Holes

C4: Tattoo

Chapter4: Tattoo

Michael's POV.

The girl was tough. Too tough and too stubborn and too careless. She had no idea who she was messing with.

I hadn't fed her for two days and she was already getting crabby and more vulnerable. It didn't help that I fed from her earlier that morning. I was just adding to her state, which already wasn't good.

I stood at the bottom of the basement steps, watching her sleep. Her chest moved up and down as she breathed, making her look so much smaller and younger than she really was. She wasn't dreaming, though I was sure she'd have nightmares if anything. How could she have good dreams around me?

She stirred and rolled onto her side, her hair falling in front of her face. She mumbled something but didn't wake up.

I walked over to her and picked her up in my arms. She felt thinner than before. Her eyes had dark circles under them.

She groaned and hid her face in my chest, her hand gripping the front of my shirt. If she knew who she was doing this to, she'd stop immediately. She'd freak out and beg me to let her down. But she was still asleep and she didn't know it was me.

I laid her on the couch in the living room, covering her with the old throw I had on the back. She curled into a ball, a small trickle of drool coming from the corner of her mouth. She was such a human.

I poured myself a glass of blood and leaned against the counter, staring at the doorway as if she would walk in any second. I wasn't sure why I was expecting her to. She was asleep and I knew that. I could hear her breathing and her thoughts were still muddled and cloudy.

The phone rang and I quickly grabbed it to silence it. "Hello?"

"Michael, it's Eddie. There's an auction going on in Fairbanks on some human girls. Want in on the action? I can make a bid for you and keep the girl til you get here."

"Thanks for the offer but I will have to decline. I have a human here already."

"Really. How's that shaping up?"

"Fine, I suppose. She's very stubborn."

He laughed. "Aren't they all?"

"I've withheld food from her for a few days now. I'm thinking that will make her crack."

His laughter faded. "You know she'll die within a day or so. Being malnourished isn't good for humans."

"I'm just trying to prove a point and make her a little more tough. She'll thank me later."

"I hope you know what you're doing."

"Eddie, I'm fine. She's fine. Stop worrying about everyone."

"It's in my genes."

I rolled my eyes. In the living room, the girl started to wake up. "I have to go."

"I'm coming up in a few days. I'd like to meet this girl."

"Bring yours too. You never know how much blood we may need and I'm almost out."

"I've got you covered." And with that, he hung up.

The girl stood in the doorway, her hair a knotted mess. There was dried drool on her cheek but she didn't bother with it. I wasn't sure she even knew it was there. The blanket was wrapped around her shoulders, hiding just how small she had become.

I held her gaze, waiting for her to say something. She was thinking of what to say, trying to figure out the best way to approach me. It was a smart move.