small vial. Hesitantly, I brought the container to my nose and sniffed. The strong scent of iron assaulted me and I flinched, almost spilling it trying to get it away from my face. I knew what his blood tasted like, and it was completely unlike the smell. I guess I’d just have to hold my breath. I breathed in deeply and I held the container to my lips, squeezing my eyes shut as I downed it like the shot it was. The taste was as strong as ever, and sweet in only the way his blood could be. I guess I did it. I couldn't take back my decision now. I just hoped, as my eyes fluttered shut and my body grew weak, that Michael didn't worry too much.
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The burning and constant contracting of my muscles were what I noticed first. I wasn't exactly conscious, but I could feel the aching in my body. And... a voice? No, whistling. I could barely make it out through the pain I was feeling. I whimpered as my arms tensed and my muscles trembled under the strain they were under. The pain was so unbearable that the only thing my body knew what to do was tense up, but that almost made it worse, as if it could become worse. I tried to fight it, but I knew it was inevitable that I would lose. But I had to do something. It was purely instinctual. My body wouldn't let me stop, even if I wanted to just let the burning take me.
What happened to me? This burning -this pain- I didn't understand. Michael had explained to me once upon a time how it’d felt for him to change. He'd said it was a horrible agony. I'd never felt anything I could compare to agony. Florence’s teeth shredding through my throat was likely the closest thing that I had. Is this what agony feels like? My answer was undoubtedly yes. If it wasn't, I never wanted to experience it.
Where was Michael? If something happened, he should be here with me, by my side, telling me everything was going to be alright. I strained to listen to anything and anyone, but I heard nothing. Even the whistling had stopped. Another fresh wave of burning misery tore through me, and I strained to keep my mouth shut. Nothing but the emptiness of my soft cries could be heard. My arm twitched and smacked into something soft. My body strained, and I noticed my consciousness slowly returning. My eyes were squeezed tightly shut, and my head was arched up as I waited out the wave of pain in me. When it finally subsided, I opened my eyes. Darkness, unsurprisingly. I felt around me at the soft wall where my hand had hit before. Oh, God. This wasn't - no. Oh, God. They buried me. Michael buried me. Does that mean I’m dead? I certainly felt like death, but no. He just thinks I am. He thinks I'm dead. Oh no.
I steadily put my hands over the top of my head and gave a little push. I felt some give. It was fresh, then. I had no idea how long I'd been down here, but the loose dirt was a good sign. I pushed again, harder this time, and I heard the wood squeal in protest. It lifted, and dirt poured in on top of me as I pushed it to the other side. I felt the weight of the dry soil on me, but it was almost like nothing. I knew it should have been more, and that it should have been a bigger deal. But my only concern was getting out. I dug my way up slowly until I felt my hand poke through to the surface.
For a second, I felt nothing but a cool breeze. And then, it burned. It’s almost worse than the burn of what I know to be venom coursing through my veins. I abruptly pulled my hand back and saw some light poke through the hole my hand had gone through, before being filled back up with fallen dirt. The sun. It was true then, even if I didn't understand the how part. I was a vampire. Where was Michael? Where was everybody? Surely Kathrine would have seen this. Micah, somebody. I had no idea of knowing what time it was. But I sure as hell didn't want to stay buried in this hole. I had to chance it. I had to dig my way out fast, and then hopefully find shelter somewhere just as hastily.
As quickly as I could manage, I shoved my arm above the surface and used all my strength to pull myself up. As soon as my skin had exposure to the sun, I could feel the warmth, but it didn't stop at warm. It just kept getting hotter and hotter, until I could barely stand the burn anymore. I surveyed my surroundings, and thank God, there was a large tree very close to my burial place. I mustered all the strength I had left and tried to run to get cover. I tripped once, twice, before I finally got beneath the tree and collapsed under the weight of my heavy limbs. The relief was palpable and almost instantaneous. I lay there under the tree, panting with my eyes squeezed shut.
Slowly, I peeled my eyes open to look around. It was just morning, dawn barely rising over the horizon. That's probably why I'm not dead right now. Wait-I know this graveyard. Laura and I drove to it a few times when she first lost her grandmother. I knew this place. It wasn't too far from John’s house.
John ... he could help me! If only I could get there fast enough. I couldn't wait much longer. If I did, I'd be a goner to the scorching afternoon sun. My body felt weak, and the remnants of the venom in my veins still burned through me. Though the fire had calmed, it wasn't completely out. How far was it? I tried to remember. It was along the main road, a couple of blocks from here. I could do this. The few seconds my body was in the sun were horrendously pain-filled. I had to stick through it. Right. Remember, Evie. A right after the blue house, straight ahead, then turn at the third left and his house was on the right. I can do this. I breathed in deeply and decidedly tucked my arms into my shirt. Unfortunately, it was white and almost sheer. It would have to do. Okay.
I inhaled a deep breath and took off into the fastest sprint I could and tried not to let myself get distracted by the pain of the morning rays. A right at the blue house. There were sporadic moments of shade, moments I so badly wanted to bask in but knew I couldn't. I had to keep going. One foot in front of the other, as fast as I could. The pain began to be overwhelming, but I could see the street I needed to turn down. It was coming. I pushed myself further, turning and running as fast as I could to the front door, which was in direct sunlight, lucky for me.
Pushing my arms through the holes in my shirt, I tried to turn the knob and push, but the door wouldn't budge. No way! Come on! I pushed harder, the burning intensifying as I whimpered my plea to whatever God was out there.
To my luck it opened, and I felt myself being yanked inside by my neck and pressed roughly against a wall. I cried out as my throat was restricted, my hands clawing desperately at the hand that was clutched tightly around my neck. "Who are you?" A man growled out. I opened my eyes and was met with a man with black eyes and grey veins throbbing beneath the surface. Not a man, a vampire. "E-Evie!" I choked out, struggling against his hold. It was fruitless. Even if I had been stronger, which I admit I was very weak now, I probably wouldn't have been able to fight. "Why are you here?" He growled out. His grip loosened a fraction, enough for me to get enough air to speak. "I’m looking for my friend. John." I was so tired.
Pulling myself out of my grave, running through the sun. My body hadn't ever run that fast before, and I just wanted to be okay. I wanted to find John, find Michael, and get everything taken care of. Tears formed in my eyes. My luck was so rotten. My lip quivered.
"Wait." The stranger looked at me closely. "Evie, as in O’Shea? I nodded as best I could. His hand loosened, and I nearly collapsed as my legs crumbled beneath me. I would have fallen if not for the strange vampire in John’s house, who caught and steadied me. "Woah, there." His large hands held me up from under my armpits for a moment.
I sighed heavily, and my eyes blurred for a moment. "I know enough about my kind to know you’re a newbie. Who’s your sire?" My mind raced. Sire? Who? Who was it? I don't know. I don't remember.
I shook my head from the effort. "I don't know." He looked at me skeptically but nodded slowly. "Have you fed? I’m guessing not, since you’re practically dead on your feet." He looked at me up and down, gesturing with his hand. Without letting me respond, he spoke up again. "It’s not as good as the real thing, but we don't need you to lose control on us, do we?" He brought his wrist to his mouth, and I watched his front fangs extend as he bit down roughly.
The smell was what hit me first. It was... it was delicious. My mind went haywire, and the desire to taste, to drink, and to devour overtook me. There was a dull, throbbing pain in my gums, and I felt my front teeth extend, and winced slightly.
My mind and body were yelling at me to do something, to take the man’s wrist and never let go until I had my fill of his blood. That's what I wanted and needed. He turned his wrist, and as if time had slowed down, I could see the blood dripping from his wrist. He moved it so that it was directly in front of my face. I was breathing heavily, mesmerized by the look and the scent. My heavy eyes wandered to his, and he gave me an encouraging look. "Go ahead." That was all I needed.
I surged forward and haphazardly sank my fangs into his wrist. Warmth, sweetness, and pleasure flooded my senses. Uncontrollable, overwhelming bliss and relief as I swallowed mouthful after mouthful. I felt liquid dripping down my lips and some down my neck, but I didn't care. After a couple of seconds the pleasure lessened, and I got closer to being able to contain myself. It was still hot and delicious, but the pleasure didn't overtake my senses and make me feel as though I would combust. My skin also itched, but in a way I knew was good.
"Ah ah, there we are." I opened my half-lidded eyes and made eye contact with the strange brunette again. My fangs were still embedded in his wrist. Drowsiness seemed to settle in my bones before I could even think to pull away. I pulled my head away from his wrist and panted harshly.
"Thanks," I mumbled. "You’re welcome, but just so you know, that won’t tie you over for long. And you haven’t completed the process quite yet. You’ll need human blood directly to do that. This blood," he held up his hand and wiggled his fingers, "came from a human, and that’s really all that matters for now." I nodded slowly, my mind taking a second to process what he was saying. It felt like there was a fog over my thoughts, they were sluggish and I found it harder and harder to concentrate. I felt drained, ironically enough. I staggered my way into the living room, carefully avoiding the sun peeking through the front curtains, I might add, and sat down on one of the couches.
"Why am I so tired?" I slurred softly, blinking up at the stranger impassively. He turned to me, his head turned in question. "This was never explained to you?" He asked gently. I shook my head. "Mmmm." I shook my head. "I should call your vampires. If they truly didn’t know about this, they have to now." He said mostly to himself as he pulled out his phone.
My consciousness ebbed and flowed, decreasing and increasing randomly. I heard his voice. "We have a... situation. It’s better if you see for yourself." I didn't want to focus on his voice, I’d much rather sleep. Yes, sleep. Time passing felt meaningless. My stomach felt full, and the burning in my veins had dulled to nothing but a slight buzz that was almost more soothing than it was annoying. Some small noises passed through me and registered with my brain. His voice again. "I know what you said, but you need to come to see this.." his voice faded "-really very important to come to see this, Michael...."
Michael... Michael! I was looking for him, I think. Yes! And John. They could help me. I opened my eyes and turned toward the sound of his voice. His back was turned to me and he was still talking. I felt around until both of my hands gripped the arm of the couch, and I pulled myself to my feet. He must have heard the sound of my steps, because the second I stood, he was there beside me, still on the phone. "Hey, hey, what are you doing?" He asked gently, grabbing my arms to steady me. "M-Michael, I have to get to Michael," I mumbled, struggling to get my arms out of his grasp. He gently pulled me back to the middle of the couch and sat me down. “Okay, he’s on his way now. You just need to stay put." He said firmly. "Isn’t that right?" He shot into the phone.
I nodded to myself. On his way. I could relax now. Michael was coming, and everything would be okay.
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I was woken up by somebody grabbing my wrists tightly. I jumped, and my eyes widened in response. Instinct overtook me, and I felt my fangs extend and a strange sensation beneath my eyes. I fought against the strong grip on my wrists. Though I was still weak, my body pushed to defend itself.
"Evie!" A voice called to me, the hands on my wrists loosened, and I felt the influence of my instinct also loosen its grip on my mind. I was able to concentrate somewhat and stopped struggling so hard. My eyes finally managed to focus on the person in front of me. Hazel eyes, not green, his beautiful golden hazel. I recognized the voice, too. I gasped. "John!" I felt my fangs retract back into my mouth and I surged forward into his arms.
Relief flooded through me and I sagged into his embrace, "Oh, John, you have no idea how glad I am to see you. I don’t remember what happened, and I was so hungry and scared, and I knew you could help, so I came here. " One of his hands moved from the small of my back to tenderly rub the back of my head.
"Shhh now Evie, it’s okay. Everything’s going to be alright. " He pulled back and wiped his thumb on my chin. "You’ve fed?" He asked gently, resting his hands on my shoulders. I breathed in deeply, inhaling his sweet, calming scent. "Yeah, uh, sort of. Your friend let me, uh, well, but he said it wouldn’t be enough." His eyebrows furrowed. "He let you feed off him?"
"Yeah, I wasn't doing so hot when I got here. I ran here, but the sun... you know. " I rubbed my arms with my hands in a self-soothing way, remembering the pain... It certainly wasn't pleasant. He also took the liberty of rubbing is hands down my arm. I looked him in the eyes.
"Evie I," he faltered, "I’m so sorry this happened. But I have to ask, how did it happen?" His tone was curious, yet hesitant. "I don’t know, John. All I know is that when I woke up, everything hurt and I didn’t know where I was or what had happened. I’m sorry, I don’t know." Trying to figure it out made my head ache. And by God, I was still very tired and thirsty again, though not nearly as worse off as I was. But I knew it would only be a matter of time before it reared its ugly head again.
"Where’s Michael?" I asked in a low voice. For a moment, my mind raced with several possibilities. He wasn’t coming. He didn’t care that I was here. He didn’t care that I was alive. I pushed those thoughts away. What’s with me? I’m not usually so... insecure. The fear that he wasn’t coming, that he wouldn’t be there for me, was strong. But fear was all that it was. I knew Michael. He would be here if he knew.
John quelled my fears. "He’s on his way. I was actually already on my way home, it only took me a couple of minutes to get here." His hand was still rubbing small circles on my arm. He looked me in the eyes and his hand stilled. "How are you feeling?" His voice was soft and genuine. Ah, the rarer side of John that I rarely got to see. I suppose only Amy had seen this side of him. I held up my hand and gestured to the still-fading redness.
"Scorched, actually." I laughed, and he chuckled with me. "But tired, if I’m being honest." His expression turned serious again, though, and his beautiful hazel eyes went glassy. "We thought we'd lost you, Red." A whisper, so soft out of his mouth, I probably wouldn’t have heard it if I were still human. What a thought- if I were still human.
My emotions threatened to overtake me and I surged forward into his arms again. I squeezed him and rubbed small circles into his back, and he hugged me with all of his vampiric strength. He would have crushed me before, but now I could take it. Admittedly, it was a little uncomfortable. I didn’t have to breathe but having my breath squeezed out of me forcefully wasn’t my version of a great hug. But I would never tell him that.
They thought I was dead. And honestly, most of them would probably have to continue thinking I’m dead. My mom, Aaron, Laura, and all of my friends. My eyes prickled with tears, and I hugged John harder. His grip loosened a tad, and he whispered in my ear. "I love you, Evie. After you... after we found you, I thought about everything I didn’t get to say to you. There was so, so much, but I think that about sums up how I feel."
"Oh, John... I love you, too." My tears were warm on my face, and I felt a wetness gathering where John’s head was in the crook of my neck. Ah, we were both crying then. "Look at us," I laughed. "A bunch of sad sacks." He chuckled in his same warm timbre of voice. His slow heartbeat soothed my ears; our closeness gave me comfort.
Just then, the door to John’s house opened, and a voice that I recognized pierced the silence that had fallen. "What the hell is so important that you-" I looked up from the crook of John’s shoulder and made eye contact with the man who walked in. Michael. He froze, and I pulled myself out of John’s grasp and instinctively took a step closer to him.
He stared, his expression blank, but his eyes were glued to mine. I could hear his heart beating frantically in his chest. Nervousness crept up my spine, and I bit my lip nervously. "Hey, stranger." My voice was small, and I bit my lip again and winced. My teeth were sharper now, I’d have to remember that. My voice seemed to startle him out of his haze.
"Evie?" A whisper of disbelief passed between his lips. I blinked, and suddenly I was wrapped tightly in somebody’s arms again. I breathed in the sweet scent of him, the same manly floral as always, but maybe a little more intense than what I was used to. My exhale came out as a shudder, and I was once again overwhelmed with everything I felt. Love, mostly. Some sadness, and a little guilt. Though I knew it wasn't exactly my fault that they thought I was dead, I still felt bad for making them all this sad.
Michael pulled back and gripped my face in his hands. He stared into my eyes. Our gazes were intense and locked on each other. His lips met mine in a swift movement, and I melted into his embrace. Relief and love flooded through me. I kissed him back with equal intensity. His lips were warm, and my hands rested on his face the same way he held mine. He pulled back again, tears wet in his emerald-green eyes.
"How?" he barely spoke. His voice was high and taut, and one of his hands moved from my face to rest on my shoulder. I leaned into him, still gingerly holding my face, and brushed away a tear that had escaped from his, my own eyes blurring with emotion. My gums throbbed again, and I flinched, instinctively reaching with my fingers to soothe the pain. I rubbed my gums gently, but the pain still echoed through my mouth. Michael turned his head slightly, his eyebrows furrowing in question.
"What’s wrong?" He asked, his gaze following my fingertips inside my mouth. Tentatively, he reached his hand up and softly pulled my hand away. I looked into his eyes, and he held my gaze, silently asking for permission. I nodded, and he gently pulled my upper lip upwards to reveal my front row of teeth. With his fingers so close to my nose, I could smell the blood thrumming steadily in his veins. I inhaled unsteadily, and the pain in my gums pulsed to a peak. A dull throbbing also surfaced just below my eyes, and my vision sharpened to a point.
A soft gasp left Michael’s lips, and he quickly took a step back, his hand jerking away from my mouth. I forced out an exhale and attempted to get myself under control. Blood! My mind cried out, feed! I inhaled deeply and tried to concentrate on any other scent, anything other than the sweet, heavy scent of blood in the air.
A figure stepped in front of me, their voice barely making it through to my awareness. "Evie." The voice was firm, but I struggled to listen to it. "Look at me," it commanded. My eyes sought out the figure on their own accord, my panicked gaze landing on the eyes of the man I trusted. His hazel eyes pulsed as he spoke. "Don’t breathe, just concentrate on my voice. His tone was calming and soft, but it captivated my attention now. I held my breath, and slowly, the frenzy in my mind calmed. "Good." He nodded. I dared to take a small inhale through my mouth to speak.
"I’m sorry." My voice trembled. John’s features softened, and he frowned gently. "Oh, Evie. You've got nothing to be sorry for; it’s completely natural." He turned away from me and said, "If you’ve composed yourself, Michael." He spoke, and my eyes moved to his frozen state. His gaze was still locked on me, his mouth slightly open in shock. His face snapped toward John and then back to me. "How did this happen?" Michael’s voice was strained, and his stare kept flickering between John and me.
"We don’t know," John murmured, patting Michael on the shoulder. Michael looked at John incredulously, and his nostrils flared. "You don’t know ?" He turned to look at me, and his face softened when he met my eyes. "You don’t know?" He repeated it softly this time. He stepped toward me again while bringing his hands up to hold my face. His thumbs brushed along my cheek soothingly, and his eyes bore into mine with intensity. I shook my head softly, and the words passed through my lips just as softly.
"No. I don’t remember. " His forehead was pressed to mine and he closed his eyes, his hands again holding my face. "Oh, Evie. I’m so sorry." I grabbed his wrists and rubbed my thumb along them in a soothing gesture. "It’s okay. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters. " I said softly.
“I suppose so.” He replied softly, eyes squeezed shut and still holding my face as though his life depended on it. I closed my eyes and let myself settle into his grasp, thankful for the comforting connection between us. I’d be safe now, I was with my people and they would take care of me.