Blood Lust

Everything's Spinning

Atlas groaned, he had a headache and not one of Amena's remedies were working, not even simple drug store medications.

"I'm so dizzy." He said.

"Yep, we're looking for remedies." Amena said.

"Woah. It looks cool but the motion sickness is not."

Amena looked at Atlas puzzled, and started to laugh. "What?"

"Everything's spinning."

"Did you try water?" Kate said.

"Yep, he's hydrated."

"I peed four times already." Atlas said, holding up the number four with his hand.

Kate laughed. "Okay, thank you for the TMI Atlas."

"You're welcome. Can you remind me again why you were away?"

"I was away on a business trip."

"For?"

"Business."

"Okay, that's good enough. Thanks." Atlas said, standing up out of the chair he sat in. He blinked hard and shook his head.

"No don't do that or you'll-" Amena's words were cut short.

Atlas collapsed on the hardwood floor.

"Pass out." She finished the sentence and walked over to the boy that now laid on the floor. She picked him up and put him on the couch, sighing.

"What exactly do you do with him when I'm not here?" Kate said.

"Not much, make sure that he doesn't leave."

"So he's confined to the house?"

"Yeah, for now."

"Until when?"

"Until tomorrow."

"What's happening tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, Devin is gone."

"Oh." Kate said, pursing her lips. "Gone, like gone for good?"

"Yep. Gone for good."

Jett ran inside the house screaming. "Mom, we need you. Now."

Amena's eyes widened, and she ran out to the front deck, Kate close behind her.

"Give us the boy." Devin said, staring at Amena.

"I'm sorry but you are not welcome here." Amena said.

"Trust me, I'm well aware that I am not welcome here. Just give me Atlas and I'll be on my way."

"Where's the rest of you? Out sick?"

"Sadly they couldn't make it. Had a few other things to handle. You have two options. You give me Atlas, or you give me Madison."

"How about we give you neither?" Amena said, her eyes flashing a blood red.

"We can play this game. Have Atlas meet me in the woods tomorrow at dawn. It's him or her." Devin said, pointing at Madison.

====

Atlas jolted up, blinking hard.

"Good, you're awake."

Atlas looked to his right, Amena sat on a dark blue armchair that was placed in the living room. Everyone stood around her.

"What's going on?" Atlas asked, his voice giving off a husky tone.

"Devin wants you or Madison."

"Let him take me. I've been telling you guys this for the past week."

"No, he's not just going to take you." Carter said.

"He's basically going to sell you on the black market for vampires." Madison chimed.

"Wait what?"

"He wants more money, Atlas. He doesn't want to just give you to some random vamp of higher power for weak pay."

"Do you feel any better?" Amena said.

"No, the world is still spinning."

"Okay, get some sleep, he wants to see you at dawn."

"Dawn?"

"Yep."

"I can barely get myself up for school. What makes him think I'll be up at dawn?"

"No one knows."

====

Atlas yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Time to kill a vampire."

"Yep. It is that time. Scream if you need anything."

"Okay, got it Carter."

"Jane will be tracking you so we'll know if anything happens, and we have Rose."

"Okay, I'll be fine. Don't worry."

"I should be worried. Very worried." Carter said, flashing Atlas a half smile.

"Thanks for the encouragement."

"You're welcome. Now go."

Atlas walked into the woods, looking back only once before heading to the clearing.

The open field was empty once again. Just like the last time he was there. Atlas turned, looking behind him. He didn't want Devin to sneak up on him like Madison had done.

A low chuckle could be heard not far from Atlas, making him turn.

"Hello Mr. Gray." Devin said, his accent prominent in his voice.

"Wow, I'm really liking the accent."

Devin scoffed. "You know that we're not here for that."

"I do know that we're not here for your accent. So tell me, why are we here?"

"Since there is no Madison, I guess my target is you."

"Yeah. I guess so."

Devin ran at Atlas and grabbed the boy's head, grasping it in his hands. He chuckled before slamming Atlas into the dirt, making the boy groan in pain.

"You really believe that you're stronger than a vampire? Out of all creatures, a vampire versus a human?"

Atlas laid on the ground, writhing in pain. Devin grabbed the boy by his hoodie and slammed him against a tree.

"You think you're stronger than me? Atlas Gray stronger than me?"

"Yeah, I do." Atlas retorted.

Devin slammed Atlas against the tree knocking the wind out of the boy.

"Aww, I'm sorry." Devin said. He dropped the boy and Atlas fell to his knees.

Devin slowly walked away, managing to get halfway to the middle of the forest plain before Atlas got up and walked to him.

"Wow, you don't give up easily." Devin said.

Atlas swung but Devin's reflexes were too fast. Devin dodged Atlas's punch, and swung back, hitting the boy square on the nose.

Atlas laughed. "If you want me, you're going to have to kill me."

"Why would I kill you when they can?"