Tracing Lines of Red

Tracing Lines of Red (chapter 11)

I found myself at some kind of lake. There was a waterfall in the back, coming from some river, emptying out at this lake. I stared at my reflection. My clothes were bloodstained. My body was scratched up everywhere from the branches and from tripping multiple times. I was sore from running. My throat was still burning from hunger. The feeling had spread to my very core. The only thing I wanted was blood. I had killed several animals along the way, but none were satisfying. I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned, coming face to face with Raven. His hand slipped under my chin and he forced my head to the side. His fangs tore into my neck, my blood pouring out. He continued to drink until I was unable to stand. He lay me down on the ground. And then he left.

I passed out after that. I don't know how long. When I woke, I realized the sun would rise in an hour. I wouldn't be able to get back to the house. Not in my state. I was weak, low on blood, and far from the house. Even if I could get up, I wouldn't be able to walk all that way. The hunger that had driven me crazy earlier, still did. Except now, it also weakened me completely.

Tears streamed down my face as I lay there. I was so pitiful. I groaned as another attack of hunger struck. The sun would be up soon. It normally wouldn't affect me too much. But in my state, I think it could kill me. Slowly and very painfully, I got to my feet. I headed back into the forest. Even if it was daytime, the forest provided plenty of cover. I would make it back eventually.

I was practically walking on autopilot, my eyes half closed. I didn't even notice Shadow until I walked right into him.

"I waited for you to get back. About time. Want me to carry you? You can barely stand."

He picked me up unceremoniously, just slinging me over his shoulder. Forgetting my hunger, I let myself fall asleep.

•••••••••••••

I came to in my own bed. It was still daytime. I turned to see Raven sitting on the edge of the bed. His hand went to my neck, his fingers piercing the skin. The scent of my blood filled the room. His eyes glowed red as he lowered his head to drink.

"How much are you going to take?" I muttered.

I felt him looking into my mind by tasting my blood. Looking through memories and feelings. I let him. It's not like I could stop him.

Then he bit into his wrist and pressed it to my lips. I gave in to the intense hunger, drinking the blood greedily, energy beginning to course through my veins. He suddenly pulled his hand away. I sat up, my eyes glowing red. I wanted more.

"No." he said. "This is your lesson. There are times when blood is not available. You need to learn to survive without it for a while."

He left again.

Another long night of dealing with this hunger. A knock came at my door. I opened it, revealing Shadow.

"Come with me." He grabbed my hand and headed for the window. He threw it open and started to step out.

"We're on the second floor." I said.

"I'll live. You will too. Now come."

I reluctantly jumped out. The landing didn't hurt, surprisingly. Vampires are stronger than humans after all. Shadow did some kind of roll thing, landing safely. We started walking through the woods. I simply followed him. Eventually we were back at that lake I had been at last night.

"Thanks." I said, staring at the ground, unable to meet his eyes. "For carrying me during the day. It was dangerous. If I hadn't been so weak and exhausted, I probably would have killed you."

"I trust you, remember?" He stood in front of me and began to take off his jacket. "That's why I'll let you continue. To finish what you wanted to do so badly."

He tugged on the collar of his shirt and turned his head to the side. I quickly averted my eyes, avoiding the bare skin and the veins that my eyes spotted so easily.

"Stop, Shadow. Even if I do this, Raven will know immediately. He could smell your blood from miles away."

"I don't care. He's being too harsh. He almost killed you last night. And now he won't give you enough blood. That'll end in disaster eventually."

I shook my head. "I can control it. So stop. I don't need this."

"Yes, you do!" He grabbed my shoulders and shoved me a bit. I took a step back. He took that knife out, again. I swatted it away. He pulled out another one.

"Stop already!" I grabbed his hand, trying to wrestle the knife out of his hands. Of course, it cuts my hands open, my blood spilling. I let go of the knife.

Shadow reached out, bringing his lips to the cut, about to lick it.

"No!" I quickly pulled my hand back. "What are you doing? If even a drop of my blood enters your blood stream, you'll turn into a vampire! And don't even try hurting yourself with that knife. My blood is all over it."

He threw it into the lake and then pulled out another one. I groaned. How many did he have? I tried taking it away or swatting it again but he held on tightly. Before I could stop him, he brought the knife up....

And stabbed me.

"What?" I said, confused. He twisted the knife and I cried out in pain. "What are you doing?"

He pulled the knife out and I sank to my knees, working on healing. When I was finally done, I felt a horrible burning in my throat. A blazing inferno. I realized why both he and Raven had stabbed me. To make me hungry. They had different reasons, but the same mission.

I grabbed Shadow's arm, roughly pulling him down to me. I bit down hard, no longer able to control myself. The warm, sweet blood poured into my mouth, calming me down. I could hear myself drinking his blood, gulping it down desperately. He cried out in pain and I quickly put my hand over his mouth while my other hand gripped his shoulder.

Images flashed through my mind. A fierce but kind looking couple, murdered by a vampire. Impaled by a bare arm, their hearts ripped out. The vampire feeding on the corpses. That vampire slowly approaching, red eyes glowing. Terror. Pure fear. Racing through my veins. Then blood, spilling from my neck, sharp fangs tearing into me. My heartbeat slowing. Death is close.

I was saved by another vampire.

Shaking in fear. Remembering the teachings of hunters. Never show fear. Kill all vampires. They are the enemy. Peace is not an option.

Death is the only way out.