Death is Only the Beginning: A Guide to Vampirism

Five: Shopping for Donors

A Tired Haiku

Please leave me alone

I just need a place to die

Or maybe just nap.

I'm just way too tired

To even lift my pinkie

I feel just like... crud.

"Okay, Honey, time to wake up."

"G'way." I pull the covers over my pounding head, praying for the darkness to swallow me back up again. I am in desperate need of some oblivion right now. Sweet, sweet oblivion. If I can just sleep and dream... then maybe life will be bearable.

Needless to say, sleeping has become one of my favorite pastimes. If there was an award for it... well... I probably wouldn't care too much since I'd be much too lazy and mostly asleep anyhow.

"Wakey wakey."

"I'm dying here," I croak hoarsely, my voice breaking just a bit, I'm not saying it was intentional for sympathy, buuuuuut..... "Just leave me alone to die in peace." Interloper.

"Up and at 'em, Sunshine."

Irritated, I bring the cover down just enough to crack open an eye and peek out. I groan rudely and try to pull the covers back up, but my unwelcome visitor has grabbed hold of the edge.

"Oh for the love of... what the heck are YOU doing here? And what kind of cruel sadistic name is 'Sunshine' for a vampire? It's almost as bad as 'Honey' for a diabetic. Sure, torture the poor dying vampire a little bit more. Go ahead, kick me while I'm down. I doubt there is any possible way I can feel any worse."

Gabriel sits on the end of my bed grinning, looking way too relaxed and in far too good a mood. "Such a warm welcome," he says warmly.

"Get off my bed." I kick at him, but the covers hamper the blows. All the motion does is make him laugh and swat at my leg, like my cat does. When did he suddenly become a playful vampire anyhow? "You aren't welcome here! Go ruin someone else's life."

"Darlin', I didn't ruin your life. That was Jeremiah. I'm here to help make it all better. So get a move on, Honey."

Rudely, he yanks the covers off me and lets them drop to the floor. I screech a bit and try to cover myself with my arms, then realize I'm still fully dressed in my regular school clothes. Jeans and t-shirt... and yes, the horrible orange vest. Yuck. Still a little confused, I look around, trying to combat the blush I can feel heating my cheeks from looking like an idiot.

Where in the world....?

Oh yeah, I'm in the nurse's office. The whole falling off the bleachers in the gym thing. I touch my head to feel for a gash or a bump or a tender spot.

OUCH!

Found the tender spot. No gash though, unless I suddenly developed those healing powers I've been waiting for. I wonder if I have a concussion. Can vampires get concussions? Can we even go to hospitals if we do get concussed? Is 'concussed' an actual word?

"Stop calling me 'Honey'," I grouch at him, feeling like I deserve to be a little snarky. After all, I nearly slaughtered my whole class! Well... the potential was there even if I hadn't actually done anything but a bit of growling, I think. It's all a bit foggy, actually. "And how are you going to make it better?"