LoVing Two

A Vampire?

I took in a deep breath, unsure what to think. 'Maybe I was still dreaming, or I really was insane.'

"You were born one and so was I, it stayed dormant inside you until you were ready, the emotions you were feeling at the time of the 'incident' is what set off the reaction in your blood. We have a psychological connection, a bond that we will always share, every vampire has a connection shared between them and another, in rare cases, some share it with two. If one dies, or chooses the second partner, a new connection will be formed with another vampire. I went through the same thing as you when I turned, but I had people close to me to guide me. I knew you didn't, so I asked for you as a patient."
He paused for a moment, letting me try to take it all in.
"The burning sensation in your blood will eventually become unnoticeable, you will have fangs slowly emerge within the next few days, and you will not be able to go in direct sunlight. You will heal unnaturally fast and your senses will become heightened." He seemed proud of me, as if I had achieved something. "You're going to be here for a while, so I'll make sure no-one opens the blinds, and only I will change your dressings. You're going to be very tired while the transition finishes, so I'll be here whenever you need me, just press that button." He pointed at a blue button on the left side of the bed and then looked to me for a sign of understanding.

I stared at him with wide eyes of disbelief, not knowing how to respond. "But how is this even possible? My family has pictures of me from the day I was born, I'm definitely their kid, unfortunately." I exclaimed in an uncertain tone. "How can I be a...it just doesn't make any sense." I squeezed my legs as hard as I could, trying to use the pain as a block-out of my thoughts, a habit I had learned years ago.

"Stop that, you can't keep using pain to stop it, you've got me now." He removed my arms and brought me towards him, wrapping his arms around me. I couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged me like that, a hug meant for affection and true caring. I started to cry into his chest, overwhelmed with emotion. "It's okay, I'm here and I'll always be here. I know this is all new to you and it's very overwhelming, so just try to calm down."

I took a few deep breaths and sat up, keeping my knees near my chest, but now it was just for comfort. He wiped away some tears on my cheek, I understood that he had to go, even though I didn't want him to. He kissed the top of my head and got up, sitting the blanket back over me. "Try and get some rest, you can watch TV and I'm sure we can find some music and books for you. Remember, if you need anything, just press that button." He gave me one last glance. "Oh, and my name is Stephen." He smiled, then left, shutting the door behind him.

I felt tired, but there were so many things still on my mind. I tried to dismiss the thoughts for the time being and shut my eyes. I slowly laid down, not wanting to make my ribs any more sore.

Eventually I fell asleep and was dreaming of what had just happened, all in slow motion, but exactly the same. I was completely unaware of the physical world around me.

-

I slowly awoke from my deep sleep to find the paramedic from the ambulance sitting on my bed, wearing casual clothes, head in his hands and whispering to himself in an almost angry, yet sad voice.

I carefully sat up and assumed my comfortable position, watching him for a moment, wondering what was wrong with him. I decided to place my hand on his shoulder, careful not to startle him too much. He looked over at me, not surprised as I thought he would be, but closer to relieved.

"Are you okay? What happened to your arms, and your face? It's..." He looked towards his lap and stayed silent, not knowing what to say, just sitting there.

"I had some hallucinations and went a bit crazy in my sleep, but it's okay now, and what's wrong with my face?" I tried to look for something reflective, curious as to what he meant.

"It's bruised, and you have a split eyebrow, here." He handed me a mirror from the bench, trying not to stare as he did so. He was wearing a dark brown jacket, faded jeans, a grey T-shirt and his short, light brown hair had been scuffed by his hands.

I took the mirror from him and was amazed to see the damage to my face I had been unaware of, though I knew it had been obtained when Lexi had beaten me, after I had fallen unconscious. "Well it would have been nice for someone to have mentioned that before." I handed him back the mirror and rubbed my bruised jaw, which now began to ache. "You know my name, so surely I should know yours?" I searched his eyes and found that same look of sincerity in them, but there was something strange, that thing I saw before was still there, something familiar.

"My name is Ezra Mikkelsen." He said, taking my hand in his, gesturing a hand shake. I shook it in acceptance, then grabbed the glass of water next to my bed, my throat had suddenly gone dry. He gazed at my legs for a second then looked back into my eyes, I knew what he was thinking.

"My sister paid me a visit, let's just say it didn't go too well." I looked away, embarrassed at how I looked. "So, what are you doing here? I thought paramedics didn't hang around random patient's beds?"

"We don't, but you're not just a random patient, now are you?" He looked at me with eyes that could sink ships. "There's something different about you and I think you know what I'm talking about."

I wondered if he meant what I thought he meant, but I didn't want to say it. My mind was screaming the word Vampire, but I couldn't voice it. It still seemed ridiculous.

"Stephen told you, didn't he?" I went to scratch my ribs, forgetting about the bruises, but Ezra grabbed my hand and gently took it away, as if he knew I was injured. I was shocked, I had gotten those from Lexi, after he had seen me in the ambulance. How did he know?

"You're a vampire Gin, and I could tell by how you're sitting that your ribs are damaged."

"How..."

Stephen walked in with an IPOD and a large novel, cutting off my question. When he looked around the door, it was as if all the blood in his face had been drained, he glared at Ezra, quickening his pace toward the bed. "What are you doing here?" He spoke in an agitated tone, as he put the objects on the bed. Grabbing Ezra's jacket by the shoulders, he lifted him up. His irises changed from their natural golden-brown, to a burning red, I couldn't believe my eyes. What was he going to do to him?

"Stephen, what are you doing?" I pushed myself over to them and instantly regretted doing so, I felt so much pain run through my body at that moment, that I fell off the bed. Ezra pushed Stephen off him and caught me so quick I didn't even see him move. Our eyes met and I saw worry, he was worried about me, why was this mysterious stranger worried about me? I started to cry, digging my head into his chest, unable to bear the physical pain and my emotions combined. "I'm sorry, I just..." He stopped me by putting his finger to my lips, sat me back on the bed, and wiped away my tears as he got up.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, you're okay, that's all that matters." He used a soothing tone.

I felt fresh tears begin to fall and pulled my knees back into my chest.

Stephen seemed awkward, he had not realised what had happened until a moment after Ezra had caught me.

"Now, in answer to your question." He looked to Stephen, whose eyes were back to normal. "I came to see Gin, I was in the ambulance with her and as soon as I was off, I made my way up here." Ezra explained in a matter of fact voice "What the hell happened to her?" He motioned toward my legs, then my face.

Stephen glared at him for a moment, then he took a deep breath. "They're from her psychotic sister who attacked her, I left them alone, as well as their mum." He tightened his fists slightly and I knew he blamed himself.

"Can you please tell me who you are, and how you know I like to be called Gin?" I looked to Ezra, then watched Stephen, wanting a response.

Everyone called me Guinevere, except my family, who called me Vera. I hated that name, the way my mother said it, like poison on her tongue. No one bothered to ask what I preferred, no one cared.