Love & War - Morganville Vampires Fanfiction

CHAPTER ONE - Claire

"Michael's stuff's already gone,' Shane said. "He packed up last night. I don't know where he went, so don't ask me."

"Shane, please look at me." Claire sank down on a chair next to him. He smelt like sweat, as if he'd gone to the gym and hadn't stopped to shower. He didn't shift his gaze away from a dedicated examination of the stained tile floor. "I've never had anything going with Michael, ever. I don't know why he did that."

He didn't answer her. They sat in silence for a few dark seconds, and then a nurse rounded the corner and said, "She's ready to go."

Shane pushed the wheelchair fast, not waiting for Claire; she hurried to catch up, but the elevator doors closed in her face. Neither of her housemates looked at her directly.

She took the stairs down a floor and met them as Shane put the brakes on the wheelchair and helped Eve move shakily into the front passenger seat of the hearse.

Shane was careful on the drive home, avoiding the bumpy spots, and pulling up to the front kerb without any jerky sudden stops.

Once Eve was settled on the sofa, with the old afghan tucked around her and a pillow beneath her head, Shane said, "You can handle nurse duties right?" He started heading for the door, again.

"Where are you going?" Claire called after him as she stood deserted in the living room.

"None of your business." Shane shot back sharply without turning back.

"Shane, please don't go." It was the first Claire had heard Eve speak she kicked them out of her hospital room yesterday. Eve didn't bat an eye at Claire, not once. She was staring directly at Shane who had stopped and turned slightly at the sound of Eve's voice.

Shane let out a hefty sigh and squeezed his eyes closed for a second before heading back towards the living room. He walked straight past Claire, almost knocking her out of the way if he were any closer. Shane sank down to be on face level with Eve.

"What do you need?" He asked simply. Eve pulled the blanket up to her nose as her eyes filled with tears that threatened to flood her face.

"Don't leave." Eve whispered. "Don't leave me here with her."

Eve's words felt like hundreds of knives piercing Claire's chest. Her own eyes filling with tears that she couldn't let fall. She couldn't be known as the weak one right now but hearing those words come from her best friend. That hurt.

"Eve, I- I can't stay here." Shane look down at the floor. Shaking his head.

"Then take me with you. You can't leave me here and expect me to be okay with her here."

"I'm standing right here." Claire whispered. If she spoke any louder, she was scared she'd break. "I'm stood right here."

"That's the problem." Shane muttered without turning to look at her. A few painful seconds passed as Shane and Eve looked at each other before Shane nodded mutely and stood up.

"Claire, you need to go." He looked at her now and she had never, never seen that look in his eyes. It looked like pure hatred. She couldn't bare it.

"What?" She couldn't help it. The tears fell down her cheeks rapidly. Her whole body shaking. "Shane-"

"Eve can't leave, she needs to rest." He cut her off. "And she's right, I'm not leaving her here with you and someone needs to look after her. You need to go."

"Go where?!" Claire cried. She looked from Shane to Eve, who wasn't looking at either of them. "Eve, it wasn't my fault! He kissed me, I never asked for it-"

"Go, Claire. I don't want to hear it." Eve said calmly from under the blanket. Shane just stared at her, waiting.

"Seriously?" She asked Shane who nodded towards the front door. A silent invitation to leave.

When Claire didn't move, Shane turned away and slumped down heavily in Michael's dedicated chair. He took the TV remote, turning on one of Eve's favourite shows. Claire stood watching them both as they completely ignored her.

"Wow." Claire whispered as more tears streaked down her face. She nodded, getting the gist that she wasn't wanted, by either her boyfriend or best friend. She turned around and grabbed her bag that she had dumped by the living room door when they first arrived home and headed out down the hall. Neither of her housemates came after her.

She walked out the front door, making a point to slam it, hard, on the way out. As soon as the door shut Claire collapsed on the porch and buried her head in her hands. She let herself cry. She let herself break down. She looked up at the sky and thought she better start thinking of where she could go before it got dark. She had to go somewhere. Do something. Then she remembered. Myrnin. She had to go and find Myrnin. He would know what to do. Or not, but it was something. Claire shot up and grabbed her backpack, throwing it heaving on her shoulder as she headed for the gate. She stopped and took a deep breath, getting herself together before thinking, where the fuck do I even start?