School of the Supernatural

Chayse: Don't Mess With Me

I slide my tongue across my teeth, letting one of my fangs puncture it. The coppery taste fills my mouth, relaxing me. It's all I need. I walk through the door.

I find my seat and slide into it, paper aeroplanes and spitballs flying overhead. My hear pounds and I close my eyes, imagining the blood pumping through my veins. My heart rate slows to a normal rate--well, normal for me.

The teacher walks in. She rattles off role call, and we all respond to our names tiredly. 

"Adriana." 

"Here."

"Juniper."

"Present."

"Chayse."

"H-here," I say shakily.

The rest of class is the same: slow, boring, and tiresome. I manage to keep my eyes open until the bell rings. I gather my books and sling my book bag over my shoulder, brushing my short blonde hair out of the way. I push up my glasses and get walking.

I find my locker, shoving my books in. No one bothers to talk to me. I don't have anyone to talk to, anyway.

The next few classes go by just as slowly. It bothers me how boring school is. I bite my tongue again and swallow the blood, taking a deep breath. I can do this, I think. The thought of what's to come scares me.

Lunch. Last class. Home.

I walk home. On the way I stop by the dollar store and grab some bread, paying for it and leaving. A car slows down beside me. "Hey," a boy in the car calls, "You need a ride?" I ignore him, continuing to walk. He keeps up with me. He adds, "I'm not a rapist, honest. I'm just here to offer a ride to someone walking. It's gonna rain soon."

As if on cue, raindrops pour down on me. But I keep walking, though the car is growing increasingly more tempting. 

"C'mon, Chayse--" I whip to look at him. "How do you know my name?" I ask cautiously, keeping my feet poised to run. The boy's face flushes. "I...ah, I...dammit! They'll never let me do another mission for that!" He hits his head against the steering wheel. "Just get in the car," he mumbles. This time I concede. Screw it--if I'm gonna die, there won't be anyone to miss me.

 The ride is slow and silent. The boy breaks the quiet by saying, "I'm William, but most everyone calls me Will." I don't respond, staring straight ahead. He sighs. "Chayse, I understand how confusing this must be, but you'er gonna have to trust me." I look at him. Trust. Not my best quality, by a long shot.

"Trust you," I echo, staring at him in surprise. He nods and I bit my tongue again, trying to calm down. "Stop doing that." I look at him with an eyebrow raised. He clarifies, "Biting your tongue. I know you're doing it. The blood calms you down, yes? I assume so." I give him a wary look and he sighs. 

Will continues, "Look, I know what you are. You probably hate the word, yes, but I'm going to say it anyway. You're a vampire." I hide a wince. "It's okay though. I mean, I'm not one, but I've got my own tricks up my sleeve. I'm a werewolf." I whip my head around and look at him. "You're a...what?" I ask, shocked. He gives me a grin and says, "That's the expected reaction. Now, come on. We're here." I look around. He stopped the car.

I look outside. There's a thick line of trees blocking anyone else from--wherever we are. I turn around and stumble back in surprise. "Oh. My. Goodness." Will chuckles, placing his hand on my back. I jump. Will says, "Look, just go with it. You're gonna get stared at anyway. No one'll believe you're here, Princess." 

My heart jumps. "Ah--what?" Princess?! You're joking me. I'm no princess. I'm anything but.

Still Will seems pretty convinced of the fact. He bows and says, "Princess Chayse, I'm afraid it's me to deliver the news--your mother has passed. You're taking the throne."

What?!

My mother. Passed. Taking the throne.

This isn't real.

I'm about to respond when I hear a quick set of footsteps approaching. Will turns in surprise and shouts, "Princess, duck!" I whip around and duck as he tells me. A knife swings over my head. Will goes to step in front of me, but it doesn't do much. I look up at my attacker and my eyes fill with black--all the way from my pupils to the corner of my eyes. I bare my fangs and leap at them, biting hard into their neck. The person screams and I suck a mouthful of blood from their body, letting the crimson fire slide down my throat.

I right myself, wiping blood on my sleeve. I look at Will's face--he doesn't seem the least bit surprised--and ask, "So now what?" He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me inside.