He's Come Undone

Chapter 21: The Run

"What does it mean though?" Tomi has sat me down and is interrogating me about my knowledge of vampirism.

After a couple days of nothing but a few "I hate you"'s, a couple "you've ruined my life"'s and a collection of "I'll never forgive you"'s, the saint Tomi Nyawo really did forgive me. Although I don't think he should have.

"Well, in regards to your soccer career... you'll be better than ever. You are now as fit as anyone in the human form can be, and you're faster than Usain Bolt, though unless you want to be found out, don't show it off too much." I tell him, and he just nods, with his chin balanced in his hands.
"What else?" He asks.
"Say goodbye to seeing yourself, and knowing what you look like." I tell him, and for a few hot seconds, he looks horrified.
"You'll get used to it." I assure. "You're immortal now. Which is either great or terrible, depending on your personality." I say.
After a moments silence, his soft voice fills the room.
"Which is it for you?"

Trust Tomi to be like this. I fucking hate him. Why does he have to be so caring?

"It's terrible for me." I admit, and he looks down.
"Are you alright?" He asks me, placing a hand on mine.
"Tomi, for fuck's sake. I ruined your life a couple of days ago. At least then, your reaction made sense." I raise my voice. It's hard not to be angry with him.
"I'm sorry! I'm just trying to make the best of a bad situation, okay?" He raises his voice to match mine, and I can tell the confrontation is making him uncomfortable. He sighs.
"I'm going for a run." He stands up from his bed, where we are both planted, and walks out the door.

I feel like screaming. Why is he so stupid? I could have killed him. I technically did! The human form of Tomi is dead.
He's like me now, though not as fucked up.
Still, he's a vampire.
That's pretty fucked up.

~ TOMI ~

I'm mad, but I don't want to take it out on him. He's been through enough.
I run.
I know he's mad at me for caring about him, but I can't help it.
I run.
I know he ruined my life, and I should still be mad at him for it, but I can't help how I feel.
I run.
I know he's sad, and I know he feels guilty, but I'm trying to help him.
I run.
I know he cares about me and he just struggles to show it, but I don't feel it. Not anymore.
I run.
I think that in every relationship, there's always one person who loves the other a little more.

I stop running, and just as Ethan had told me, I don't feel like I need to stop and breathe. Or stop and puke. I feel fine, if not just a little breathless.
I look at the sign. Thornbury.

I had just run about 25km, from the outskirts of Bedminister to Thornbury.
I look at my watch.
11 minutes.

Is that even fucking possible?

In the middle of standing there in awe of myself, my stomach flips in the pit of my stomach, and my vision begins to blur.
What's happening?
I begin to panic.
What's happening to me?

Suddenly, I blinked, and when I opened my eyes again, I was in the bushes by the pathway, with my fangs deep into a hummingbird, draining it. I have another in my hand.
I look down at my neon blue Nike shirt, and am shocked by the pools of blood that have sunk into the material. I wipe my mouth, and discover even more on my face. I can't run back like this. I drop the bird in my hand, and fling the other I was draining away, further into the bushes. I stumble into my pockets and pull out my phone. I look for Ethan's contact number, and call him.

"Hello?" His voice comes out clear and concerned.
"Ah, hi. I've fucked up. I've got blood all over me. I'm out of sight now, but I'll need you to come pick me up." I manage quickly.
"I'm coming. I'll get Dex's car. Where are you?" He asks me, immediately taking charge of the situation.
"Thornbury." I respond, thankful for him.
"Thornbury? How far did you run?" He questions, shocked.
"I know, I didn't realise I was doing it until it was done." I tell him, voice low as an older couple walked past my creepy spot in the bushes.
"Alright. I'll be there in about 15 minutes. Stay exactly where you are, Tomi." He instructs me.

I don't need to be told twice.