A Forest

Chapter Three: The Blood

WARNINGS
gore, self-harm

After thinking over the events that happened I began to walk home. I think I spaced out for the entire walk because I can't remember a single bit. I slowly creak the door open to find that everybody has gone to bed, so I decided to as well. I walk up to my room and take a beige nightgown out from my dresser. I thought about what might be happening back at Malcom's mansion, with me being gone and all; is he worried, has he found someone new, is he looking for me?
My thoughts were put at rest as soon as I tucked myself into the soft bed and my eyelids begin to shut. I had no dreams that night and awoke to the golden sun beaming through my window once again.

A the next three days quickly passed by. Annabeth hasn't spoken to me about the incident but has been giving me weird stares, but that didn't change the fact I could stare into them for hours, maybe even days. Nothing really happened other than that. I kept going on my daily walks, sometimes with Luke joining me. It felt like me and him could talk about anything, no lies ever, I enjoyed that.

Today was the day I had to get blood again. By 5pm my throat was burning and I couldn't think straight. I wanted to get blood yesterday, but couldn't quite find the courage after what happened last time. I know I should have but I just... couldn't. a few hours later the pain in my throat travelled down to my stomach. I let out a quiet groan when this happened. Thankfully I was in my room reading to try to distract me from the pain when this happened. I looked up at the clock which read 11:55. Only 3 more hours until I can leave.

The hours passed agonizingly slow, but eventually it was time. This time I checked the living room before leaving, thankfully no one was there. I once again creaked the door open and left. I couldn't wait a second longer to have the deep red blood dripping down my throat, so I used my ability of vampire speed to get through the forest, its not like anybody would see me anyways. Once I got to the outskirts of the village I slowed down and started heading to the hospital. I was quickly on my way when all the sudden I heard coughing. I looked around and saw no one, until I looked in the direction of the pub. There was a man sitting on the sidewalk smoking a pipe. He had grey hair with a bald spot in the centre of his head and wrinkles scattered around his face. He soon noticed me and smiled.

"Hello young lady, quite late for you to be out isn't it?" He chuckled " Anyways I seem to have lost my way, could you help me back to my granddaughters house?"

I thought about his request. A few more minutes wouldn't hurt. "Of course, sir. Do you remember what direction it was in?"

He began to stand up to point to the direction "I think it was-" He was quickly cut off by slipping on a wet leaf. Blood began to trickle down his knee, I could smell it. Instinctively, my fangs popped out of my face and I lost control. I ran up to him a sunk my teeth into his skin and my hand gripped his arm so he couldn't get away. I haven't done this since my first feeding years ago, and God does it feel good. I sink my teeth deeper and suck the crimson liquid out of his vein, when all the sudden he is ripped from my grasp.

"I-what-" I look up and am shocked to see what stood in front of me. It was Esme.

"How could you!"

"I- Esme I'm sorry I-"

"I thought you were my friend" She cried.

"Esme I am you're friend I- this was an accident it'll never happen again, I swear!" I apologize.

"No. There is no accidents from your kind. And now I have to kill an innocent man so he doesn't become one of you. You're all monsters" She stated, tears running down her face. She grabbed a knife from her back pocked and held it to the mans throat. "I'm sorry" The knife slid smoothly creating a trail of deep red liquid. He let out a small groan before going entirely limp. I gasped and ran to try to stop her but I was too late. "This is all your fault."
She left before I could even speak, and I was left here, with the body of this poor dead man. I did do this. He was already on the brink of death when she caught me. I was the one who killed him.

I walked home in shame that night. I couldn't stop thinking about what she said. When I got to the cottage it had started to rain. I got inside quickly as my tears fell onto the wood flooring. I went upstairs and to my room. I stare at myself in the mirror on my dresser. Small traces of blood still lied upon my lips, which I quickly wiped off with a napkin that was upon the dresser. I went to put the napkin back, and noticed a pair of sharp fabric scissors. I picked them up and lifted up my dress to reveal my thighs. I ran the silver blade across making a deep cut. A jolt of pain went through my legs, I enjoyed it. Malcom made me stop cutting after I moved into the mansion because he wanted my skin to be perfect. It felt good to do this again, to feel all my mental and physical pain morph into one. To feel the cold metal hit my skin. I stopped after around 6 cuts and decided to go to bed.

I woke up to the sun shining through the window once again the following morning. I used all I had to get out of bed. I checked my thighs and just as I expected, the cuts were gone due to my sped up healing. I wasn't in the mood for breakfast, but decided to come downstairs anyways.

"Good morning Claire. How was your sleep?" Marie asked.

"It was decent. I'm not hungry so I'm going to go for a walk" I reply unenthusiastically, and begin to walk towards the door.

"Be back by lunch!" She exclaimed from the kitchen.

I nod even though she can't see me; I didn't have the energy to speak. I walked out the door and to the forest. The forest always calmed me when I needed. The sky was crowded with clouds. It was a cold day and I could tell it will rain later just by the dewy smell surrounding the town. I soon decided to sit by a tree and think; just think nothing more. Much has happened in these past few days and I was worried, especially about what happened yesterday. Suddenly, I hear a twig break behind me. I look back and see... well I don't know what I saw. A flash? A shadow? No, it was a person, but not just a person, it was Esme. Her face was red and covered in tears.

"Esme I-" I tried to say explain myself, and began crying myself.

"Save it. Everybody knows know. They all know what a monster you are, Claire." She told me between sobs.

I didn't have time to speak before more shadows came out, cornering me from every angle. It was the coven. Some of them had pitchforks, others had torches. They all started chanting something, maybe in Latin, and my head started pounding. I knew I had to run.

My feet pounded against the fresh dew along the grass. I could still hear them chanting even louder, but once I got far enough I couldn't anymore and my head stopped hurting. I knew I couldn't go back to the cottage, because they'd know I would be there. I only had once place left. I knew I shouldn't, but what other option did I have?

My feet continued to run as fast as I could, until I stood in front of it, in tears. I took a deep breath while I examined the slightly worn bricks and walked to the door. One knock, no answer. I knocked again and heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I knocked once more and heard the familiar creek of the hinges. It was him. It was Malcom. He stood in front of me, his jet black hair framing his face and a small smirk on his face.

"Hello, princess."