Hell Beast

Beautiful

I sit on my bed as the sun rises. I hear a knock at my door.

"Yes?"
"It's Gus," I hear his deep voice respond.
"Come in."

He walks in and hands me my keys and phone. I smile and thank him as he leaves. I then unlock my phone, which has a few messages from Liv. They are all from early in the morning, before she had realized I didn't have my phone.

I decide not to go to school today, as there would be too many questions and stress. I lie back in bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

-----

I wake up in the middle of the day. It is 3, just after school. I look at my phone to see a few texts from Liv.

Are you okay?

Did you come get your stuff?

Seriously are you alright?

I respond as a small smile plays on my face.

I'm fine.

She must not have seen me in the woods. Thank god.

Can I come over? She responds a few minutes later.

I send back a simple yeah and get out of bed to get ready. I change my clothes and brush my hair, checking myself in the mirror. I look mostly fine, other than being slightly pale. I'll need blood once she leaves.

I hear a knock at the front door and rush down to open it for her. She smiles and gives me a nearly strangling hug.

"Hey, I was worried about you. What happened?" She asks as we pull apart.

My brain scrambles for a moment.

"Well, I, uh... I needed some fresh air, so I went out for a walk, and then my parents came and got me cuz, um, my brother, Sawyer. He... Got in a car accident. And I came back to get my stuff last night but you weren't home so I got it myself and um... Yeah. Sorry."

She looks as me questionably for a moment and then smiles.

"Okay, as long as you're alright. I heard about your brother. I'm so sorry."
"Um, yeah... It happens..."
"You poor thing... Ya know, on that same day, just after you left, my uncle was killed in a hunting accident."
"Oh, Liv, I'm... Sorry."

She shrugs.

"He had it coming."

I almost laugh, but she seems entirely serious. I then step forward and give her a tight hug. She lightly hugs me back. I feel a sudden urge for blood and flinch. If Liv notices, she doesn't let on.

"To your room?" She asks, slightly playful.

I nod and lead her up the stairs. She follows me into my room, and we sit on my bed. She gently plays with my fingers as we sit in a comfortable silence. As hard as I try not to, I begin to think of blood and magic and my other life. I lean my head on her shoulder, and she turns to me.

"Are you alright?" She asks, searching my eyes.

I shrug. She wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me back onto the bed. I don't resist at all, and lay my head on her chest. She slowly runs her fingers through my hair, soothing me. I still think about blood. I think about turning my head and biting. I need blood.

"Liv, you should go," I whisper.
"What?" She responds.
"You need to go."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you?"
"What? I... Is something wrong?"
"Please just leave."
"Cameron..."

"Please," I beg, getting off of her and off the bed. I need to shift. I need blood.

"But... I..."
"Please. There's something I need to take care of."

I bolt out of my room and down the steps.

"Cameron, wait!"

I hear her running after me. I go as fast as I can. As I break through the tree line, I shift. It feels good to be back in my natural state. I hear a crash near the tree line, knowing it is Liv. I can faintly hear her calling my name.

I mindlessly grab small animals, draining them. I eventually sit against a tree, leaning my head back. I mentally curse, thinking about Liv. Then, suddenly, behind me, I hear her voice.

"Cameron?"

I jump up and see her. Her red hair has a twig stuck in it, and her eyes are wide. I begin to stumble away, but she lurches forward and grabs my wrist. I turn, and look into her eyes. They sparkle, and a small smile appears on her face. She pulls me closer.

"You're beautiful," she whispers.

She then leans in, her hands intertwining with mine, and kisses me.