The Heart Of A Vampire

chapter seventy three: the explanation pt 1

"You up for some lunch?" he asked "It's not exactly a five star meal, I'm afraid, but I tried my best."

Shakily, she began to sit up in bed, her arms trembling as she tried to hold herself up.

Noting her struggles, he quickly set the tray down on the bedside and began to help her, angling her back up against the pillow.

"There you go," he murmured softly as she finally got herself comfortable.

"Better now?" he asked.

She nodded, though she didn't appear to be paying much attention to him. Her eyes outed her true interest- the food.

He looked behind him to where she was staring, and found that she was practically frothing at the meal laid out.

A look of realization appaeared on his face as he fought back a laugh, moving to grab the tray and bring it over.

He picked up a spoon and shoved it into the rice before bringing it up to her lips.

He was once again feeding her, and she still didn't protest. At this point he couldn't tell if she was letting him because she was sick, lazy, or just liked getting fed.

Either way, he didn't particularly care.

After the rice, he moved on to the chicken, cutting it up for her in order to make it easier to eat. Once she was finished, he handed her a glass of water to wipe it all down.

"Are you still hungry?" he asked "I believe I have some extra chicken I can cook up for you."

She shook her head no.

"Just stay with me."

He blinked, a little startled by the request. He had been expecting that after such a terrible night, she would want only to be left alone.

But he certainly didn't mind this turn of events.

And so he settled himself down beside her, taking a seat on a nearby chair.

He gazed down at her warmly, his eyes drifting over her frame for a moment before he spoke.

"Do you think you're feeling better enough to recount what happened?"

She nodded, but made no move to speak, instead appearing to go deep into thought.

Vlad assumed that she was simply trying to go over the events that had transpired, figuring out a way to get it all out coherently.

Soon enough, she spoke.

"Theo.." she began "The paper boy-"

He cut her off.

"Did he do this to you?"

She shot him a look.

"My apologies. Please continue."