The Chase

The Chase Ch. 38

Ginger’s P.O.V

            I felt as if this situation called for tears but for some reason I couldn’t cry. For a moment all my attention was on trying to make myself cry.

“What are you doing?” asked Thad.

“I can’t cry,” I said, alarmed.

“It takes time,” Thad said.

            Adjusting to this change wasn’t something I planned to do. I told Thad I didn’t want to be changed but he did it anyway. I knew he had no other choice but it still made me mad and on top of that, I was thirsty. The burn in my throat had begun again and it aggravated me.

“I can tell you’re thirsty. You’re making the same face I used to make.”

            He took my hand and ran down the stairs and out the door. It was surprisingly easy to keep up with him. Rather than explaining to me what he was doing, he ran ahead of me down the street and I effortlessly caught up.

“Care to explain?” I asked, following closely.

“I’m finding you something to drink.”

            How chivalrous. After about half an hour, we came up short. No humans in sight.

“Why don’t we just go home?”

“And let you kill everyone? Not a chance.”

“Why is it always my fault?” I asked suddenly. “You wouldn’t have to worry about me killing everyone if you hadn’t changed me! I can’t go into my own safe house because of you. I can’t be around my friends because of you. I can’t even deal with being thirsty because of you!”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Don’t you get it? I don’t want to be like you! Change me back!”

“Change you back? And how do you propose I do that?”

“I don’t know…”

            Thad could tell I was struggling and seeing as it wouldn’t have been the best idea to approach me at the moment, he gave me some space. I just wanted to go home but I couldn’t do that. He doesn’t have to know, I thought. And within the two seconds it took me to think that, I was gone. I made it home and I didn’t think Thad even noticed.

“You’re back I see,” said Donovan, a guarded look in his eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m a predator or something. I’m still Ginger.”

“Alright well the Ginger that was human wouldn’t have grabbed me by the neck and slammed me against the wall no matter how much she wanted to.”

I sighed. “I should’ve bitten you when I had the chance.”

“See? Old Ginger wouldn’t have said that either.”

“Get over it Donovan. It doesn’t matter whether I’m human or vampire; I’m still the boss around here.”

“How humble of you.”

            A hiss escaped my throat and I clamped a hand over my mouth, surprised. My throat was burning again and something besides Donovan smelled mouth-watering. I walked past him, searching for the source of the scent. I found Mina and her brother sitting in the kitchen. I assumed they knew what I was now so I sat down.

“Hey,” Mina said.

“Hey,” I replied.

            Awkward. I hadn’t really spoken to her so starting a conversation was going to be hard. I looked to her brother who was surprisingly cute, and then it hit me. That smell I was searching for, it was coming from him. I refrained from grabbing him right then and there and instead partially covered my nose with my hand.

“So,” I began. “How are you doing?”

“Fine,” he replied. “Better than before anyway.”

“That’s good.” I looked at Mina and she stared back. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked, speaking to her brother.

“Sure.”

            He stood and I hurried after him. I led him past Donovan who was still in the living room, and up the stairs to my room. Once the door closed, I ceased restraining myself. My mind was on autopilot from the moment I decided to lead him upstairs. Throwing him against the wall, I bared my fangs.

“You’re one of them,” he whispered.

            The way he said it made me pause. He didn’t sound scared. He sounded sure of himself.

“You didn’t know?” I heard myself ask.

“Not until now.”

            I heard the feather light footsteps before I realized we had company. I whipped around and zeroed in on the figure leaning against the doorframe.

“What’s going on here?” Thad asked.