Things That Go Bump In The Night

Harsh Reality

Jake was brought back to the present as he felt Roxanne’s teeth against his neck, causing him to shudder, fear and adrenaline coursing through his veins. This was it, he thought glumly to himself. This was the end of him. Either she would drain him of his blood, drop his lifeless corpse and leave; or she would turn him. God, he really wished that she would just let him die. He never wanted to become like them, never wanted to have to kill innocents to survive. He clenched his fists as her lips broke the skin of his neck, and he could feel her begin to lap up the blood that flowed from the wound.

He closed his eyes, knowing that there was no way to get out of this now, either she would keep drinking until there was nothing left, or she would stop, and drip some of her own blood over his lips, causing him to turn just like her. And while he wanted to think that he wouldn’t drink from her, once she had drained some of his blood, he would be too weak to refuse. He accepted his inevitable fate, but a thought, lingering at the edges of his mind came forth. What about Jane? If he died, she would be on her own. He wanted to live, for her, but he’d rather die than become a monster. He murmured her name without even thinking, and in response, Roxy’s teeth dug a bit harsher into his neck.

Just as he was certain that she was going to drain him, she was pulled back. Jake’s eyes flew open as he was dropped heavily onto the hard ground, his hand going up to cover the bite marks on his neck, still bleeding profusely. Roxy hissed, tuning to the side and Jake could see none other than Dirk. His best friend, always so incredible, his role model, he was everything Jake had always wanted to be. That sent a sharp stab to his heart as he looked at what his best friend had become. Teeth just as sharp as Roxy’s, but his eyes a bright orange, they were almost seemed to glow in the dim lit alleyway.

He stared coldly at Roxy, crossing his arms over his chest. “What the hell did I tell you Roxy? You are not to harm Jake, no matter what happens. He is to be left alone.” Roxy growled, low and unnatural, a sound that Jake had never heard before in all his life. It sent a jolt of fear through him, and while the two were in a stalemate, he got up, bolting the last block to the safe house. He could hear Roxy, a shrill shriek through the silent air as she saw him escape. He didn’t turn back to look, not knowing if they were following, and not caring. The blood was still pouring from his neck, and he was starting to get dizzy as he grasped onto the door, fumbling to get out the key and slid it into the lock.

Just as he turned the lock, about to push open the door, everything faded to darkness. He could feel himself falling, head banging onto the harsh concrete sidewalk. He wanted to get up, to crawl just a few feet past the iron doors, where there had to be someone, someone that could help him.

Jake woke up in a dark room, on a wonderfully soft bed. He nuzzled against the blanket before jolting awake, realizing he had no idea where he was. It only took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust and he looked around the room, gasping when he saw Dirk sitting beside his bed. He jolted up, reaching for his guns, only to find that they were gone. Dirk just smiled, sickeningly sweet. He stood, drawing nearer to the bed. “Calm down Jake, you’ll hurt yourself.” Jake scrambled into the corner, growling, low and unnatural, a sound he hadn’t even been aware he could make, the very sound he had heard from Roxy's lips when she found him in the alley.“The only one who’d hurt me is you, stay the hell away from me”

Dirk scoffed. “I can’t and I won’t. If anything, I saved you. You would have died out there tonight, now you’re practically immortal Jake; and you’ve got your whole life in front of you. All we need to do is to find dear, sweet Janey, change her too, and then the whole gang’ll be back together again.” Jake’s eyes widened, looking down at himself as he realized what that meant. He ran his tongue over his own, newly sharp teeth. He just sat there as the harsh reality set in, knowing well that he had just became the very thing he hated most.