Till I Awaken

Part 3: Shadows

Waking up with a stomach hang over is the worst! I can still feel the after effects of how much I threw up last night. And it makes my mood drp down to a 'if you talk to me I'll kill you'. I hope that message gets across as people look at me, I look like crap. My eyes are puffy, and my throat burns, my make up is smeared clear across my face, and tear filled rats-nest hair! Why do people say crying is good fo you? That you should just let it out? Because I swear they're lying. I quickly got into the shower trying to avoid a mirror. Scrubbing my hair and face so hard, they'll be red for a while. Afterwards I simply put my hair into a high ponytail, and simple mascara and black eyeliner look. I dressed in my dark blue jeans, with tik stitches and a purple tank top. It was supposed to be really warm today, so it's a good time to wear a tank top, and a jacket. I ate a simple bagle, and grabbed my keys right as my phone buzzed. It was a text. From mom.

I'm going to be workign late tonight, because of our big presentation coming up. Order pizza for dinner. Love ya!

What I love about my mom, she knows whether or not she'll be home on time before the day has even started, and she knows exactly when to tell me, to give me time in advance. Before I could step out of the door, I got this stinging feeling, like I was being watched. Which gave me a warnign feeling, I need to defend myself. I knew with all these vampires around, I was probably being watched because of Chance. Thanks a lot Chance! I quickly went into the coat closet, and found the secret trap door, underneath, there were stakes and vampire stuff. Including a blood packet, which we used special herbs to hide the smell. Strong ones. I pulled out a stake and stuck it into my purse, and then grabbed a tube with clear liquid in it. It was a secret recipe Ronin created using herbs and vampire blood mixed with human. It was Chance's blood, half human. Once he mixed them, he added bleach to hide the smell and identity of it, but it didn't get rid of the purpose. Vampire blood is very healing, but use more than a few grams and you will become a vampire once you die. Which can be bad. But Chance's, with a blend of human in it, you can have as much as possible and never turn. So he made it into a potion, if you get hurt, or is dying, you drink it and it'll heal you right up, sort of. It depends on the amount you use. If you are dying, this little wouldn't heal you enough, but it's good for bites. I put that into my bag too. I may have learned tricks to get away from vampires, but they still are faster and stronger than me. I walked out and hear the faintest whispers. In the shadows. Of course. I'm gonna be followed all day. I kept the stake close to my hand as I got into my car and drove to the East Park. I pulled out my phone and dialed Ronin.

"Bev? Whats up?" he answered after two rings.

"Can you get these vampires to stop following me? I would really rather not be watched. I don't want to have to carry this stake in my purse." I replied.

"You're being followed?" he asked.

"Yes! Of course they're keeping their distance, probably because I will kick their ass if they come near me. But still. I prefer privacy." I said.

"Well, there's nothing I can do right now. You want me to watch over you, keep by your side?" he asked. Yeah, cause I really want more vampires watching me.

"No, I don't need a body guard, I can take care of myself." I said.

"But Beverly-" I cut him off by shutting my phone. I went over and sat on the bench, this bench reminded me of the Chance experiences I had. It was over by the playground where all of it happened.

*FLASHBACK*

I was driving by and I spotted Chance's car in the parking lot by the east park. I smiled and pulled in. I wonder what he's doing here? This isn't a place I'd expect him to be. I parked next to his car and got out. It was dark, but bright enough for me to see, it was twilight. I walked around, trying to find him. He couldn't have gone into the forest. Before I considered walking there to find out, I heard a moan come from the playground. I walked closer before I saw one dark figure leaning over another. It was a boy and a girl. The girl didn't move, she was just limp. Like she was asleep. Her hair seemed stained in something. And I could smell alcohol from here. The male seemed to be holding her up, his head dipped into her neck. What on earth? I walked closer, and recognized the body form of the male. Chance! My breathing quickened. What was he doing to her?

"Chance?" I muttered. And I regretted it. He stopped and looked at me. I first saw gleaming white fangs in his mouth, then blood covering his mouth, then I saw her neck, two punctured holes. All this I saw within a fraction on a second. I gasped. He set the girl down wiped his mouth and started walking to me gently. I started hyperventilating. What was he? I turned around and ran with all my might to my car.

"Beverly!" he called. I felt tears in my eyes and a scream escaped my lips as he ran after me. Right as I reached my car a blast of wind hit me before strong arms stopped me, holding me to my car. How did he get to me so fast?!

"Bev, calm down. I'm sorry you had to see that." he rushed his words. I struggled to get free. My fear was strengthening.

"Somebody help me!" I called. But we were too far away from civilization for anyone to hear. He put his hand on my face to calm me. But it only made me more scared.

"Beverly, it's okay, i'm not going to hurt you." he whispered. I stared into his dark eyes. His fangs still out, I thougth they only existed in movies.

"Vampire." I said breathlessly. I looked at the girl, she was lying down, and I saw her chest move up and down. She was alive!

"Bev, I'm only half vampire, I didn't kill her. She was drunk, and I only needed a little bit to quench my thirst. I'm sorry, you weren't supposed to know." he explained. "She won't remember anything. She'll wake up thinking she got drunk and passed out here. Please Bev, forgive me." he begged. Tears were streaming with fear. I couldn't look away from his fangs.

"Stay away from me." I whispered. Waiting for my death to come. I looked away, but once I looked back his fangs were gone. And his eyes were back to their original color. His grip loosened and he stared at me with an expression I've been wanting him to give me for a long time. Love, compassion, and undertsanding.

"I won't hurt you. I promise." he stated. I believed him. I could feel the truth in his words.

*FLASHBACK OVER*

That memory lingered in my mind. When I heard thunder rolling in and hard rain began to fall. It was about 2 pm, and the warm weather didn't last. It was so hard and cold I had to put on my jacket. But it soaked right through. I was walking back to my car when I saw a dark figure by the woods. I looked closer and saw a face I recognized.

"Kieyera?" I whispered. I started walking to hr when she disappeared into the trees. It couldn't have been Kieyera. She's dead. Stake through the heart. How is it that I saw her? I was in the middle of the baseball field, looking in the trees, knowing that she was watching me from behind the shadows of the trees. "Kieyera." I said just a little louder. My best friend...

"Beverly!" a familiar voice called. I felt wind and turned around to see Chance. "What are you doing out here? There are vampires surrounding this place! I came here tracking them, smelled all the vampires around every corner, and then smelled you! Why are you walking around alone?! They could have been planning to have a feast on you." he said. I just stared at the place where I saw her. "Bev?"

"I saw her! I saw Kieyera!" I answered.