Bitten

Chapter Six

Hey, sorry it's been a long time since I've updated this story, but writer's block is a pain in the butt. That, and I've had school and other personal stuff to deal with. To make this all worthwhile, here's the "theme song" for the whole story: Howl by Florence + The Machine. I hope you'll enjoy it!!!

<3

Jessica

Six

     I kept my stance in place for what feels like fifteen minutes. The only thing that broke through my tense concentration was the sound of someone coughing. I already knew what I’d find once I face my friends.

     Reluctantly I turned around.

     I was right. I see that both Barry and Jackie wouldn’t stop staring at me when I finally made my way back to the car, moments after Andrew had disappeared into a nearby wooded area. It’s as if they’d both seen a ghost, but this simile feels like an understatement, even in my head. The fear, desperation, and confusion are blatant in their bodies. For a moment, I began to worry if the sight of my confrontation with Andrew might’ve made them go into shock.

     “What the hell was that?” Jackie blurted moments after she and Barry had entered the car. He didn’t even bother to start the ignition. According to the look on his face, he wanted answers just as much as Jackie.

     I sighed. “I didn’t expect to run into him. Not like this.” I said, truthfully.

     “Who is he?” Barry asked, confused.

     “He’s the man who’d made me what I am today.” I finally looked at them, and they appeared to be somewhat confused. “His name is Andrew Hannibal. He saw me at the school library, thought I’d be a perfect vampire, and the rest is history.”

     “Why?” he asked, sternly, as if the answer I’d just gave him wasn’t good enough.

     I looked at him, and truthfully answered, “I don’t know. He’d never told me why he changed me, and whenever I would ask, he’d divert it anyway he can. For all I knew, he did it for no apparent reason.”

     “That is some serious, and some stupid bullshit.” Jackie said incredulously.

     I ran both of my hands in my hair, already feeling just as frustrated as Jackie when I said, “I know, and I wish it were a lot easier, but Andrew is…unpredictable. And sometimes, I often wondered if he could read my mind. He tells me that he can’t, but…I don’t know. He’s been keeping me in the dark about his intentions throughout the past two years.”

     I could feel the angry tears falling down, across my cheeks after I’d basically confessed my frustration with Andrew Hannibal. This is the first time I’ve ever told anyone how I really felt whenever I’m around him. Whenever I’m back at the condo with him, I feel as if I’m more of a prisoner than a much needed companion for a lonely vampire. And, as much as I feigned an unperturbed feeling whenever he’s around, the truth is, I really hated it.

     Before all of this, I was never kept in the dark. There was never a secret that I’ve kept that Jackie and Barry don’t know. There weren’t any secrets I’ve kept from my parents, nor Jillian or Clarice. But this—being the one who is being deceived—is…unbearable.

     “We’re sorry.” Barry said, quietly.

     I slowly took a deep breath before I looked up, and I could see that both Barry and Jackie, still sitting in their seats, have sympathetic looks on their faces. What surprised me the most is that their expressions didn’t show any trace of fear nor terror. Whether it’d be their pity or their empathy, I took it. We didn’t say anything as I continued to let the tears fall.