Death Wish

Chapter 24

I'm so sorry for the lack of updates last week! I can only say I'm but a stressed cupcake, filled with the cream of b.s. excuses and sprinkled with guilt.

~ ~ ~

I make sure to load up Auctor Vitae again.

As I load the gun's magazine I get an earful from everyone else over the sudden need for vampire's blood. While everyone is thankfully keeping their voices down for the sake of the neighbors, nobody is above snide remarks and argument.

Except for the usual sweetheart of the hour. "You've had enough danger for a few days, huh?" Ray insists gently, "I-I mean, you died just earlier this week."

"Who's counting the days?" I reply, struggling to get the last bullet crammed into its slot.

Ray stresses as he watches, "You can't even load it."

"Her."

Mikey rolls his eyes, "It's still dark out. You know this is stupid."

I finally click the bullet in and shove the magazine back into the gun. I smile with satisfaction before looking up to them, "Course it's stupid, nothing we've done here is smart at all."

"Gerard -"

I stand and pocket Auctor Vitae, "Look, it's my fault, I'm gonna go do it. I'll be fine." I say firmly.

There's a stern silence before Rose comes in from the kitchen with Frank, "Well obviously you're not going alone," She says, "I'm coming with you to help."

I look to everyone else and raise my brows, "Is that any better?"

They all give a single, simultaneous look of begrudging approval. Mikey crosses his arms and blows the hair from his face with a pout, "Better work, I don't wanna be a dead bastard stuck with a frickin' rat."

Frank squints at him from Rose's hand before he's promptly pushed down into my pocket. I stiffen as she nonchalantly man handles my pants, "Watch it...private property there."

She frowns and stops in mid-rat stowaway. "You want me to carry him?"

I push Frank the rest of the way down into my pocket, "No..."

Rose smirks and grabs her list of ingredients, "Let's go then."

~ ~ ~

We both stride down the back alleys of Death, avoiding plain sight of the blood suckers. I keep my hand wrapped around Auctor Vitae the entire walk, making sure not to let it out of my grip for a single moment. With what time of day it is and where Rose and I are headed, I know for certain danger is inevitable.

I don't want to be caught without Auctor Vitae again, especially now that more than myself is on the line.

Speaking of that.

"What's gonna happen to Frank, exactly?" I ask, careful to keep my voice lowered.

"Hmm?" Rose looks away from the stars before realizing, "Oh! Him. Yeah, I don't know about him, this has never happened before."

"Lovely." I mumble and turn my attention back to the streets. "So he could combust and you'd never see it coming."

Rose snorts softly, "That's a bit extreme."

"Then what are we looking at?"

"You're freaking out a little on me."

My face flushes and I pocket my hands, "Sorry, it's important."

Rose sighs as she watches Frank attempt to get around my hands as they push down into his space. His ears twitch impatiently as he's gradually more and more squished against my leg. He squeaks in protest but gets no recognition as we keep talking.