Hunted

Chapter 5

I wake up to find Daniel gone, and the blinds closed against the sun. Ugh, I don't think I'm ready to face the sun. I won't die, but I'll be weak.

I roll out of bed and open the spare room door. I used to love all of the natural light that comes in through the big window that encompasses the upper and lower floors, but now not so much.

The light blinds me and I immediately feel lethargic. I groan and slowly make my way downstairs. My stomach clenches and unclenches with hunger, and I swear, if I get another whiff of blood, I don't think I'll be able to restrain myself.

I rush to the kitchen and try to find something like cherry cool-aide or something to at least help quench the hunger. I raid the pantry and find nothing, but when I open the fridge, cranberry juice stares back at me. I grab it, and my fangs click into place. I take off the cap and guzzle half of it down, the taste bland. Suddenly, a new feeling comes into the kitchen. Disgust.

I look up and I see Ms. Anders enter the kitchen, a frown on her face. A hand by her belt. By her stake. I guess I didn't notice it yesterday, but it's clear and so obviously there. "Good morning, I hope you found everything accommodating." She greets, looking at the half empty bottle of cranberry juice.

"Sorry, it's just... I was really hungry." I reply. Why does she have to judge me so harshly? It's not like I can help being hungry.

"I see." She eyes my fangs, which I quickly click back. "I know what you're thinking."

"No, I know what you're thinking. Literally." I butt in and smile. She doesn't.

"You think that I'm being insensitive."

"Well, yeah. Me being hungry isn't much different to you being hungry."

"When I'm hungry, I don't suck the blood out of another person's neck." She growls and I wince.

"Which isn't much different than what you do to chickens and cows. You breed them in cages, and then ultimately slaughter them for food. I don't kill. You do." Burn.

"We... Animals..." I seem to have caught her. Her mouth moves but no sound comes out. Anger comes off of her in waves. I smirk and grab the container of cranberry juice and start drinking again, making sure to snap my fangs out before I do.

"Good morning, Mom. Lizzy." Daniel walks in, not even giving the cranberry juice a second glance.

"Morning." I drain the last of the juice and start feeling a bit better. At least my stomach isn't cramping anymore.

"How are you feeling?" He asks and moves around me to get some cereal out of the pantry.

"Better. I was worse this morning, but after I drank some - all of this - I'm feeling a bit more in control." I walk to the trash can and throw away the empty juice container.

"I'm pretty sure they'll have blood for you at the school." He reassures me.

"Ok, well I'm going to go get dressed." I make my way to the stairs, going through a particularly bright patch of light. I block my sensitive eyes from it and hurry up the stairs.

When I get to the spare room, a clean pole of my clothes lay on the bed. With a note on top. I snatch it up.

Dear, Elizabeth,

I am extremely sorry about the events of last night. I know my wife and I were being insensitive. I know you're still the same Lizzy. Please accept this as a peace offering.

Sincerely, Mr. Anders

Wow. I guess he really does care about me. I quickly slip on my dark Hunters clothes and stuff the note in my pocket. It's sweet, so I'll hang it up in my dorm.