Stay with me

Chapter 8: Blood

Bit of a shorter chapter this time! Oops
But I hope you still like it
Love you

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Drip, drip, drip. Simon could hear it like a steady pulse. Drip, drip, drip. On and on it went. His whole body felt numb and he was having difficulty opening his eyes. It was as if someone had glued them shut. Eventually he managed, squinting even though he was surrounded by darkness. Not a single ray of light.

Simon tried to maneuver his arms but was greeted with the clanking of chains. He realized that he was suspended over some sort of hole with his arms above his head. Chains connecting to his feet latched on to the sides somewhere.

Simon still wasn't sure what that odd dripping sound had been that had awoken him. Surely something unpleasant.

But what could he do? He was dangling there like raw meat waiting to be butchered. Simon had to act fast if he was going to escape.

"Well, well, well," said a condescending voice. "What have we got here?"

"Let me go," he rasped. His throat was awfully dry.

"Are you thirsty?"

Instead of replying, Simon broke out into a coughing fit.

His eyes had adjusted to the dark and now he could see the woman approaching. She had wild, curly brown hair and soft baby blue eyes. She couldn't have been more than sixteen.

"Hello, former brother. I'm Lauren, head of this vampire clan."

She received a moan in answer. Unfortunately, Simon couldn't manage to form any words. He really needed some water.

Lauren put down a wooden board and walked across to where Simon was, high above the ground. He saw a flash a silver, a knife maybe, and then a second later it was gone.

"Drink this," she told him and put her wrist to his mouth. It was wet.

Realizing what it was, Simon tightened his lips. Blood smeared across his lips and cheeks.

"Don't resist."

He kept struggling. But soon his fatigue and Lauren's strength overtook him and a drop went into his mouth. It was bitter sweet and for some reason, he wanted more. He knew what he was thinking was wrong, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't seem to control himself. A tidal wave of greed and thirst had overtaken him.

Simon licked his lips, a fuzzy feeling starting in his stomach. It was addictive.

"More," he gasped desperately.

Lauren allowed him more, pressing her wrist to his mouth, letting him drink. It was so incredibly refreshing.

"That's right child, give in."

She started to pull back and Simon started straining to reach.

"Please!" he cried.

Lauren smirked. "Once a vampire, always a vampire."

She started to leave and Simon sobbed, "I'm... so..... thirsty."

Momentarily turning back, Lauren smiled knowingly. "Above you."

With that, she was gone.

Simon titled his head up and felt a drop on his face. He opened his mouth and caught one. The same bitter sweet taste. Blood. That was what the dripping noise had been earlier. Ah, it was good.

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Later, he realized the full extent of what he had done. Simon had drunk the blood of a vampire. And he knew what would happen next.

He had been so weak; like a puppy begging for scraps. Once it had started, he couldn't stop it. It had felt so natural, so bizarrely normal. Maybe Lauren was right.... Once a vampire, always a vampire.