Blood pact

Act III | part 30

The day before the fight, Ava was anxiously pacing back and forth in her room, feeling like a student who had to study at the last moment for the big exam. She wasn't able to see Lynn these past two weeks, nor Marcus, who would come to check on her on the daily. Now she was left alone with only her thoughts to keep her company. Even Ruby who previously knocked on her door at the same time each day was nowhere to be found. She tried asking one of the many vampires patrolling the hallways about her and Marcus's whereabouts, but the answer was always: "We are not allowed to give out any information, boss's orders."

Unsatisfied with the same words being tossed at her, she decided it was about time she went to search on her own. She noticed Elenor on the second floor, sitting on the carpet in a fetal position while surrounded by other vampires who were seemingly disturbed by her, judging by their faces. Upon a closer look, Ava saw that one of them was bleeding from a massive wound in their shoulder. Someone whispered "I told you not to get any closer to her. She's gone completely off the rails."

Syd came in angry, telling the crowd of spectators to disperse and leave her alone. He snatched her up without hesitating and she didn't seem to show any hostility toward him.

"What's wrong with you?" He scolded her. "I've been acting so weird lately, weirder than your usual self."

Ava stepped closer to them. Perhaps she could use the time while he was distracted to ask questions.

"Syd, do you know where I can find Marcus?" She asked.

"No, I haven't seen that little turd in weeks, why?" He shook his head without giving it much thought. "As you can see I have other issues right now. This idiot here is trying to get herself killed and I didn't know for how much longer I could cover for her before the boss finds out."

"How about your boss?"

"She is..." he bit his tongue, remembering that he wasn't supposed to tell. "I have no idea."

Ava knew he was lying, but decided that ultimately it would be best to not be persistent and left without saying anything.

***

As he was left with no human blood for two weeks (or any blood for that matter), Lynn started to feel the changes taking hold of him. Every single tooth in his mouth grew sharper, he even cut his tongue a few times when he tried to feel their shape. His skin was nearly translucent. He could see the black veins bulging on his arms when he pulled his sleeves. He was grateful there were no mirrors around for he was too afraid to look at his reflection.

The terrible screeching of the other inmates almost started to make sense to him. Instead of pointless screaming, they sounded like cries for help. The hunger was driving them mad. Lynn wondered when it would be his time to join them. He barely noticed when Ruby entered the premises, unannounced. Her silhouette loomed over him as he struggled to get up. She was carrying a blood pack, which she tossed at him without saying a word.

Consumed by bloodthirst, he didn't give it a second thought before downing its contents. Something he quickly regretted as he soon began vomiting profusely.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Ruby asked, lifting an eyebrow. "It's just some strawberry juice. Oh, wait. My bad, I forgot you cannot eat any human food." She twisted her lips in a smile. "What a shame."

"Came here to torment me?" Lynn said in a faint voice. "I expected no less from you. Perhaps you derive some sick type of pleasure from seeing the suffering of others."

"No need to flatter me. I just wanted to see if you had turned yet. In the end, I might not even need you for my plan. "She leaned forward. "Do try to keep your sanity until tomorrow for me, ok? In case I need to hold my end of the deal."