Bites & Bruises (ManxMan)

Eight

My heart was in my throat, the darkness seeming to play tricks on my eyes. Surely that shadow didn't just move?

I had been in the forest for less than ten minutes and already I regretted trying to be the big, brave vampire I was supposed to be. My stomach seemed to roll yet I wasn't sure whether that was due to my hunger or because of the fear creeping up my spine the deeper I went.

It was quiet, the wolves seeming to not be around and for that I was at least a little grateful. I didn't need another running in with that asshole who had bitten me, that thought had me scowling, how was I to know that I wasn't suppose to wander anyway?

You know now, my subconsciousness sneered, yet you're dumb ass is doing it anyway.

Shoving my thoughts aside, I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the smells around me. Before dawn I needed to have something to eat or else I would go stir crazy cooped up in that house with Mr. and Mrs. Trouble.

The wild life was hidden, as if they knew that danger was approaching and yet it didn't stop me honing in on my senses and going into hunt mode once I decided a deer would have to do for now.

Picking up my pace I moved silently through the trees, jumping over fallen logs as I went. The weather had been relentless, the rain and wind picking up as the month seemed to get colder with each passing day, it had taken it's toll on the forest.

Most of the trees that grew there were still living and I briefly wondered what type they would have to be to survive the winter but my pondering didn't last long.

The deer I was tracking came into sight and I instantly dropped down to the ground, hidden by a shrub of some sort.

I watched it eat, slowly rising its head to scan the area around it. It's brown eyes seemed to linger where I was, ear twitching as if it was straining to hear any type of movement. It was in that moment that I was slightly glad I didn't have to breath so much, knowing that the hot puffs of air would of snagged the animal's attention.

When it seemed satisfied that it was safe to take another bite of it's meal, the deer lowered its head and that's when I struck. I lunged into the air and landed on top of the beast which let out a noise of surprise, bucking on instinct to try and throw me off.

It darted forward and then seemed to stop itself from moving any further, swinging it's head from side to side to try and knock me yet I tightened my grip on the beast's neck and caused it to panic. I could almost taste the fear rolling off the innocent animal.

Bucking harder, it managed to catch my ankle with it's hind leg it's struggles were futile.

In less than five seconds I was wrapping my hands around it's large head and snapping it's neck, the noise of protest suddenly stopping yet my ears were ringing.

With a grunt I let the body drop to the ground before crouching low and bringing it's neck to my mouth. I held on tight, eyes darting around wildly as I drank as fast as I could; the feeling of someone watching me had the hairs on my arms rise.

The blood warmed my body and now that I felt a little more like my old self, I finally let my muscles relax. I couldn't deny that I wanted more... wanted something a little different than the bland animal blood I was so used to drinking after so many years yet the deer had sated my needs for a while, making me more grounded which was something at least.

Slowly, I set the corpse down and ran my fingers through it's brown fur. It was soft under my touch and for a long time I did nothing but caress it's skin, lost in memories.

"No please Sir, I beg of you!"

Chuckling, I slowly shook my head and gripped him harder, eyes ablaze as I showed him my true form. The untainted fear in the human's eyes did nothing but spur me on, making me stalk him, causing him to back up till he slammed against the wall.