If I Die By Sunrise

Blinding

To my surprise the drink went down pretty fast, like taking a shot, it was quick and smooth. Though I didn't have much to compare it too, I knew I had worse.

Jerry, who was comfortably having a conversation with Cleo while I sat in between them feeling awkward as hell, took a moment to point out my obvious feat.

"Well kid, you're quite the drinker. Never thought you had it in you. I'll tell Beelz to fix you up another one." He winked before disappearing again into the crowd of gyrating vampires.

As the anger flooded to color my cheeks, I was conscious that Cleo was studying me probably not for the first time that night. When I turned to her, her crimson irises were appraising me with mild curiosity.

"You know? I can see there's something about you Jerry likes, I mean besides your scent, which is quite inviting..." She tapered off as she took more time to inspect me. Lifting my chin with a cool finger, and staring into my eyes she said. "You're breathtaking to look at as well as feisty. He's right it would be such a waste."

She returned to sipping her drink and scrutinizing the other club goers. A sudden sinking feeling occurred in my chest as I realized she wouldn't be of much help in rescuing me.

I really didn't know why I cared; there was just something about her that seemed to emanate hope. I watched her, as she had been watching me, and realized what it was.

She looked like a Goddess, a kind one at that, with piercing beauty and a smile that always touched her eyes. But there was also something wrong, before I could ponder on it a flash of light flooded my vision and soon I saw Cleo, laughing hard while many innocent humans suffered at the hands of her Children, the members of her vampire clan. Screams filled my ears making me jump.

She noticed and curiosity more than concern marked her face.

"What's wrong?" She questioned, stretching out a caring hand towards me.

I wanted nothing more than to get away from her as soon as possible. "I-I need some air."

In my hurry I hadn't noticed that Jerry had returned and I bumped straight into him. To my unwarranted amazement, the drinks hadn't spilled nor did it seem as if Jerry even budged. He just looked at me with "danger" flashing across his blood-red eyes. For a second he looked so mad, before his face morphed back into a perfect gentleman and he excused us both to go to the bathroom.

Not caring if it was empty or not, Jerry locked the bathroom door behind us.

"Just what do you think you're doing kid? Are you trying to make me look like a fool?" The anger was making his eyes turn even more rouge. I had never seen this side of Jerry before and it was making me feel weird, not terrified although I should've been, but sort of excited.

It was probably the drink which might've been packed with way more alcohol than I thought.

With every ounce of liquid courage urging me to say something, I snapped. "Why would I make you look like a fool, when you're already doing such a great job of it yourself?"

He took a step closer to me, his much larger frame inching nearer. "Watch it guy, you're walking on thin ice."

I was indignant, although I took a step back. "Oh yeah, well I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not afraid of you Jerry."

He smiled, still angry but a little more controlled now. "You don't sound too sure of that."

He was still coming closer to me. I glared at him, all the while trying to keep some distance between us. "Believe me, I'm pretty sure."