Drained

Chapter Six

          "Well," he started, "ask away."

          He seemed so calm and collected.  On the other hand, my heart felt as if it would beat out of my chest.  I had so many questions for this man that I barely knew.  I wanted to know everything about him.

          "How did you find me after the accident?" I started with the question that had been on my mind since I opened my eyes to see him standing over me.

          "I never really left you, Lindsey.  I always know where you are.  I have to be able to keep you safe."  He never broke eye contact with me as he said this.  I didn't really understand this, but I had other questions that I needed answers to.

          "Why did you, um, feed me your blood?"  Just saying this sentence out loud made me sound insane.  The thought of drinking blood made me want to throw up, but remembering the way that his made me feel stirred up a different feeling entirely.

          "To heal you, of course.  The paramedic informed me that your injuries were grave, and I could not take any chances."

          "But, why would your blood have that effect on me?  Why did it help me?"

          "This is the part that will scare you, Lindsey.  I need you to listen to me, and if you want to leave and never see me again after hearing what I will tell you next, I will obey your wishes.  I hope that you will hear me out though."  I nodded slowly.  As frightened as I was by his words, my curiosity was much stronger.  I had to know what was happening.

          "Lindsey, I'm not human.  I used to be, but when I was twenty-three years old, something happened."  James's expression as he said this told me that it was no joke.  He wasn't teasing or joking with me.  I stayed still as I waited for some kind of explanation, but I'm sure my face gave away my confusion and intrigue.

          "Two months after my twenty-third birthday, I became very ill and was admitted into the hospital.  I had developed pneumonia, and it was killing me.  One of the nurses came to me late at night claiming she could cure me.  At that point, I was willing to do anything to stay alive, so I agreed to do anything she wanted.  She made me this way in order to grant my wish to live."

          I was listening to his story and hung onto every word, but I still could not understand what he was talking about.  "What do you mean she made you this way?  What did she do?" It was difficult to keep my voice steady, and I urged James to continue his story.

          "She turned me into a vampire."  James looked up at me as he said this.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  Real-life vampires?  It wasn't possible.  I couldn't move or speak.  I just stared at him for what seemed like hours.

          "Please, say something.  I know this is a lot to comprehend, assuming you even believe me."  James's voice almost sounded worried.

          "You're a," I paused, "vampire?"  It sounded insane.  I had to force myself to say it.

          "Yes."

          "I don't understand.  How is that possible?"

          "I'm not really sure how to answer that.  I know it's a lot to take in."

          "So, you drink blood?"  I wanted to know more about what it meant for James to be a vampire.  I had read books and seen movies about vampires, but I didn't want to make assumptions based on that.

          "Yes, but I get blood bags from the hospital.  I haven't fed from a person directly in a long time."

          I didn't know how to react.  I was terrified, but somehow I knew he wouldn't hurt me.  I had always felt safe around him.  Even though I knew very little about him, I felt comfortable.  More comfortable than I ever had with anybody else.

          "Why did you help me?  Both today and that night on campus."  I still didn't know why he would care what happened to me.  Why would he even bother getting involved?

          He sighed heavily and look down at the floor before answering.  "All supernatural beings have a kind of soul mate.  Somebody that they're destined to be with.  Their other half."  At this point he looked back up at me to see my reaction.

          When he realized I was still lost he reached his hand over to grab mine.  As soon as he made contact, tingles shot throughout my body.  I found myself leaning towards him.  I met his eyes, and he gave me a small smile.

          "Lindsey, you're mine.  My other half I mean.  The first time I saw you I suspected it, but I couldn't be sure.  When I saw you being attacked that night, I acted without even thinking.  I had to help you, and when I touched your hand, I knew I had been right."  James began to trace circles on the back of my hand with his thumb, and I felt like I was on fire.

          "Do you feel that?"  His voice was soft and soothing.  I nodded and looked back up at him.  "I'm sorry.  I know this doesn't make a lot of sense right now.  I want to explain everything to you though.  Would you consider staying here for a little while?  I would really like to get to know you.  Of course, I would have your own room prepared for you.  I could provide anything you needed."

          How was I supposed to respond to this?  How could I just drop everything and live with a guy I'd just met?  I had never even had a boyfriend before, but I was considering moving in with some guy.  I barely knew James, but I wanted to know him.  This could be the only way for me to get to know him as well as I would like.

          Although I took the time to think about it, I knew what my answer had to be from the moment he asked me.

          "Yes."