Cured

Chapter Seven

Lana inhaled before rapping her knuckles on the wooden door of Asher's home. Micah stood behind her, eyes surveying their surroundings. Evan was nearby, hidden in the shadows. He couldn't pass for a friend of Asher's like they could, given his age and features that would confirm his years. It was best if only Lana and Micah made their presence known.

They had tracked Asher to a two-story house on the outskirts of town, the second to last home along the left side of the street. Night had consumed the sky by the time they set foot on Asher's porch. Trillions upon trillions of stars twinkled overhead, the full moon emitting a fierce glow.

A man in his late 40s with thick blonde hair opened the door, his eyes observing their faces. "Asher didn't mention he was expecting friends," he remarked with a kind smile. He stepped back and gestured for them to enter. They entered the house, eyes drawn to another presence in the room. A woman with auburn hair regarded them from her sitting position on a couch, eyes lacking the kindness the man had displayed.

"It's late for friends to be visiting," she stated, her voice flat.

"I'm sorry, I had practice and didn't get out until late. We have the work Asher's missed," Micah explained, holding up a folder that he bought earlier for his elaborate lie.

The woman seemed to relax, realizing they'd only be a moment - or so she thought. "I'll give it to him," she replied, beginning to stand. Lana's heart leaped with panic but Micah remained calm, waving a hand that caused the woman to hesitate.

"I better explain our psychology work. It's really complicated and I want to make sure he understands since there's a test soon."

Asher's mother hesitated a moment longer before returning to her seat. "His room's upstairs, second door on the right. Be careful, though. He's really sick," she warned. Lana didn't risk sharing a glance with Micah, though she knew they both shared the same suspicion.

"Thank you," Micah replied before they ascended the staircase. They arrived to the door Asher's mother had directed them to and Micah knocked before cracking the door open. Lana stood on the tips of her toes to peer over Micah's shoulder. Through the crack of the door, she could make out a figure. Asher was inside, clutching his stomach while he kneeled on his bedroom floor. "Who is it?" he questioned, his voice raspy. Micah walked in, Lana following close behind. Asher's eyes widened at the sight of them as Lana closed the door.

"You," he whispered, eyes locked on her. "You did this to me."

She noted the gray color his eyes now emitted. So he had changed. She nodded once, eyes apologetic. "I'm really sorry, Asher."

"My throat hurts," he whined, hands moving to his neck. "What have you done to me?"

Lana moved her attention to the black purse Micah also bought that hung over her shoulder. She unzipped it, plucking out a plastic bag filled with blood. Her heartbeat quickened at the sight of it. She remembered how the last time she had consumed the delicious substance was at lunch earlier that day. She normally never went that long without satisfying her craving, however today she didn't really have a choice.

She approached Asher and kneeled beside him. He looked at her with wide, accusing eyes. She couldn't blame him for the glint of resentment that flashed within his gaze. It was all her fault and, no matter how guilty she felt, there was nothing she could do to change the past. Her eyebrows furrowed together with concern as she held the bag out, urging him to take it. "Here. I know you don't understand, but you need to drink this. You'll feel better."

"I'm not drinking that," he muttered, though she could hear the desire starting to leak into his voice. His vampiric nature was starting to take over. He gulped, fear filling his eyes as he began losing control of his body. Lana saw his fangs elongate, piercing his lip and causing him to wince. He didn't seem too concerned as his eyes were glued to the bag. His hand suddenly shot out, snatching the bag from her grasp. He sank his teeth into the plastic, sucking up the blood within. He didn't stop until the bag was drained, tossing the bag aside when he finished.

"W-What...how did..." Asher stuttered, unable to form a sentence as his eyes filled with horror.

"You're a vampire," Micah blurted, his attention on the folder in his hand.

"B-But..." he stammered, eyes darting to Lana. "You d-did this."

Lana looked away, unable to hold his gaze. "I have trouble controlling myself," she admitted softly.

"You'll find this true for yourself," Micah explained, eyes now on Asher. "We're all pretty new to this. None of us have mastered all the qualities of being a vampire."

Asher looked down at his carpeted floor. "So I'm a vampire," he breathed, his body shaking. His eyes grew distant and Lana felt guiltier by the second. She placed a hand on his arm. "Please know that I regret my actions. I wasn't in control of my body and I couldn't stop myself."

Asher didn't react, but he didn't try shaking her off either. Lana kept her hand on his arm, wanting to provide a sense of comfort. After a moment, his shoulders relaxed and he sighed. "I'm sure I'll understand sometime soon."

"I hate to rush this, but I suggest you consider joining us," Micah stated, his voice holding no emotion as he threw the empty folder onto Asher's nearby bed.

"Joining you? Will I have to leave my home?" Asher questioned, looking up at Micah.

"It'd be difficult to stay here, considering when I arrived to town I had alerted my dad of Lana's location and he in turn probably filled the government in," Micah countered.

Lana thought about leaving her own parents and her heart grew torn. Could she really join Micah and Evan? She couldn't imagine leaving without her mother and father. The longest time she'd ever spent away from them was a week when she had gone off to camp the summer she was seven. When the week was up and her parents arrived to carry her home she had cried with relief. She'd never gone longer than a few days without them ever since.

"I already planned this out," Micah admitted in an attempt to ease Asher's worries and Lana's unspoken ones. "We'll live somewhere else, not too far but definitely not too close. We'll wait until the government thinks we've abandoned this town and then we can visit whenever, considering our inhuman speed. Lana's parents will have to come with us since the government knows of them. The government doesn't know about you nor your parents so they're safe here," Micah finished, his empty gaze directed towards Asher.

Lana considered his plan. "I don't see anything wrong with it. It makes sense," she replied as relief washed over her. Her parents would be joining her. She had been worrying for nothing.

Micah met her gaze. "We actually have a family home in Tennessee up in the mountains. That's where I was planning we stay."

It was in another state, however due to their vampire abilities it didn't prove to be an issue. Asher could easily visit just the same. Lana initially thought driving to visit would be harmless, but then she remembered red light cameras and surveillance cameras could easily capture a shot. If they picked up his unusual gray eyes she knew they'd instantly become suspicious. Then they could track the vehicle straight to their hideout. Not that Asher couldn't avoid such obstacles, it just wasn't worth the risk.

Micah averted his attention back to Asher, his expression almost bored. "Are you in?"

Asher's eyes grew distant, a haze clouding his irises as he weighed his options. Lana kept her gaze on him expectantly. She hoped he would join them. He would need help learning to control his abilities and, also, he could prove himself to be beneficial.

Finally, Asher looked over at Micah. He gave a single nod. "I'm in."