Blood Thirst

Chapter 19 Her Return

Jessie's POV

"J-Jessie?" Link said.

My eyes shot open and I saw Link looking at me. I was overjoyed. I got up from my chair and pulled him into a tight embrace, a smile spreading widely across my face.

"Oh my gosh, Link, I was so worried about you! How do you feel?" I asked and sat back down.

"Very exhausted and weak, but I also feel lighter. I feel like the whole time that was in me, something heavy was in my chest, weighing me down. Now that's it's gone, it's like the weight was removed and I can breathe again. Where is Rhett? Is he here?" Link asked.

"He went to work today, but I'll call him and tell him you're awake. I'm sure he'll come home to see you. We were all worried sick about you, Link. I was beginning to think there wasn't any hope of you coming back, but I was wrong. And I don't think I've ever been so happy about being wrong before," I said and smiled.

He was going to be alright. I was elated about that. I can't wait for Christy and Rhett to find out.  They would be so happy and relieved as well. I pulled out my phone and called Rhett. 

"Hello."

"Rhett, it's Jessie. I... uh have some really terrible news. You should probably sit down," I said, putting on a fake devastated voice.

"Oh gosh, what is it? What happened? Is Link alright?! He's not... dead, is he?" Rhett asked, sounding terrified to hear what I was going to say.

"Well, I really don't know how to tell you this, Rhett, but Link... is perfectly fine! He woke up and he's going to be fine, Rhett! Our worries are all over! He's okay!" I said excitedly.

"Seriously?! Oh Jessie, you had me so scared there. He's alright! I'm on my way home now! Can I talk to him?" 

"Sure," I said and passed Link the phone.

"Rhett?" 

"Link, my brother! You pulled through! It's so wonderful to hear your voice again! I'm on my way home now. I was so, so worried about you, brother. Hang in there, alright."

Link smiled. "Alright, brother. I'll be alright. I can't wait to see you again," he said and passed the phone back to me, but Rhett had already hung up.

Link pulled the blankets up to his neck and coughed. He sighed and closed his eyes. I began to get slightly worried again. He was all better now, wasn't he?

"Are you sure you're alright, Link?" I asked and placed my hand on his forehead. It felt normal, not too hot. That was a good sign at least.

"Yeah, but thanks, Jess. I'm just still really weak, but I think I'll be fine soon enough. I just need some more rest, that's all," he said and smiled slightly at me.

I gave a smile in return and watched as his head lulled to the side and his mouth opened. He was already sound asleep. Poor guy, he had no energy whatsoever. I heard the sound of the door open and Rhett running up the stairs. He appeared in the doorway with the biggest smile on his face I've seen in years. He hadn't seemed this happy since Shepherd was born.

"Shh... he just fell asleep, Rhett," I said and gave him a kiss.

"Jessie, he won't mind. He'll fall back asleep right after I talk to him," Rhett said and walked to the bedside.

"Link, brother, I'm so happy to see you again!" Rhett exclaimed and Link's eyes opened.

A huge smile came across his lips. Rhett pulled Link into a very tight embrace and Link tried to hug back, but he was too weak.  He couldn't manage to life his arms, but Rhett didn't mind. He continued to hold Link to his chest tightly while smiling. A few tears seemed to leak from their eyes. It was so touching to see the two. They really were so close. It was the best friendship ever. I pulled out my phone and called Christy. I told her the good news and she screamed with joy. I laughed and hung up. Finally, everything seemed right in our world once more.

Link's POV

I spent most of the day sleeping. I felt like a cat, just eating and sleeping all day long. Christy and the kids had booked an earlier flight, so I'd get to see them again tomorrow. I missed them all so much. Being away from them was torture. I couldn't wait to see them again. I loved them all so much and I couldn't wait to tell them that. Rhett and Jessie had gone to bed a few hours ago. It was pretty late, but I couldn't seem to fall asleep. It was as if I slept so much in the day, I had all this built up energy and now I couldn't fall asleep. I pulled the covers off and hopped out of the bed. I grabbed my laptop and began browsing social media, hoping I'd eventually be granted with the grace of sleepiness soon.

Hours ticked by and I still wasn't tired. I sighed and shut my laptop. I sat back in the bed and closed my eyes. I heard a noise outside, a twig snapping. My window was open letting in the cool night air and I walked over to it, looking out into the darkness. The only light was from the street lamp, but I couldn't see anything out there. It must have just been a cat or something. Nothing to worry about, Link  I told myself. I checked again, just to be positive, but still saw nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief and laughed at myself. I was getting freaked out by every little noise I heard. I sat back on the bed and closed my eyes. I needed to fall asleep, I could barely function without it. I pulled the covers over me and took a deep, slow breath, hoping I'd finally get some much needed rest.

I opened my eyes once more to look at the time and I froze. As I had turned to look, a pale, thin figure caught my eye. I closed them tightly and rubbed them. I opened them again, expecting to see nothing. It had to have just been my mind. It wasn't Jessie and no one else was here. My heart froze in my chest as I opened my eyes and saw her again. There, standing in front of me, was the vampire. The one that bit me so long ago in the woods. The one that had caused so many problems in my life and my loved ones'. She was back again. My body froze. I wanted to scream, but my body was paralyzed by fear. I couldn't move or make a sound.

 She stared at me and slowly approached. She almost seemed to know I was no longer a vampire, and it angered her.  It was as if she wanted me to be a vampire and seeing that I was not made her very flustered. Her eyes turned to a very dark red and she showed her fangs. They  glistened in the moonlight. They were so sharp, perfect for piercing flesh and breaking veins, so she could feast upon my blood. I began breathing heavily as she got closer and closer to me. I closed my eyes and forced my vocal chords to work again. I let out a bloodcurdling scream and closed my eyes shut, completely terrified of whatever was going to happen. I couldn't let her bite me again. I couldn't go through that ever again. The pain and suffering I went through was unbearable at points and I wouldn't let myself go through it another time. I put my hands over my neck tightly, hoping she wouldn't be able to get to it. I listened as she got closer and closer and closer. I prayed for something to stop her, anything. I hoped I wasn't too late.