HEMATIC

Chapter Three: First Blood

So that's how you ended up with a dead bird on your floor.  You were currently screaming at Vesper about it.  "Sweetheart I'm sorry, really.  I was just so hungry."  He spoke so apologetically, but the creature on the floor was so mutilated you couldn't accept this attitude towards what he had done.  It had been two days since you found out about your contract with Vesper, and things had been quite calm, even rather pleasant. 

He cleaned your apartment every day, and after getting home every day you always found every room spotless.  This on its own wasn't that impressive (as it was only a small space), but he also did laundry, ironed clothes, washed dishes, cooked meals... anything you could think of to do.  This was a huge time saver for you, allowing you to focus on your studies completely as you had no chores to do.  You still went to work, which Vesper was upset with, but compared to what you were used to, there was so much free time.  You almost thought that it wouldn't be so bad to keep Vesper around, and you started to forget why he was even here in the first place: blood.

"I hope you're fucking happy with yourself," you exclaimed.  You didn't know what to do about the bird, you walked in from work at about eleven at night, and were met with a bad smell, then when you walked into the kitchen, you found Vesper eating a pigeon, and the freshly made meal on the table was no longer appealing. 

"I'm not, I'm still hungry, I told you, I'll die without your blood."  He said, still sitting cross legged on the floor.  He had some blood crusting around his lips, and his nails appeared sharp and thick, with small feathers stuck to whatever else coated his fingers in a dark concoction.  You didn't know if you wanted to ask Vesper to get rid of the bird or if you wanted to do it yourself; both options seemed equally disgusting.  "I am sorry, I wasn't thinking straight, it's hard to when I'm so hungry.  You should know anything becomes ugly when it's desperate enough, even if it won't fix anything."  You couldn't argue with desperation, but that didn't mean you were happy to have seen this.

"Did you do this any other times I wasn't here?"

"No, darling," he responded.  You didn't have anything else to say to him.  "I'll clean this, sweetheart, you can take your food to your room while I do it, I'll run you a bath."  He stood up and began to wash his hands, which you had observed had turned back to normal.  He then started taking out chemicals from under the sink.

"I'm not hungry," it was true that you were queasy now, you lost your appetite completely, but you had to admit that while driving home, you were actually looking forward to the thought of enjoying the meal prepared by Vesper.  He looked at you darkly, and turned to face you completely. 

"My dear, you are going to eat what I have made for you, you will not get sick on my watch."  You were quiet for a second, observing him.  His demeanor made you suddenly realize that he was more than you.  It would only take one thing too much to set him off, and then you'd be just like that pigeon.  You suddenly put into perspective that by even being around him, you were gambling your life, and that's why he had to go. 

You must've been making a face, because Vesper's eyes softened, "honey, I didn't mean to make you cry, I just don't want you to go hungry, I wouldn't hurt you, I can't even drink your blood unless you're alive."  You reached up to touch your face, and your hand came back wet, but you hadn't even realized you started crying.  Your ears perked up at that valuable piece of information, however.  He needed you alive.  He needed you alive or he himself would die of hunger, if nothing else killed him first.  If it even could.  "You don't have to eat if you're really not hungry, but I'd appreciate it if you did, let me know if you'd like that bath."  He returned to cleaning the bloodied mess on the floor.  You picked up the plate, and went to your room, you had a long night ahead of you.