Blood Lust

Chapter Eight (Halloween)

Frustrated, Ash buttoned up his grey shirt and glared at his reflection. He was ‘dressing’ up for Halloween— well, for Rosie and this absurd party her friend Justin or whatever was throwing. Only a few days ago she fainted and now she wanted to party. He rolled his eyes and shrugged on his leather jacket. Even though this was supposed be a costume party, Ash defied and wore ordinary clothing. He strode out of the house with the thought of finding a way to get Rosie to go home instead of to this party.

Since the sun had already set, when Ash stepped out into the streets children were running around in colourful costumes and bags filled with candy. He heaved a sigh at the stupid tradition and walked on in hopes that the pit rolling in his stomach would settle. It wasn’t hunger but pure nerves and worry for Rosie. His blood had helped her but he couldn’t help but feel like there had to be a catch to it. He even tried feeding to settle his stomach but the animal blood he chose to consume came straight back up his oesophagus. His thoughts were distracted by a distinct shrill from across the street.

Now that he’d stepped onto the more empty streets, there were barely any people, meaning none. His head snapped to the shriek to see two teenage girls, probably Rosie’s age, walking in skimpy dead school girl outfits he had seen so many times when leaving the house. They giggled when they spotted Ash staring at them. After half a second of thinking of his next move, he ran over to them with his speed. They gasped and seemed... excited which proclaimed odd in Ash’s mind.

He stared into both of their eyes before saying, “Don’t speak.” He studied them and saw that they both sat at smaller heights, one blonde and one brunette. They nodded compliantly and stood there waiting. “This isn’t going to hurt.”

 As usual, his eyes darkened and his canines grew. His mouth bore open making the girls widen their eyes. Swiftly, he pulled in the blonde from the nape of her neck and sank his teeth a few inches below her ear. Her eyes grew as he stayed there for seconds feeding. Seconds became a minute and the girl was becoming limp in his hold. Ash pulled himself away and held her upright.

 He stared into her drowsy but fear-struck eyes and breathed deeply. It had been a while since he felt himself losing control when feeding but it had been also been a while since he’d fed from a person directly. The worrying ache in his stomach was now a pit of hunger and somehow lust. His eyes pried away from hers and switched onto the wide eyed and teary friend.

 “Don’t worry, love,” he assured her taking her face in both of his hands. “You won’t feel a thing.”

 He bit down the same place he had for her friend but found himself holding her much closer. One hand held her face and the other pulled her waist onto him as he feed. An animalistic groan left his lips as he pulled away from her. She looked up at him with a tear falling down her cheek.

 He smirked and wiped the tear from her cheek. “No need to cry,” he whispered mockingly pulling away.

The girl was placed next to her friend and they both held onto each other, seeming as if they were going to run.

 “Don’t move,” he ordered, laying the compulsion on thick. “And don’t be scared.”

 The girls settled and seemed quite relieved. Their eyes were now dull and emotionless instead of afraid. Ash inspected the wounds and had to admit they suited their costumes.

 “After I leave, you will not remember meeting me or being bitten,” he compelled his stance becoming threatening. “You’re both going to drink the night away and when you wake up tomorrow you’ll blame your injuries on being drunk.”

 They nodded and were about to walk away when Ash added, “And tend to your wounds before the night ends.”

 He didn’t want them getting an infection, now, did he? He grinned, high on blood, and zoomed off to the party wiping the blood with the sleeve of his jacket. Hastily stopping at the entrance, he caught sight of Rosie laughing and talking to her friends at the door. Ash slowed his pace and walked over seemingly cool towards them.