Blood Sins

The Message

Juno's POV:

I sprint as quickly as I can to my bus, desperately hoping Andy won't follow after me. I do not want to continue that conversation. Being alone with him in that empty hall made me feel so on edge. ~Damn, hearing him admit to killing that girl was rough...I really wanted him to say it was someone else. Why couldn't he have just lied to me. It would've been easier than hearing the truth.~ But in all honesty, it wouldn't have been easier. No matter what his response was, I already knew he was responsible for that murder. ~Just thinking about it makes me nauseous.~ Images of the prior dead girl in Andy's room flash through my mind making me feel uneasy.

Eventually I made my way onto my bus and I sat down in an empty seat. I spend the whole bus ride heavily dissociating while staring out the window. By the time I begin to enter reality once more I see that we've arrived at my stop. I step off the bus and head to my house. Once I arrive I go inside and set my bag down on the couch. I quickly head up to my room, all I can think about is the safety of my bed. Just as I settle under my blankets I hear my phone vibrate. I reach over and unlock it.

Andy: Hey I know you don't really want to talk to me right now, but can you please come over for a few. I have something really important that I need to show you.

I stare at his message for a moment pondering what could be so important. ~Is he making this up just so he can get me over to his house again??~ I weigh the options over in my mind and decide that I better head to his house despite my better judgment.

Juno: Yeah, I'll be there in a few.

Andy: Cool, thank you:)

I almost begin crying as I force myself to stand up, my bed was so comfy and I hated having to leave it. I quickly throw on my shoes and begin walking to his house. My stomach is in knots and my body is begging me to turn around and go home. ~When did I become this afraid of my best friend?? How did things get this fucked up so quickly.~ I feel a pang of sadness race through my chest. After a few minutes I arrive at his house and walk towards the front door. I knock lightly, and wait for a moment. I hear the door unlock and my anxiety almost makes my heart jump into my throat. I notice myself obsessively picking at my fingernails but no matter how hard I try I can't seem to make myself stop. The door swings open to reveal Andy waiting in front of me. He has an expression on his face that I can't quite read. He moves to the side and motions for me to come in. I step in cautiously and wince when I hear the door shut behind me. I half expect him to rip my throat out right there, but to my relief he doesn't. Instead he quickly walks into the kitchen and sits down at the table. There's a piece of paper and an envelope laying out in front of him. My curiosity gets the best of me and I make my way into the kitchen as well. "What is this?"

"It's a letter, it was placed out on my doorstep. I found it when I got home."

"Oh, who's it from?"

"No clue, but it's addressed to me."

"Okay...well what does it say??" ~If this is so urgent then why are you dragging it out? Just read the damn letter so I can go home already!~ He hesitates for a moment before picking up the letter and reading it out loud. "Dear Andrew, I've been observing your recent transformation from afar and I can tell that you are struggling with these newfound changes. You must be very confused and I'm sure that you have many questions. Luckily for you I have the answers that you seek. If you wish to know more about what you have become, then meet me at 1629 Maplewood RD tomorrow at sundown." Once he's finished reading he glances up at me, scanning my face for a reaction. I run the words over in my mind again. "Wow okay. That's not ominous at all."

"Yeah I know...honestly I'm so confused." His face twists as he becomes lost in thought.

"Okay well have you checked out where that address is located yet? I don't think I've ever heard of it." He nods his head and reaches for his phone.

"I looked it up on google maps, apparently it's way out in the woods." I study the map in confusion, the only things left out there are old cabins and a shit ton of trees.

"Andy, this all sounds dangerous and extremely sketchy. You're not seriously gonna go right??" he fixates on the table for a moment, running the options through his mind.

"I don't know, I mean I'd really like to find out more about what's happening to me. And if this person says that they have answers then I think I should at least try to get them. Besides I'm like freakishly strong now and I can't really be hurt so I should be fine." I sigh and shake my head in disapproval. "Andy, I really don't think you should go."

"Juno if something like this happened to you wouldn't you want answers too?? I'm going to keep hurting people if I don't do something soon. I don't want to be a murderer for the rest of my life." his voice begins to crack and I want to hug him but I can't bring myself to do it. I still feel better keeping my distance. ~I'm never going to be able to forgive myself if he goes out there and something bad happens to him. Ughhh what should I do??~ I stare down at my feet and panic internally. I've never been good at making decisions. "Juno, I'm sorry but I'm going out there tomorrow. I have to"

"Fine, then I'm going with you." the words leave my lips before I can even process what I've just said. His eyes widen in shock, he's surprised by my response. I feel surprised as well. "I don't know if that's a good idea, like you said it could be dangerous and I don't want to put you at risk."

"You said that you're freakishly strong now right? So that means you can protect me if something bad happens. I don't want you going out there alone. Either I go with you or you don't go at all." ~What the fuck am I saying?? Shut the fuck up Juno!! I don't want to go out there!! Why am I still talking?!~ Even though my head is screaming at me to stop, for some reason I continue pushing for him to let me go as well. My mouth betraying my brain for the billionth time. There's a moment of silence between us as he tries to decide what he wants to do. "Alright fine Juno, you can go with me. I'll make sure to keep you safe the best I can. I promise I'll protect you." ~But who's gonna protect me from you??~ I scold myself for allowing such thoughts to enter my head. I can only nod back to him in response. This is followed by an awkward silence that lingers between us for a few minutes. "Okay...well I guess I'm gonna head home for the night. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, would you like me to walk you home?"

"No!" This comes out more harsh than I had intended it to and I can tell that my sharpness upsets him. ~I already have to spend tomorrow alone in a car with him, I'd rather not spend tonight with him as well.~ I wave goodbye to him and he stands to walk me to the front door. I hold my breath as he does, feeling my anxiety return. He holds the door open for me as I leave. ~I hope tomorrow goes by fast.~