Monday, January 28, 2008
Questions
Does he know what he wants? Will he ever really know what it is? Which part of him wants what the most? Will he care too much to try for real? Will he love to much to give a care? Will he screw the world and take this chance? Will he hang his head in shame and walk away? Where will he go if he turns away? Where will he go if he wants to stay? Will she open her arms up wide? Will she accept the changing mind? Will she give him all the time he says he needs? Or will she just move on? Is she impatient? Or is he worth it to her?
Monday, January 21, 2008
Strengths and weaknesses
She has a weak mind, she changes on a whim.
She has a weak heart, it flutters for him.
He is strong willed, he refuses to change.
He is strong stomached, steeled to the game.
She is strong spirited, she handles the pain.
She is strong standing, taking the strain.
He has a weak voice, a stumble and slur.
He has a weak knee, trembling for her.
A strong spirit gives volume to the weak voice,
A weak heart needs a strong will.
A strong stomach guides a weak mind,
A weak knee needs the strength to stand.
She has a weak heart, it flutters for him.
He is strong willed, he refuses to change.
He is strong stomached, steeled to the game.
She is strong spirited, she handles the pain.
She is strong standing, taking the strain.
He has a weak voice, a stumble and slur.
He has a weak knee, trembling for her.
A strong spirit gives volume to the weak voice,
A weak heart needs a strong will.
A strong stomach guides a weak mind,
A weak knee needs the strength to stand.
Raindrops and snowflakes
I am a rain drop.
Not a snowflake.
I'm not a leaf.
I am a gust of wind.
I'm not a rock.
I am a grain of sand.
I am a salty wave.
Not a cloud.
I am a tiny seed.
Not a flower.
I am a raindrop.
Not a snowflake.
Not a snowflake.
I'm not a leaf.
I am a gust of wind.
I'm not a rock.
I am a grain of sand.
I am a salty wave.
Not a cloud.
I am a tiny seed.
Not a flower.
I am a raindrop.
Not a snowflake.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Numbing
All the other times in my life... When I've been hurt by a man. Any other time I come to know I mean nothing to him--at those times, I hurt. I ache and cry and feel depressed. I want to be held and to eat chocolate. That's what I want. But this time..
I'm numb. I feel nothing. I'm not angry, though I want to be. I'm not sad, though I should be. I'm not hungry or tired. I'm not anything. I'm just a shell. I walk. I talk. I smile. But it's hollow. Empty. When I see him--that's when I have pain. That's when I lash out at the people around me.
In my bed, I lay wrapped in blankets. I never want to wake up. Not to move. Not to speak. Not to eat. Breathe. Blink. Just lay there infinitely, wrapped in warmth. Silence, please.
Numb silence.
I'm numb. I feel nothing. I'm not angry, though I want to be. I'm not sad, though I should be. I'm not hungry or tired. I'm not anything. I'm just a shell. I walk. I talk. I smile. But it's hollow. Empty. When I see him--that's when I have pain. That's when I lash out at the people around me.
In my bed, I lay wrapped in blankets. I never want to wake up. Not to move. Not to speak. Not to eat. Breathe. Blink. Just lay there infinitely, wrapped in warmth. Silence, please.
Numb silence.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Matt the Digger
(All stories are owned and copyrighted by me)
Alex stood outside the local motel with Brian and the other boys from her apartment—except Derek, of course. She sighed in her own sadness as she recalled his face, and then focused at her task. They stood in front of the soda machines under the awnings, each with a bucket of red paint. Part of her suspected Brian had a bucket of real blood, which is what they wanted to allude to, but she wasn’t going to confront him on it. It was raining and cold and she just wanted to do this and be done.
“Specialized Americans,” she said, reading from the note she had pulled from her pocket, “That’s what we have to write.” The boys seemed a little hesitant so Brian wrote a huge “S” right onto it with his fingers. The fresh smell of paint eased Alex’s mind, relieved that Brian wasn’t using real blood.
The boys didn’t want to participate, it seemed, so it was just Brian and her writing it. They were finishing the first word when one of the boys gave a yell. Alex and Brian turned to see someone walking in the rain. The boys were looking too, but seemed to be shaking. Who was this person?
A flash of lightning and the figure pulled the parka’s hood from his head. Alex saw the face of a young man. The streetlight showed not only his thick, brown hair, now flattening down from the rain, but also see his dark eyes. She had just finished thinking how good looking he was, when one of the boys yelled for everyone to run. And like mice, the boys scattered and flew in all directions. The one that flew by her—was that Mike? —He knocked her shoulder roughly, and she fell to the ground, scraping her hand with a sting. As he passed her, she heard him mutter, in a breathless sort of way, “Run. Just run. That’s Matt the Digger.”
Another flash of lightning lit the area, and as her stomach fell through, she saw the once dark eyes of the stranger turn to a reflective, cat-like blue.
---
Matt’s mind was blurred. He loathed the fog he was in, and loathed the man who had put him in it more. But he could not ignore the smell. The smell of someone’s blood—that girls’ blood. He inhaled deeply, quivering from how pure and delicious it smelled.
The smell had drawn him out of his hiding. He wished death upon his master once again, for confounding him those weeks ago; for blurring his once clear mind; for forcing him to hide himself away, as well. How he hated him.
But now that he was here, he understood. Once he had smelled her blood, it was so obvious. He hungered for her now, and his mind became clear enough to remember what his master had said.
“You are only allowed to bite one more person, and then you must never bite anyone ever again.”
The bitter feelings rose back up as he recalled this. Matt knew that he would eventually die if he didn’t bite anyone ever again. His master knew it too. He wanted to kill his master… And after he killed this girl and had her blood, he would have the clarity and the strength to do so. The smell of her blood alone defogged his eyes…
He looked at her as she wrote on the machine with her bizarre little friends. Their blood smelt as mud, disgusting and unworthy of his time when compared to hers which was like smelling a freshly baked cake, the icing soft and thick.
But then one of those muddy friends saw him and gave a yell. They all turned then and looked at him. No matter—she couldn’t run even if she tried. Now that he had her scent, he would catch her. But she didn’t try to run. Her friends all ran, except the tall one with her at the machine. That bizarre looking boy stayed beside her—master had told him to leave that boy alone. But he wouldn’t have to obey his master after he had her blood. He closed his eyes and shuddered from anticipation and looked back to her. One of her little friends had knocked her over in his need to flee. Knocked her over and cut open her hand…
She was starting to get up when she looked up at him. He stood only 10 feet away now, a distance he could close in a single second or less. He saw the fear that sprang into her eyes. He stared at the blood on her hand, fixated now by the color and now overwhelming scent.
“I’m allowed to bite one more person.” He said to her, “That’s what my master said. One more person.” Somehow, this statement shook the tall one and he took a step away from the girl and Matt. “One more person. I thought I could pick anyone… but now I know he meant you.”
In that instant, three things happened. Brian turned the corner and fled; the girl tried to scream; and Matt himself lunged at her.
Matt straddled her on the ground and used his hands to pin down her arms. She opened her mouth to attempt another scream, but no sound would come. Matt had to laugh, and that laugh put the most terrified look on her face. He laughed again. Then he leaned to her neck and smelled deeply. It was intoxicating how fantastic her blood smell. He just had to get enough to think clearly. Enough to gain control again. Not enough to kill her though… he wanted more eventually.
“Just enough,” he whispered and he plunged his fangs into her neck.
---
Brian felt like a coward for running from the scene, but the pit of his stomach had urged him to. He felt disgusted that he had abandoned Alex to the Digger, but there was no way he could have stayed. He realized would have had to watch her die and then be killed himself. No thank you.
He hadn’t been sure of whom it was until the guy had started talking about biting people. Brian’s love of all things occult had given him a perfect knowledge of the local superstitions so he knew it was Matt the Digger right away. And now he was running towards home in the rain, while his neighbor and friend was probably being drained dry by the crazy out of a ghost story.
Slowing to a jog, then to a walk, and finally stopping as his own pathetic actions washed over him, Brian wanted to throw up. How he could live with himself if he left her there, he did not know. How he could leave his best friend’s girlfriend there to die, he had no idea. Derek was his best friend and had disappeared weeks ago, leaving Alex depressed and forlorn. Brian did his best to take care of her, but she was inconsolable at times.
As he was trying to decide what to do, though, he heard Alex scream. High pitched, and bone chilling. He never thought he would feel his blood curdle, but it did. It felt suddenly thick and immovable. But Brian, fortunately, was not. He was running again, only back towards the monster and his friend.
When there were only a few corners left to turn, and his chest was heaving, Brian was startled by some movement in front of him. He stopped just as something fell from the rooftop. No, wait, it didn’t fall—it jumped. It, or rather he, landed softly, as if he had jumped from a low wall.
“Holy—“ Brian started, in surprise, “Derek! You scared me, man! You’re alive?”
“Obviously” Derek said coldly. That was Derek for you, as cold as December in Alaska. “Was that screaming Alex?”
Brian felt sick again, and nodded. Derek looked at him for only an instant, and then he turned on one foot and ran towards the scene. Brian knew Derek would knock him around pretty viciously for leaving her, if she was still alive. If she was dead… well, so was he. Derek was tall, strong and unforgiving in some matters. Especially concerning Alex.
As they arrived on the scene, Brian felt ill. The Digger had her pinned down and was biting her neck. She was struggling, though, which was a good sign. Brian took a step forward, but Derek threw out his arm and stopped him.
---
Derek walked around Matt until he was behind him. Then, Derek spoke.
“Matt.”
Matt didn’t stop, didn’t pause, and didn’t even react. How tiresome.
“Matt.”
Still nothing.
Derek was annoyed now, and he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gleaming, silver and black 9 mm pistol. He fired it into the air and then poked it into the back of Matt’s head, “Matthew!”
Matt stopped now and raised his head from Alex’s neck. He turned to look at Derek, letting go of her right hand. He propped his free hand on his thigh and looked at Derek as if annoyed himself. Derek didn’t care.
“Must we do this every time, Matt? Why can’t you just obey me?” Derek called, feeling tired and irked. He saw the shock on Brian’s face and narrowed his eyes. He’d deal with him later. “Get off of her.”
Matt moved his left leg over and off of her, and crouched beside her. She started to wiggle and crawl away, but Matt’s hand flew out and caught her by the collar of her shirt. The blood from the wound in her neck flowed freely and stained her shirt red and the ground beneath her scarlet. Derek couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was, despite the horrible circumstances.
“Help her up.”
Obediently, Matt stood himself and yanked her to her feet via the collar. She choked, but stood wobbling. Derek motioned with his free hand for Matt to give her to him. Matt’s face contorted in fury, but he obeyed. He almost tossed her to Derek, who caught her easily by the hand. He turned her around smoothly, until her back was pressed up against his chest and her arm was pulled across her body so she could not move.
“Are you still there, Alex?” He whispered in her ear. He hoped Matt had not taken too much of her blood, else her personality would be lost. But she nodded meekly and Derek was relieved. He turned his attention to Brian.
“My best friend.” He started, watching Brian jolt in surprise. “My disloyal, stupid best friend.” Brian looked confused now, which mingled nicely with the horror already in place.
“Confused? Really? That’s strange… Are you sure?” Derek mused, but was slightly disappointed that Brian didn’t seem to know. But then, for an instant, Derek saw the glint in Brian’s eye and knew Brian did know. Derek had to smile now. “I see you do know, don’t you? You sure had Alex fooled. You had everyone fooled, you idiot.”
Alex’s breathing was labored now, and Derek began to worry she would die. “Well, if you’ll wait for a moment while I save my girlfriend, I’ll deal with you.” The panic that flew across Brian’s face was very gratifying.
Derek leaned down to Alex’s neck, where the wound bled freely. He paused and took in the smell. It was gentle and soft, really—not intoxicating and overwhelming as the drug he’d given Matt had made it seem. Derek kissed the bite, drawing a little bit of blood out of it. With some of the blood sill in his mouth, he cut his fingertips on the blade at his belt. Then he brought the bleeding fingers to her mouth.
“Alex… drink some.”
She didn’t move.
“Please, Alex. Please… I don’t want you to die.”
She shook her head gently.
Derek hesitated, “Crap, you think I’m the bad guy.” He dropped her hand and let her arm fall. She staggered and he caught her. With his free arm, he carried her easily to the soda machine. He eased her down and leaned her against the machine.
Then he stood and turned to the two remaining—Matt and Brian.
“Matt… Why don’t you go to your Master? I won’t stop you.” Derek purred. Matt was visibly surprised, needless to say, but didn’t hesitate. He turned his head towards Brian, the animosity suddenly clear in every movement. He almost flew at Brian. Brian screamed as pushed him to the ground and began to drink his blood.
Alex screamed, and Derek turned sharply.
---
Alex was horrified—HORRIFIED—by what was happening. Derek was alive, but had ordered Matt the Digger to kill Brian! How could this be happening? How had to love of her life come to be this killer? She screamed.
As soon as she did, though, Derek called out to Matt.
“Wait, Matt, just stop for a bit!” Matt raised his head from Brian’s neck, looking annoyed.
“Wait for what? I’ve been waiting for this for 5 weeks, kid. I’m not waiting anymore.” And he went to drink some more. But Derek spoke up again.
“Just wait! Let me explain to Alex—the girl—what’s going on! I need Brian to do that. She won’t believe me without him. So just stop! You owe me for what you did!”
Alex felt confused and light headed. Matt growled and then threw Brian to the ground. Brian was covered in blood and crying. Alex wanted to grab him and run, but she couldn’t move herself. Derek took a step towards Brian, his fury radiating like heat.
“Why did you do this to me, Brian?”
Brian only whimpered.
“What purpose was there in leaving me to die?”
Still Brian did not respond, he just remained curled up and crying in his own blood.
“Brian, you’re going to die tonight. If Matt doesn’t kill you, I will. You won’t be able to escape.”
Alex wanted to scream at Derek to stop, but Brian suddenly stopped his quivering and whimpering. He raised his head from his chest, hatred oozing from his blood covered face. He staggered to his feet. Alex was confused and wanted to speak, but Brian cut her off.
“I just wanted you to die.”
“I did everything I could to make sure you died. I tried so many times, but you just wouldn’t. Pushing you from your roof didn’t kill you.”
Alex remembered when Derek had fallen from the roof. Three stories of falling and he managed to only break his leg.
“I tried “accidentally” stabbing you, but you survived.”
Brain had been so sorry then! How could it have been intentional? Alex’s mind spun.
“I even got someone to shoot you, but you just wouldn’t die!”
She’d been there for that. They were out and it was a drive by shooting. Everyone thought it was random…
“Do you hate me that much?” Derek muttered. Alex could see the pain in his face, disbelief outlining his features.
Brian quivered with fury, “Yes.”
“Was it for--Did you want Alex?”
“Yes.”
“I see…” Derek put his hand to his eyes for a moment. Then he raised the gun and pointed it at Brian. “Keep going.”
Brian eyed the gun nervously, but seemed propelled by his fury. “If you had just died then—you—you wouldn’t have had to die the way you did, you know! I only wanted you to get out of Alex’s life!”
“You moron! If you wanted me dead, you shouldn’t have made a deal with Matt! Have you noticed I’m still alive? I’m not dead now, you idiot! I’m immortal!”
Alex and Brian both froze. Alex because she realized what Matt and Derek both were. Brian, because he realized that Derek was right and that he had made him immortal. Brian opened his mouth to speak, but Matt spoke instead.
“Made a deal with me? You think that pathetic little concept of a man made a deal with me? Don’t make me sick. I don’t make deals with humans. I prefer to have as little to do with you as I can. Every year I need someone’s blood, but other than that—no thank you! But this little weasel found me, somehow, and cast a spell on me! He didn’t make a deal with me! He enslaved me! I haven’t had a thought of my own in two weeks.”
Brian suddenly sprang to life again, “Then how come you attacked her! I didn’t tell you to attack this girl! I told you to attack one person! Just one! Him! And you did, see? You already got him! So why did you go after her?”
Matt looked judgingly at Brian, blinking through narrow eyes.
“I can’t remember the first three weeks of my enslavement. That is part of the spell. You ordered me to bite one person and only one person before you cast the spell. You probably didn’t specify who to bite until after you’d cast it!”
Brian looked horrified.
“So while I did bite the person you ordered me to, I couldn’t remember doing it! So I thought I was allowed to bite one more person! And she was… irresistible.” He threw a hungry glance at Alex, causing her to shudder. But Derek stepped between the gaze.
“Keep your eyes away from her, Matt.” Derek raised the gun and pointed it menacingly at Matt.
Matt turned away towards Brian, bitter.
“Once I kill you, master, I’ll be free again. That man,” Matt pointed at Derek, “has promised to let me live if I keep away from his girl. I didn’t know his girl was the one with the good blood… But I’ve already had some, so I can survive without it, as much as I don’t want to.”
Brian looked pale and sick, but asked a question. “How did you meet Derek? I don’t understand…”
“I found him, Brian. You told him to hide, but I found him. I told him that he had turned me into one of his kind. He didn’t really care, but I… convinced him to tell me about you.” Derek fingered his gun.
“But that doesn’t matter anymore. Matt, I gave you a drug that enhanced your sense of smell. Alex’s blood won’t smell or taste as sweet tomorrow. Nor will the blood of others smell so foul. I apologize, but it was the only way to free you and get revenge against Brian for the three of us. I only ask that you take your revenge away from here. Brian… I pity you.” Then Derek turned from Brian and Matt and walked to Alex.
As soon as he had turned, Matt lunged at Brian. A brief struggled ensued and Matt dragged Brian off screaming.
Alex shook and cried by the soda machine, her blood pooled beneath her and congealed on her skin. Derek crouched besides her, looking sad and hopeful.
“I’m sorry I sent Matt after you… I had to… I didn’t want to. I would have sacrificed anyone and everyone else in the entire world if I could have. But the spell required the blood of the “prize.” Since you were what Brian was after, you were the prize… Do you hate me? I just wanted everything to be made right.”
She stared at him. The blood on his hand had been smeared on his face a bit. But she still saw Derek there. The man she had lost a month ago. She saw the fangs in his open, heavily breathing mouth, but she didn’t really care…
“I don’t hate you.”
He looked so relieved, she thought he might cry, so she reached out and put her arms around his neck. He pocketed the gun and picked her up. He leaned close to her and spoke softly, “It may not be the most romantic thing, but if you don’t drink some of my blood, you’ll die when the sun comes up.”
Alex thought about it for a moment, and then she positioned her face beneath his, still shaking from the entire trauma. “What could be more romantic that the mingling of blood between lovers?”
He kissed her under the awning, holding her in his arms, protecting her from the rain. And while they kissed, she gently bit his lip. He jumped from the bite, and pulled back, but she only licked the blood off her lips. He laughed and kissed her again.
Alex stood outside the local motel with Brian and the other boys from her apartment—except Derek, of course. She sighed in her own sadness as she recalled his face, and then focused at her task. They stood in front of the soda machines under the awnings, each with a bucket of red paint. Part of her suspected Brian had a bucket of real blood, which is what they wanted to allude to, but she wasn’t going to confront him on it. It was raining and cold and she just wanted to do this and be done.
“Specialized Americans,” she said, reading from the note she had pulled from her pocket, “That’s what we have to write.” The boys seemed a little hesitant so Brian wrote a huge “S” right onto it with his fingers. The fresh smell of paint eased Alex’s mind, relieved that Brian wasn’t using real blood.
The boys didn’t want to participate, it seemed, so it was just Brian and her writing it. They were finishing the first word when one of the boys gave a yell. Alex and Brian turned to see someone walking in the rain. The boys were looking too, but seemed to be shaking. Who was this person?
A flash of lightning and the figure pulled the parka’s hood from his head. Alex saw the face of a young man. The streetlight showed not only his thick, brown hair, now flattening down from the rain, but also see his dark eyes. She had just finished thinking how good looking he was, when one of the boys yelled for everyone to run. And like mice, the boys scattered and flew in all directions. The one that flew by her—was that Mike? —He knocked her shoulder roughly, and she fell to the ground, scraping her hand with a sting. As he passed her, she heard him mutter, in a breathless sort of way, “Run. Just run. That’s Matt the Digger.”
Another flash of lightning lit the area, and as her stomach fell through, she saw the once dark eyes of the stranger turn to a reflective, cat-like blue.
---
Matt’s mind was blurred. He loathed the fog he was in, and loathed the man who had put him in it more. But he could not ignore the smell. The smell of someone’s blood—that girls’ blood. He inhaled deeply, quivering from how pure and delicious it smelled.
The smell had drawn him out of his hiding. He wished death upon his master once again, for confounding him those weeks ago; for blurring his once clear mind; for forcing him to hide himself away, as well. How he hated him.
But now that he was here, he understood. Once he had smelled her blood, it was so obvious. He hungered for her now, and his mind became clear enough to remember what his master had said.
“You are only allowed to bite one more person, and then you must never bite anyone ever again.”
The bitter feelings rose back up as he recalled this. Matt knew that he would eventually die if he didn’t bite anyone ever again. His master knew it too. He wanted to kill his master… And after he killed this girl and had her blood, he would have the clarity and the strength to do so. The smell of her blood alone defogged his eyes…
He looked at her as she wrote on the machine with her bizarre little friends. Their blood smelt as mud, disgusting and unworthy of his time when compared to hers which was like smelling a freshly baked cake, the icing soft and thick.
But then one of those muddy friends saw him and gave a yell. They all turned then and looked at him. No matter—she couldn’t run even if she tried. Now that he had her scent, he would catch her. But she didn’t try to run. Her friends all ran, except the tall one with her at the machine. That bizarre looking boy stayed beside her—master had told him to leave that boy alone. But he wouldn’t have to obey his master after he had her blood. He closed his eyes and shuddered from anticipation and looked back to her. One of her little friends had knocked her over in his need to flee. Knocked her over and cut open her hand…
She was starting to get up when she looked up at him. He stood only 10 feet away now, a distance he could close in a single second or less. He saw the fear that sprang into her eyes. He stared at the blood on her hand, fixated now by the color and now overwhelming scent.
“I’m allowed to bite one more person.” He said to her, “That’s what my master said. One more person.” Somehow, this statement shook the tall one and he took a step away from the girl and Matt. “One more person. I thought I could pick anyone… but now I know he meant you.”
In that instant, three things happened. Brian turned the corner and fled; the girl tried to scream; and Matt himself lunged at her.
Matt straddled her on the ground and used his hands to pin down her arms. She opened her mouth to attempt another scream, but no sound would come. Matt had to laugh, and that laugh put the most terrified look on her face. He laughed again. Then he leaned to her neck and smelled deeply. It was intoxicating how fantastic her blood smell. He just had to get enough to think clearly. Enough to gain control again. Not enough to kill her though… he wanted more eventually.
“Just enough,” he whispered and he plunged his fangs into her neck.
---
Brian felt like a coward for running from the scene, but the pit of his stomach had urged him to. He felt disgusted that he had abandoned Alex to the Digger, but there was no way he could have stayed. He realized would have had to watch her die and then be killed himself. No thank you.
He hadn’t been sure of whom it was until the guy had started talking about biting people. Brian’s love of all things occult had given him a perfect knowledge of the local superstitions so he knew it was Matt the Digger right away. And now he was running towards home in the rain, while his neighbor and friend was probably being drained dry by the crazy out of a ghost story.
Slowing to a jog, then to a walk, and finally stopping as his own pathetic actions washed over him, Brian wanted to throw up. How he could live with himself if he left her there, he did not know. How he could leave his best friend’s girlfriend there to die, he had no idea. Derek was his best friend and had disappeared weeks ago, leaving Alex depressed and forlorn. Brian did his best to take care of her, but she was inconsolable at times.
As he was trying to decide what to do, though, he heard Alex scream. High pitched, and bone chilling. He never thought he would feel his blood curdle, but it did. It felt suddenly thick and immovable. But Brian, fortunately, was not. He was running again, only back towards the monster and his friend.
When there were only a few corners left to turn, and his chest was heaving, Brian was startled by some movement in front of him. He stopped just as something fell from the rooftop. No, wait, it didn’t fall—it jumped. It, or rather he, landed softly, as if he had jumped from a low wall.
“Holy—“ Brian started, in surprise, “Derek! You scared me, man! You’re alive?”
“Obviously” Derek said coldly. That was Derek for you, as cold as December in Alaska. “Was that screaming Alex?”
Brian felt sick again, and nodded. Derek looked at him for only an instant, and then he turned on one foot and ran towards the scene. Brian knew Derek would knock him around pretty viciously for leaving her, if she was still alive. If she was dead… well, so was he. Derek was tall, strong and unforgiving in some matters. Especially concerning Alex.
As they arrived on the scene, Brian felt ill. The Digger had her pinned down and was biting her neck. She was struggling, though, which was a good sign. Brian took a step forward, but Derek threw out his arm and stopped him.
---
Derek walked around Matt until he was behind him. Then, Derek spoke.
“Matt.”
Matt didn’t stop, didn’t pause, and didn’t even react. How tiresome.
“Matt.”
Still nothing.
Derek was annoyed now, and he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gleaming, silver and black 9 mm pistol. He fired it into the air and then poked it into the back of Matt’s head, “Matthew!”
Matt stopped now and raised his head from Alex’s neck. He turned to look at Derek, letting go of her right hand. He propped his free hand on his thigh and looked at Derek as if annoyed himself. Derek didn’t care.
“Must we do this every time, Matt? Why can’t you just obey me?” Derek called, feeling tired and irked. He saw the shock on Brian’s face and narrowed his eyes. He’d deal with him later. “Get off of her.”
Matt moved his left leg over and off of her, and crouched beside her. She started to wiggle and crawl away, but Matt’s hand flew out and caught her by the collar of her shirt. The blood from the wound in her neck flowed freely and stained her shirt red and the ground beneath her scarlet. Derek couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was, despite the horrible circumstances.
“Help her up.”
Obediently, Matt stood himself and yanked her to her feet via the collar. She choked, but stood wobbling. Derek motioned with his free hand for Matt to give her to him. Matt’s face contorted in fury, but he obeyed. He almost tossed her to Derek, who caught her easily by the hand. He turned her around smoothly, until her back was pressed up against his chest and her arm was pulled across her body so she could not move.
“Are you still there, Alex?” He whispered in her ear. He hoped Matt had not taken too much of her blood, else her personality would be lost. But she nodded meekly and Derek was relieved. He turned his attention to Brian.
“My best friend.” He started, watching Brian jolt in surprise. “My disloyal, stupid best friend.” Brian looked confused now, which mingled nicely with the horror already in place.
“Confused? Really? That’s strange… Are you sure?” Derek mused, but was slightly disappointed that Brian didn’t seem to know. But then, for an instant, Derek saw the glint in Brian’s eye and knew Brian did know. Derek had to smile now. “I see you do know, don’t you? You sure had Alex fooled. You had everyone fooled, you idiot.”
Alex’s breathing was labored now, and Derek began to worry she would die. “Well, if you’ll wait for a moment while I save my girlfriend, I’ll deal with you.” The panic that flew across Brian’s face was very gratifying.
Derek leaned down to Alex’s neck, where the wound bled freely. He paused and took in the smell. It was gentle and soft, really—not intoxicating and overwhelming as the drug he’d given Matt had made it seem. Derek kissed the bite, drawing a little bit of blood out of it. With some of the blood sill in his mouth, he cut his fingertips on the blade at his belt. Then he brought the bleeding fingers to her mouth.
“Alex… drink some.”
She didn’t move.
“Please, Alex. Please… I don’t want you to die.”
She shook her head gently.
Derek hesitated, “Crap, you think I’m the bad guy.” He dropped her hand and let her arm fall. She staggered and he caught her. With his free arm, he carried her easily to the soda machine. He eased her down and leaned her against the machine.
Then he stood and turned to the two remaining—Matt and Brian.
“Matt… Why don’t you go to your Master? I won’t stop you.” Derek purred. Matt was visibly surprised, needless to say, but didn’t hesitate. He turned his head towards Brian, the animosity suddenly clear in every movement. He almost flew at Brian. Brian screamed as pushed him to the ground and began to drink his blood.
Alex screamed, and Derek turned sharply.
---
Alex was horrified—HORRIFIED—by what was happening. Derek was alive, but had ordered Matt the Digger to kill Brian! How could this be happening? How had to love of her life come to be this killer? She screamed.
As soon as she did, though, Derek called out to Matt.
“Wait, Matt, just stop for a bit!” Matt raised his head from Brian’s neck, looking annoyed.
“Wait for what? I’ve been waiting for this for 5 weeks, kid. I’m not waiting anymore.” And he went to drink some more. But Derek spoke up again.
“Just wait! Let me explain to Alex—the girl—what’s going on! I need Brian to do that. She won’t believe me without him. So just stop! You owe me for what you did!”
Alex felt confused and light headed. Matt growled and then threw Brian to the ground. Brian was covered in blood and crying. Alex wanted to grab him and run, but she couldn’t move herself. Derek took a step towards Brian, his fury radiating like heat.
“Why did you do this to me, Brian?”
Brian only whimpered.
“What purpose was there in leaving me to die?”
Still Brian did not respond, he just remained curled up and crying in his own blood.
“Brian, you’re going to die tonight. If Matt doesn’t kill you, I will. You won’t be able to escape.”
Alex wanted to scream at Derek to stop, but Brian suddenly stopped his quivering and whimpering. He raised his head from his chest, hatred oozing from his blood covered face. He staggered to his feet. Alex was confused and wanted to speak, but Brian cut her off.
“I just wanted you to die.”
“I did everything I could to make sure you died. I tried so many times, but you just wouldn’t. Pushing you from your roof didn’t kill you.”
Alex remembered when Derek had fallen from the roof. Three stories of falling and he managed to only break his leg.
“I tried “accidentally” stabbing you, but you survived.”
Brain had been so sorry then! How could it have been intentional? Alex’s mind spun.
“I even got someone to shoot you, but you just wouldn’t die!”
She’d been there for that. They were out and it was a drive by shooting. Everyone thought it was random…
“Do you hate me that much?” Derek muttered. Alex could see the pain in his face, disbelief outlining his features.
Brian quivered with fury, “Yes.”
“Was it for--Did you want Alex?”
“Yes.”
“I see…” Derek put his hand to his eyes for a moment. Then he raised the gun and pointed it at Brian. “Keep going.”
Brian eyed the gun nervously, but seemed propelled by his fury. “If you had just died then—you—you wouldn’t have had to die the way you did, you know! I only wanted you to get out of Alex’s life!”
“You moron! If you wanted me dead, you shouldn’t have made a deal with Matt! Have you noticed I’m still alive? I’m not dead now, you idiot! I’m immortal!”
Alex and Brian both froze. Alex because she realized what Matt and Derek both were. Brian, because he realized that Derek was right and that he had made him immortal. Brian opened his mouth to speak, but Matt spoke instead.
“Made a deal with me? You think that pathetic little concept of a man made a deal with me? Don’t make me sick. I don’t make deals with humans. I prefer to have as little to do with you as I can. Every year I need someone’s blood, but other than that—no thank you! But this little weasel found me, somehow, and cast a spell on me! He didn’t make a deal with me! He enslaved me! I haven’t had a thought of my own in two weeks.”
Brian suddenly sprang to life again, “Then how come you attacked her! I didn’t tell you to attack this girl! I told you to attack one person! Just one! Him! And you did, see? You already got him! So why did you go after her?”
Matt looked judgingly at Brian, blinking through narrow eyes.
“I can’t remember the first three weeks of my enslavement. That is part of the spell. You ordered me to bite one person and only one person before you cast the spell. You probably didn’t specify who to bite until after you’d cast it!”
Brian looked horrified.
“So while I did bite the person you ordered me to, I couldn’t remember doing it! So I thought I was allowed to bite one more person! And she was… irresistible.” He threw a hungry glance at Alex, causing her to shudder. But Derek stepped between the gaze.
“Keep your eyes away from her, Matt.” Derek raised the gun and pointed it menacingly at Matt.
Matt turned away towards Brian, bitter.
“Once I kill you, master, I’ll be free again. That man,” Matt pointed at Derek, “has promised to let me live if I keep away from his girl. I didn’t know his girl was the one with the good blood… But I’ve already had some, so I can survive without it, as much as I don’t want to.”
Brian looked pale and sick, but asked a question. “How did you meet Derek? I don’t understand…”
“I found him, Brian. You told him to hide, but I found him. I told him that he had turned me into one of his kind. He didn’t really care, but I… convinced him to tell me about you.” Derek fingered his gun.
“But that doesn’t matter anymore. Matt, I gave you a drug that enhanced your sense of smell. Alex’s blood won’t smell or taste as sweet tomorrow. Nor will the blood of others smell so foul. I apologize, but it was the only way to free you and get revenge against Brian for the three of us. I only ask that you take your revenge away from here. Brian… I pity you.” Then Derek turned from Brian and Matt and walked to Alex.
As soon as he had turned, Matt lunged at Brian. A brief struggled ensued and Matt dragged Brian off screaming.
Alex shook and cried by the soda machine, her blood pooled beneath her and congealed on her skin. Derek crouched besides her, looking sad and hopeful.
“I’m sorry I sent Matt after you… I had to… I didn’t want to. I would have sacrificed anyone and everyone else in the entire world if I could have. But the spell required the blood of the “prize.” Since you were what Brian was after, you were the prize… Do you hate me? I just wanted everything to be made right.”
She stared at him. The blood on his hand had been smeared on his face a bit. But she still saw Derek there. The man she had lost a month ago. She saw the fangs in his open, heavily breathing mouth, but she didn’t really care…
“I don’t hate you.”
He looked so relieved, she thought he might cry, so she reached out and put her arms around his neck. He pocketed the gun and picked her up. He leaned close to her and spoke softly, “It may not be the most romantic thing, but if you don’t drink some of my blood, you’ll die when the sun comes up.”
Alex thought about it for a moment, and then she positioned her face beneath his, still shaking from the entire trauma. “What could be more romantic that the mingling of blood between lovers?”
He kissed her under the awning, holding her in his arms, protecting her from the rain. And while they kissed, she gently bit his lip. He jumped from the bite, and pulled back, but she only licked the blood off her lips. He laughed and kissed her again.
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