Love Bite

Chapter 6

Thomas sat at in Dr. Clarkson's office with Mrs. Hughes trying to comfort him. Tears had stopped fallen, only due to there being no more tears left. He was afraid. Afraid of losing his friend. Afraid of losing someone he loved.

Why do I always lose those I love? Death just walks behind me and takes the souls of all those I touch.

The door opened and Dr. Clarkson walked in. Thomas stood up as well did Mrs. Hughes, both anxious to hear news.

"How is he," Thomas asked.

Dr. Clarkson cleared his throat.

"To be honest," Dr. Clarkson, "I'm not sure. He's gained a very high fever so I gave him some medicine."

"Is..is he awake," Thomas asked.

"Yes and no," Dr. Clarkson answered taking a seat behind his desk, "He's very delusional at the moment. He's been talking and claiming he's seeing people. He asked about you and Alfred and I told him you were alright, but then he told me that Alfred probably has flee's in his fur."

Thomas smiled a little to know Jimmy was at least alive, for now.

"Dr. Clarkson," Mrs. Hughes began, "The man that attacked Jimmy...Oh I don't know how to say this, but the evidence suggests that...he may have been trying to impersonate a vampire."

Dr. Clarkson tilted his head.

"A vampire," he asked. Mrs. Hughes nodded.

"The man did succeed in puncturing James's carotid artery and you're suggesting that the man was 'feeding' off of him?"

"I saw it," Thomas said, "Then I stabbed him with the chair, went straight through his heart. He just...turned to dust."

Dr. Clarkson looked at Thomas with a very worried expression.

"I see," he said.

"We don't mean to sound crazy," Mrs. Hughes said, "but...is it possible? Is vampire a real thing, you suppose?"

"I'm not sure," Dr. Clarkson said, "It was never meant to be real, only in fictional stories. This man that attacked Jimmy may have suffered some kind of disease that made him believe he was an actual vampire."

"He looked like me," Thomas said, "He looked just like me. He was in the house and pretended to me when I wasn't around. He lured Jimmy out and tried to kill him...or turn him."

"Turn him," Dr. Clarkson asked. Thomas nodded.

"I know of only two ways 'real vampires' try and turn their victims, either from bite or if the victim drank the vampire's blood, but those are not research books, their stories. Fictional.

"That man was real. Jimmy's wounds are real. His fear, his blood, all that happened was real, Dr. Clarkson!"

Mrs. Hughes placed a hand on Thomas's chest to calm him. He place his head in his hands and pushed his palms into his closed eyes.

"If it was possible," Mrs. Hughes said, "would James..."

"I can't tell you. The only thing we could do is wait and see."

Mrs. Hughes nodded then rubbed Thomas's back.

"I want to stay," Thomas said, removing his hands, "I want to stay with Jimmy."

"Mr. Carson won't let you, Mr. Barrow," Mrs. Hughes said.

"Actually, I could use Thomas," Dr. Clarkson said, "I'm shorthanded on staff at the moment. I'm sure Mr. Carson or Lord Grantham will mind."