Death is Only the Beginning: A Guide to Vampirism

Ten: Midnight Snack

Life

Never so precious

As when it is gone.

A hampire.

I'm going to live... or whatever you call what the undead do (exist?)... forever, and my poor Hambalina only has maybe two years to live. It's not fair that a hamster has such a short life span. If I turn her into a hampire, would she still be able to live on pellets and fruit or would she have to turn carnivore? Now, that's a frightening thought. A carnivorous hamster. Well... they DO have the teeth for it.

"Tiffany?"

"Mm?"

A warm hand touches my hair. It's comforting and gentle. Sleep pulls at me as I continue contemplating poor sweet Hambalina's fate. And Pete's. I'll have to find a way to turn him into a vampire too. I can't live forever without Pete. I'd never be able to leash train another cat. Or would he be a catpire? A vampkitty? I don't want to be alone for eternity. I'll have to find a way to turn them. I wonder if it's in the book.

"You awake?"

A bit annoyed at being interrupted in the long term plans my somewhat fuzzy brain was making for my pets, I grunt in acknowledgment as I try to snuggle deeper under the covers to fall back into sleep. The voice pesters me some more, asking again if I'm awake. Completely against my will, I manage to open my eyes.

It takes a few moments for it to register that I'm in my bed. It's a little disconcerting since I don't remember going to sleep. Heck, I don't remember going home! What happened?

"Whah'pnd?"

"What?" He leans closer. Lobo. Something is wrong with him, but I can't put my finger on it. I should probably be embarrassed that he's in my room, but my brain is too wrapped in cotton to care. Besides... he smells really, really good. Like sunshine. "Oh," he says, as he finally translates. "What happened?"

The conversation would probably go a lot better if I was vertical, so I attempt to drag myself up. My arms are too shaky to hold my weight, so he helps me sit up, which is a little humiliating, and my head is pounding. Maybe getting up isn't such a good idea after all.

Putting my fingers to my temples to try to rub away the pain, I try to figure out what's wrong with the picture, besides the fact that I seem to have been teleported straight from school to my room. Ooooooh! Maybe I'm finally developing a power! Before I can rejoice, I finally figure out what's missing. Lobo is missing his smile. He looks grim and serious. I've never seen him look serious before, and it's unsettling. It doesn't suit him at all. I miss his smile. Totally without my permission, my fingers reach up to touch where his smile should be. That is when I suddenly remember we are both on my bed and I quickly glance down.

Whew! Still fully clothed. Thank goodness! I'm just glad he didn't catch me in my pajamas. I really need new pajamas....

My body feels floaty and leaden at the same time and my thoughts are a little scattered. It is, unfortunately, a familiar feeling. I don't need Lobo to tell me what happened now that my head is a little clearer. I know.

I crashed.

"You collapsed in the parking lot. I gave you those sugar things and called your mom. She said to test your blood." I look down at my bandaged fingers. Instead of a simple band-aid or a piece of tissue (that is what I usually do) on the digits, someone wrapped my fingers up like I broke them. I glance up at him and he winces.

Running his fingers through his already wild-looking hair, he apologizes. "Sorry about that. I was nervous. Your mom said to give you more tablets, so I did. You wouldn't chew though. I broke some up for you. I rubbed your throat to make you swallow. I'm not sure if I was supposed to, but I couldn't think of anything else to do. I didn't know if they dissolved, sorry. Is your throat okay? I didn't call the ambulance because..." He makes an impatient sound and smacks the side of the bed. "You being a vampire is really inconvenient."