Turned

Chapter Twenty Four

I texted Matt to explain what was going on. He deserved to know where I was, what happened even if he assumed the worst about me. 

I was surprised when no one came to see Nick, I thought for sure that they would, he was a good guy, decent.

I waited for him outside. I stood by the wall, smoking a cigarette I got off a nurse, wanting a reason to be outside more than anything else. I didn't smoke, I didn't need to and it didn't do anything for me but it didn't hurt my lungs either, it was just an excuse so it didn't look strange, so I didn't look strange.

He ran over, putting his arms around me. I didn't understand it, it wasn't what I expected. I moved my hand so I didn't burn him. I never expected him to act like that, to willingly hug me, despite where I was and what I told him.

"I know you didn't do it" he whispered in my ear.

"How?" I asked in surprise.

"Because I finally learnt to trust my brother"

"After all I did... said"

"Enough, it's not your fault. Do you need to leave or are you okay?"

"I'm fine... I'll explain later" I promised. 

I put my cigarette out and hid it in my pocket. I knew Matt or at least I thought I did. I don't know why I expected him to react badly, he knew I wouldn't hurt someone, not on purpose and what kind of killer calls an ambulance for their victim and goes to the hospital with them? Not many, that I was sure about. 

"How is Leo?" I asked sheepishly.

"He's fine, wants to go out again"

"Do we have to?" I asked before realising how cruel that made me sound. "Sorry, ignore me, I'm just worried about Nick"

"What happened?"

"He fell, I think, definitely hit his head, thankfully there's no blood but he was unconscious when I found him"

Matt and I kept walking, he got a coffee from the machine and nursed it in his hands as I headed towards Nick's room. I didn't want him to be alone, it didn't seem fair, right. He was just putting his shirt on as I walked in. I turned around and headed for the door, blushing a little at what I'd just seen but he didn't say anything.

"You're okay" Nick promised.

"Are you though?" I asked as I turned around.

"I hate hospitals" 

"So, you're just leaving?"

"I've spent enough time in hospitals, I'm not spending another minute in one, no matter what they say, do you mind if I get a lift with you?"

"Sure, my friend's here... are you sure?"

"I've spent enough time in hospitals, I'm not spending another minute in one, no matter what they say, do you mind if I get a lift with you?"

"Sure, my friend's here... are you sure?"

"I'm sure I don't want to spend another minute in this place, I feel like the longer I'm in it, the less chance I've got of actually leaving it" Nick admitted.

I didn't say anything, it wasn't my place to, instead I just led him out to Matt. Matt didn't need or ask for an explanation, he just agreed to get us all a lift home, it seems Leo had agreed to drive us as neither Matt or I had a car, let alone drive it and I didn't want to ask Nick, he was tired and probably injured.

We took him back to Matt's house, it was easier, safer than having him stay too close to the club, especially with Caleb, he was probably desperate to find some dirt on me and this would be perfect for him to use against me, to torment me with. I let him have my room, I wouldn't be sleeping anyway and it didn't seem right to force Matt out of a room when I wasn't going to use mine. If I got tired, I could use the sofa, if I had to... as a last resort, thankfully. 

Matt made us all a drink, even invited Leo in. I didn't mind it but I could see Matt was worried about me. Normally three humans and a vampire was utterly perfect, dinner for a week I imagined but I wasn't hungry, I didn't feel anything, I could have a normal conversation without all the problems that came with it, at least without all the vampire problems. 

I waved Leo goodbye as he decided to go and drive home to get some sleep. I pretended to look tired but didn't actually feel tired. Learning acting skills was part of the job as a vampire, learning how to hide just how thirsty I was, was also part of it, just something that happened, regardless of whether I wanted it to or not.

"How are you holding up?" Matt asked as he closed the door to my room.

"Fine, don't worry"

"Completely?"

"Near enough" I admitted.

"You look better" he admitted.

I rolled my eyes and finished my coffee. I didn't say anything, I just wanted him to go to bed. I didn't know what I'd do for most of the night, didn't really think about it but I knew there had to be something for me to do, I wasn't just going to drop dead with boredom, I'd even go out for a walk, if I had to.

I didn't like staying inside for too long, I liked to be free, I enjoyed being free, to be out in the open, especially since I had no blood thirst, I wanted to enjoy those moments while part of me wondered if that's what it was like, to be a full vampire... so to speak, to have killed someone, to have the full gifts of a vampire along with its curses.

Even I didn't know which way I'd go, I liked being... human, in my way but I hated thirsting for blood. One would have to go, one would have to stay, the only question was which one... which one it would be, which way I'd go, all I knew was that one day, Sapphire's blood would wear off and the monster would be exposed.