Love thicker than blood

Chapter 2: Eliza

We remained friends for a about two months after that, and I had later found out that he was right next door to me (if you're curious, we had left each other with a hug, and started walking down the same street. It was rather awkward, to be honest, but still hilarious.) but I was still concerned for him. We were as close to each other as two people could get, without being a couple or anything like that, of course. Although that would have been rather nice. But, we still had our secrets that we kept from each other. Well, it was mostly me. "If he ever found out... what would I have to tell him? I bet he'd just see me as the monster I really am. No, for his sake, I'm not getting him tied up in this, I don't wanna kill anyone else that I love."

But, I couldn't keep that promise I made to myself. It was around midnight, the night before the first quarter was about to end. The moon was covered by a thick curtain of dark gray clouds, and most of the street-lights did nothing to help most normal people see. The perfect night to go out and find another helpless person to prey on. I know that you're probably rather confused on what I mean, and I'll try to explain. You see, as a member of the undead, what you would call food is no use to me, so I have to eat off other's, and I do mean that literally. And, due to the simply outrageous prices in the black market nowadays, I do all the "hunting" myself. I've gotten used to it, all the blood and gore, it's just a part of the job that I have to deal with, and at times it can be rather fun. Murdering whoever and whatever I want really gives me a great sense of pride.

Anyways, where was I? Oh, yes, nearly forgot. I was getting home from another successful hunt, an unconscious body slung over my shoulder as I struggled to get inside both myself and the corpse through the rather small door. I had gotten to the cellar when I heard a faint ring, but I ignored it. "Must be another solicitor," I thought to myself, as I tried to not slam the door shut, since it would blow my cover with all that unnecessary noise. Even the smallest sound in this desolate mansion seemed to escalate immensely, as everything seemed to cause an echo that would ring throughout the vast estate, which is saying a lot.

So, as usual, I slowly began to rip the body apart to find some good food, with varying levels of success. "Of course, I kill someone and they turn out to be an alcoholic," I sighed to myself, not having to worry about others hearing, since I made sure it was soundproof "Another perfectly good liver put to waste." I through it to the side, and continued to rummage through the now wrecked body.

As I did that, I started to hear creaking from upstairs, so I tried my best to hurry up, causing a huge mess and blood everywhere. The creaking continued, and I began to grow more worried on who entered my house. "Idiot," I thought "The one night you forget to lock the front door!" It began to grow nearer, and then, all of a sudden, it came to a halt.

I presumed that whoever had entered had left, but I was clearly proven wrong. In the rush of things, I must not have heard the footsteps going down the stairs, and I continued to store the remains, only to be stopped dead in my tracks by a familiar voice. "E-Eliza...?" I jolted around, dropping the glass jar on my foot (which did hurt, a lot, but I had bigger issues to deal with at the moment). Of course he was here, just my luck, or lack of it. Always making promises I can never keep, whether it's to myself or others I trust. I slowly began to back away, glaring at his face, His absolutely terrified expression, I couldn't blame him, seeing me practically covered in blood. I was already hard enough to look at.

I rushed towards him, trying to make it look like nothing had happened, but that wouldn't help. I was on the verge of tears, fearing what he'd say next. "What if he hates me," thoughts began racing through my head "What if he tells everyone else? What will I have to do?" Before I knew what was happening, I felt tears running down my face, washing away some of the blood. "I... I'm sorry...," was all I could mutter through the incoherent sobs "You probably think I'm kind of monster. Leave... for your own good." After that, I had expected him to just go, but he began to hold me closer, as I rested my head atop his. "Now what kind of friend would do that," he replied, trying to calm me down "That's what we promised we'd be to each other, and I'm not the kind of man who goes around breaking oaths."

My crying suddenly stopped, as I sprung back to my feet, having regained some of my previous confidence. I knew he wouldn't be a snitch, and I he was one of my only true friends, so I couldn't ever bring myself to kill another loved one. At that point, there were only two options, either just let him leave, or what I came up with in the short amount of time I had. "Alright then." I half shouted, trying to remain quiet "There's only one way to deal with this. From now on, you, Alex Damien Jackson, shall be my trusted apprentice, my partner in crime!"

He looked somewhat confused at my statement, yet a smile seemed to form as every second passed us in the comforting silence. I studied his expression, trying to guess what he was thinking, until he nodded, throwing me off guard, and said "I'd love to." I was shocked someone as proper, as intelligent, as him would ever agree to such an insane proposal, but, hey, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. He came towards me, all of the fear that was on his face left as quickly as it appeared, and he held both of my hands as he innocently smiled at me that seemed to relieve all my doubt I had only a few minutes ago.

He was the only person I knew I could tell anything to, and he wouldn't shame me or look at me like I'm some kind of monster. I don't exactly know why, but he made me feel safe for once in this "kill or be killed" world. He made me feel as if we would somehow get through whatever we were challenged with, no matter how ridiculous that may sound. It was feeling I didn't even get with my own family when I was younger... but I'd rather not talk about them right now.

I hugged him, trying my best not to yet again burst into tears. I felt like some kind of coward, showing how weak I truly was under my painted on smile to someone I had only met about three or two months prior, if even that. We just sat there in silence for a while, but that was all that needed to be said, nothing. Somehow we both knew what the other was thinking, as we parted ways for the night after about five minutes. After he left, I had cleaned myself up and sat upon my roof as usual, staring out into the distance, thoughts of the previous encounter racing through my head as I felt my cheeks begin to burn up as I sighed dreamily. "Damn it, Cupid!"

I still can't quite put my finger on it, but there was just something about Alex that made me feel like I'm... something. Like what I do doesn't matter, like I still have a chance of finding someone. Sure, it contradicted everything that I tried to force myself to believe for the last few years in my life, that I was unworthy of love, that I was a disgusting, blood thirsty creature. Ever since I was fourteen to be specific.

That's what every one of my classmates said, I was just worthless, I was a waste of space and time, a monster, a freak. It was nice to finally have someone who accepted me for who I was, not who I wanted to be. You know what, it was far from nice, it was absolutely amazing to finally be treated like a human being. I mean, I had around five people you could call friends, but I never talked to them often because I was either busy with getting some food or I just didn't feel like they'd understand what I was going through.

But, he was somehow different. He didn't seem to judge me, even after seeing me in such a wrecked state. I felt like I could tell him anything, and, no matter how awful it was, he'd understand. I almost felt tempted to show him what I hid under my bangs, to let him find out about my scars. "No, you're not that close. Besides, you don't want to scare him away like everyone else."