Bitten

4.42AM. It has been sixteen hours, four minutes and twenty- one seconds since my home was attacked and I have been staring at this ceiling since. I lay on my double bed, my heart heavy in what now feels like just an old and abandoned childhood home. I have cried for what feels like an eternity and fear that I am dying. My tears run blood red and the first time this happened- just over twelve hours ago- I screamed the house down helplessly at a pitch that even frightened me. I guess its good thing that this house sits far away from any living thing. Well at least that’s what I thought.

Sixteen hours ago, I was sitting at the mahogany dining- room table downstairs with my parents. My father and I were childishly having a staring contest; my emerald eyes to his hazel when we heard an eerie and aggressive bang on the door. We live in a very remote area and hardly have anyone at the door, let alone at this hour. We all jumped in sync and my dad bravely went to answer the door. At that moment, everything seemed to be in slow motion. In the air was an eerie foreboding and my heart rate increased. Adrenalin was starting to pulse around my body, climaxing and making my body shake. The rest happened in a flash; my dad’s blood- curdling scream filled the air and still echoes in my head now. Then he was thrown across the room and I noticed that he was bleeding from his neck at an alarming rate. I couldn’t move it was as if I was glued to my seat. I felt as if I was in a different realm. I mean, this couldn’t be happening. My brain went into overdrive and I was heavily in denial at the situation. Next, my mum was up and thrashing against this tall, dark and mysterious man, screaming over the death of her husband. She was almost oblivious to my presence when she turned and looked at me and mouthed; ‘run’. Next was more screams and more blood.

I was frozen, my limbs were uncooperative and the sight of my parents was the only thing I could register. Once the evil thing was finished with my mother, he stopped and saw me and I could do nothing but stare back in horror. I was standing now though I don't recall moving. He walked over to me with an almost lustful smile on his face; revealing an impressive set of teeth which were dripping with my parent’s blood. I also noticed that his canines were more pointed than what is deemed usual. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard, so afraid and unable to move. Then I felt my hair being swept gently behind my neck and an intense pain that lasted only a second before I blacked out.

When I woke up, I was on the kitchen floor. My head was spinning violently, causing me to throw up. When I finally regained some of my strength I stood up shakily and grabbed hold of one of the dining room chairs for support. I looked around, horrified at the sight of my parent’s lifeless bodies, the look of fear in their eyes and the unfathomable amount of blood was sickening. I felt numb and somewhat unable to register any emotion. Shock was the only thing  my body could register.

Next thing I knew I was in the bathroom across the hall- again without realising that I had actually moved. Looking in the mirror, my dark brown hair, almost black hung limp in waves around my strong features. On my neck I noticed two small puncture wounds and the veins around them were potent. My olive skin looked pale, beads of sweat was forming on my head and I struggled to ignore the pain that started to pulse around my body. I ran the taps and threw the cold water onto my face, embracing the coolness. Then I looked back up at my reflection and was startled at the sudden change in my eyes. My vision was rather blurred, but I could see that the rim around the bright green was black. I looked away immediately and told myself that I was seeing things.

I walked numbly up to my room, knocking a vase of flowers on the way and bumping into the wall before I reached my room; barely functioning. Then I lay on my bed, and that was when the blooded tears started. I screamed and screamed rubbing my eyes until I realised it wouldn’t achieve anything. I just couldn’t get my head around what had happened and I wasn’t ready to call the police. The pain continued and my jaw started to hurt as if it was morphing. I rolled over onto my stomach and then onto my knees; each movement feeling like I was being sawed in half. I started heaving as my body rejected the unbearable pain that was everywhere and then I blacked out.

5.02AM. I have relived the events in my mind hundreds of times and the pain has ceased to almost bearable and I stood, feeling a bit stronger than before and went downstairs to face the massacre of my parents. I froze for a minute and then picked up the phone with a shaky hand, turning away and trying to ignore the ghastly sight of my parents and phoned the police. Whilst waiting, I realised that the smell of their blood was very potent.

When the police came it was like a scene from a movie. I was asked several questions that I was unable to answer; my voice was barely audible, but they were annoyingly patient. They wanted me to go to the hospital but then finally gave in to my adamant decision. My parents were then removed, pictures were taken, the place was lightly cleaned and I was told that they would be in contact. The only thing that I could tell them about the attacker was that he was tall, had dark hair and dark eyes. I didn’t tell them about his teeth because they would think that I’m crazy. They also asked me if he had hurt me but I lied and said no. I was still worried about his whereabouts and about my deteriorating health. I was told to stay somewhere else for the night but I told them that I didn't have anyone and that I would be fine here. They were hesitant, but I’m 22 years old so they didn’t really have a choice.

I decided that I was going to thoroughly clean the house to keep me busy. I put on my iPod and blared the music to keep my mind distracted. Before I knew it I was done and the house was spotless. I felt much better now and sat on the sofa. Suddenly, I was very emotional and it finally hit me that my parents were dead, and they were never coming back. I broke out into uncontrollable red sobs. My body shook violently with grief and I didn't understand why this had happened to me. Add this with the fact that I’m crying blood, I was terrified.

When I was finished, I decided that I had to leave, go anywhere. I hadn’t the foggiest of where and I didn’t care as long as it was far away from here. I felt the need to start fresh. I had no idea what my next steps were, so I started with having a refreshingly hot shower and got dressed into a pair of black skinny jeans- unusual for me- and a dark blue jumper that hangs off one shoulder along with a pair of biker boots. I put my hair into a convenient and neat high ponytail. I was still shocked by the colour of my eyes and hope that it's not permanent. I looked at them, with clarity this time; the dark ring was very distinct and it made the green in my eyes all the more vivid. My eyes were undoubtedly the most noticeable and perhaps the most striking and stunning feature on my face now. Then, looking at my neck, I realised that the punctures were hardly noticeable. I didn’t question it as it would make me feel even more insane than I already do.

My next move was packing a bag of essentials, with a few clothes, water, snack bars and money. I left my phone and anything else behind, I wanted to start a new life where nobody knew me. There is no one here now that my parents are gone anyway so no one would be looking for me. As soon as I got to my front door, my throat went dry and I was suddenly very thirsty. I got a bottle of water out of my bag and finished it in seconds, but it didn’t quench my thirst. I ignored this and set off South leaving my life behind me. I have no idea where I’m going but I was walking regardless. I chose this way, because it is in the direction of a forest. Part of me was reluctant and got the feeling that something else was lurking in there, but I was on the path of vengeance now.

Thinking back to my parents, a lone tear drop rolled down my cheek but I knew it was time to get strong and it only fuelled my anger. I was surprised at my control and would continue this mind set regardless if it made me a closed and cold person. I refuse to mourn for my parents, I will find the man that killed them and avenge their death.