Blood Ties

Accidental

The night had started out perfect. Ava felt lighter than she had in days, surrounded by the lively atmosphere of the boardwalk. The lights flickered in neon hues, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air. Paul had dragged her to the fair games, and for once, she didn't feel like the fragile little sister they all needed to protect. Tonight, she just wanted to have fun, be normal for a while, and Paul was good at helping her forget everything else.

Paul, with his carefree attitude and endless energy, was her partner in crime. They raced from game to game, tossing rings, throwing darts, and trying to win stuffed animals. Paul managed to charm the attendants into giving them extra tries. His loud laughter and goofy grins made Ava feel at ease, and soon, she had a large stuffed bear in her arms—her prize for beating him at a shooting game.

"See, I told you I'd win," Ava teased, nudging him with her elbow as they walked down the crowded boardwalk.

Paul scoffed, grinning. "Only because I let you! I was distracted by that clown with the balloon animals."

Ava rolled her eyes but smiled. It was good to laugh like this. For once, she felt like a normal teenage girl hanging out with her brother. The weight of being a vampire, of being so dependent on her brothers for survival, seemed distant. And while her brothers were protective—sometimes overly so—she hated feeling like a burden.

Still, tonight was a good night. It had been fun. The lights, the games, the carefree vibe of the boardwalk made her feel like, just for a few hours, she could be like everyone else.

"I'll be right back," Ava said, handing Paul the stuffed bear as they approached the bathroom area. "Just need to use the bathroom."

Paul waved her off, looking distracted by a nearby arcade game. "Sure thing. I'll be right here if you need me."

Ava nodded and slipped away into the quieter part of the boardwalk where the restrooms were. The laughter and noise from the games faded as she walked, replaced by the low hum of streetlights and the occasional murmur of passersby. It was peaceful in a way, a sharp contrast to the lively chaos of the boardwalk.

But as she stepped into the bathroom, her sense of calm evaporated. She had barely locked the door behind her when it swung open with a loud thud, the heavy footfalls echoing off the tiled walls.

Skull and his gang.

Her heart skipped a beat, and immediately, she knew something was wrong. Skull had always been trouble. He and his Surf Nazi gang made a habit of picking fights and causing chaos, but they had never bothered her directly before. Maybe it was because of her brothers. Maybe it was because they didn't think she was worth the trouble.

But tonight, that changed.

Ava backed up instinctively as Skull and his crew entered the bathroom, their smug expressions turning her stomach. Skull's eyes gleamed with malicious intent as he stepped forward, blocking her only exit.

"Well, well, if it isn't the little Lost Girl," Skull sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Where are your big, bad brothers now?"

Ava felt a cold sweat break out as her back hit the wall. She knew she was in trouble. Her mind raced, trying to think of what to do. She had been taught to defend herself, trained by David and the others in case she ever needed to, but she'd never imagined actually needing to use it. Not like this. Not when she was so outnumbered, so alone.

"Leave me alone," Ava managed to say, her voice surprisingly steady despite the fear that gripped her.

Skull grinned, stepping closer, his gang fanning out behind him. "Oh, don't worry. We're just gonna have a little fun. You freaks have been causing enough trouble around here. Time someone taught you a lesson."

Before Ava could react, one of Skull's guys lunged at her, grabbing her arms and pinning her against the cold tiles. She struggled, panic rising in her throat as Skull approached, his sneer turning into something far more dangerous.

"You think you're special, huh? Just because your brothers are tough doesn't mean you are."

Ava's heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She could feel the danger, the malice in the air. They wanted to hurt her. And her brothers weren't here to stop them.

Skull moved closer, and something inside Ava snapped. In a blur of instinct and fear, she twisted out of the grip holding her. Before she could think, she lunged at Skull, her fangs sinking into his neck. It was a move driven by sheer survival, desperation flooding her senses.

The warm taste of blood filled her mouth as she fed on him, but it wasn't just his blood that coursed through her veins; it was a rush of adrenaline, panic, and fear. Skull gasped, his eyes wide with shock as he realized what was happening. His hands clawed at her, but it was too late. She was already lost in the primal need to defend herself.

In a matter of moments, Skull's struggles weakened, and he crumpled to the floor, lifeless. The rush of power and the horrific realization of what she'd done crashed over Ava like a wave. She had taken a life. Panic gripped her, and she pulled back, trembling as the reality of the blood and violence overwhelmed her.

The rest of the gang froze, horror spreading across their faces as they witnessed the scene. Ava stumbled back, her breath shallow and her heart racing as she stared at Skull's lifeless body, blood pooling around him.

They bolted from the bathroom, fear palpable as they fled, leaving her alone in the silence. Ava turned to the sink, frantically scrubbing her hands under the water, but the blood wouldn't come off. It was everywhere—on her skin, in her hair, the coppery scent making her stomach churn. She could feel the human blood in her veins—foreign and wrong—making her nauseous. No matter how hard she scrubbed, she couldn't wash it away.

Then, the door burst open, and her brothers were there. David was the first to reach her, his face a mixture of worry and fury as he took in the scene—Skull's body, the blood, and Ava's shaking form at the sink.

"Ava," David said softly, stepping closer, his voice calm despite the storm of emotions raging in his eyes. He pulled her into his arms, and she collapsed against him, her body shaking uncontrollably.

"I didn't mean to... I didn't..." she sobbed, her voice barely a whisper.

David stroked her hair, murmuring soothing words, but Ava was too far gone. The human blood made her feel sick, and she could feel it coursing through her veins, wrong and poisonous.

In a desperate attempt to rid herself of it, she bit into David's neck, feeding on him, her body instinctively seeking his blood to flush out the human taint. But the human blood was too strong, and within moments, Ava pulled away, gagging. She doubled over, vomiting the human blood onto the floor, her body violently rejecting it.

David held her, steadying her as she sobbed and retched, the trauma of the night crashing down on her in waves.