Scarred for life

Chapter 2

"We need to talk about something, Iris." Callum sat me down on a chair. Luna, Damon and Falya sat on other chairs while River sat on the couch. Why did they all look so serious?

"We thought it was time for you to know now", Falya added. "We've known each other for years now and it's unfair to you to hide this." Damon nodded. A nervous feeling began to cramp up in my stomach. "What's up with you all? Tell me!"

"Okay", Callum sighed. "We are vampires."

"What??" My mouth must have fallen open. "But... how?" "Genetics. Somewhere in our history, there must be a vampire ancestor. We discovered like a year ago that we actually all were", said Luna.

"Do you take blood from people?", I blurted out. I saw their shocked faces. "Tell me the truth!"
They sighed. "Yes, we do", River said. "We don't like it though. Happily, it's not that heavy. You just need to take some for like, once a month a few drops. Like a mosquito. If we don't take a lot, nothing happens to the person."
A cold hand clamped my heart. Or at least, that's what it felt like. "Ever taken from me?", I said.
Shocked faces again. "No, of course not!", said Callum. "You are our friend!"

I stood up. "I really need to process all this", I said. "Can I please go?"
"Of course", River said. "But wait a second, we want to ask you-"
But I was already out the door.

I studied vampires after that. I know what their bitemarks look like. I know what they can do to people.
There are vampires in this school.
The thought of it makes a shiver run down my back. What should I do with this knowledge? Should I tell this to anyone? But what will happen to the people who do this?
What will happen if I don't tell anyone?

I need to find out who is doing this and why. When hiding. I snap back into reality. I am still walking on the stairs in a very empty hallway. If I don't find a hiding spot fast, I might be next.
What do I hear behind me on the stairs? I look around. Wait, the toilets. I pop into one of the stalls and make myself as small as I can. Please, don't look over here... I hear the footsteps go past me.
That's definitely more than one person.
What should I do now? I can't keep sitting here forever...

I put my phone away and sigh. Not a sign of Falya, Callum or one of the others. I thought they would at least message me.
After the last time, they really kept their distance until I started talking. But I knew something had changed. I knew something was up. They didn't trust me anymore.

Why was I still longing to talk to them?
Deep down I knew. These were my only friends at this moment. Except for some classmates, they were the only people I talked to.

I was scared, but deep down, I knew. We were going to grow apart.

And that's exactly what happened. I lost all my friends, and after crying a lot about it, I moved on. That's three years ago now. Where did that time go... I still miss them though...
Wait, more footsteps. Oh please don't discover me here...

What if-
Oh goodness, please, don't-
No, I don't want to think about it. It can't be. They would never.

The foodsteps come closer again. I make myself as small as I can. The wall feels cold against my back, even through my dress. I feel my feet tremble. No, don't fall...

I hear the footsteps fade away. Slowly, I open the door of the stalls. No, no one's there. I quickly walk out.
Second floor. The fish are still swimming like nothing is happening. How long have they been there? I remember them from 6 years ago already. The snake in his terrarium is still there too... I hide in the corner next to the terraria before walking on. This is not a good place, with those glass walls. I don't know their location either. I hear their footsteps downstairs. I always had good hearing.

Okay, I should run into a classroom. Preferably an empty one. Why are all those full and locked? They won't let me in. And understandable too.

Well, next to the laptop desk then.
Quick, footsteps are coming up again. I try to look through the dark. I can see the figures quite clearly now. At least four.