Sharp Teeth - Sleep Token/Vessel FF

Chapter V

I opened the window but there was nothing there. I tried to call Alan but, as expected, he didn't answer since it was 3 in the morning, so I left a message:

"Alan, I think I'm going crazy. Call me in the morning, I need you."

I had no choice but to try and sleep this one off. My brain had too much alcohol in it to try to come up with a rational explanation. Maybe that was the reason - the alcohol. I don't recall seeing things that are not there when I got drunk but there's a first time to everything. I left the bathroom lights on just in case. No way I was going to sleep in the dark tonight

My alarm woke me up and the hangover was not treating me well. "A nice breakfast will solve this, Ava. Pick yourself up, you gotta work later today again", I said to myself, looking in the mirror.

I rushed to the hotel hall and Jace was already there.

"Damn, you look like you were hit by a truck, Ava. I mean, you look pretty but you're pale as hell. Have you eaten anything?."

"I look THIS bad? I regret drinking that much. I need to eat so get out of my way or join me, I don't care."

"Oh someone is hangry!"

I filled my plate with fruit and french toast. Jace sat in front of me, grabbing so much food I doubted he was human. While I was eating, my phone buzzed.

"Ava, is everything ok? You called me in the middle of the night and I just read your message!"

"Well... Yes and no. I have a massive hangover. And the concert was ok, I think you'll like the photos. But some weird things are happening, Alan. I swear I saw..."

"Oh wow, they are joining the mortals. They never do that" Jace interrupted me, pointing his finger at something behind me. I turned my head to look at whatever he was pointing at just to see the whole band walking down the hall. They were in full gear, masks, body paint, and all. Everyone and their mother looked at them while they walked in but they ignored every presence in the room. 

"Sorry Alan, I have to go. I'll text you with the details later!" I hung up the phone as quickly as I could.

They sat at a reserved table that was pretty far from everyone else and behind a wall so no one could see them. I tried not to think about the creepy events from last night but the more I tried, the more my brain dived into it. Absorbed in my thoughts, I went to grab some more food in the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. While I was deciding if I should eat one or two chocolate muffins, I felt a chill in my spine. Everything went silent around me, and that feeling of having everything around me moving in slow motion happened again.

I felt a heavy breath on my neck. I was able to move this time so I used every drop of courage in me and turned back to face whatever was chasing me, even though I already knew the answer.

Vessel tilted his head and watched me like a lion watches its prey carefully before attacking. He was way taller than me, probably 2m tall. I felt terrified and... safe at the same time. I could feel he meant me no harm and we were so close I could beat or bite him and run away if I wanted to, but I didn't. Not because I couldn't move like the day before, but because I didn't want to run away. I felt hypnotized by this being in front of me.

An adrenaline rush was flowing through my veins as we meticulously looked at each other, face to face. We were so close I could finally see his two ruby eyes staring at me behind the mask.

"Breathe, Ava."

His voice was haunting and deep, echoing inside my head. I was in a trance and forgot to breathe. Everything around me started spinning fast and I felt like fainting. He grabbed me, using one hand to hold my waist and the other to hold my head still. I looked up and saw his lips moving, but I couldn't hear anything. Everything turned black.