Hunter's Moon

Chapter 5

            The apartment bedroom was small and cluttered. A full size bed took up the majority of the room, even butted up in the far corner. Next to the bed was a computer desk with a nineteen inch monitor, keyboard, and a xbox controller. Along the walls of the room were bookcases filled with books and DVD cases. One shelf held hardcover and paperback novels of a distinct science-fiction and fantasy theme, another held only roleplay game rule books and a distinctive purple Crown Royal bag standing upright, the contents clearly not a bottle of alcohol. Homemade DVD cases labeled “Sasuke” 1 through 26 filled another shelf, right above various movie DVDs. On the wall opposite the computer desk there was a framed poster, one of the motivational posters. On the poster there was a black border surrounding two pictures. The first of a beach, with a lone man looking out into the ocean, the other with a crowded city intersection, filled with people walking at a crosswalk. At the bottom there were the words “A person is smart, but people are dumb. Don't be a part of the crowd!”

            Matthew woke up unsure of his surroundings. No, wait. He was in his bed. How had he gotten there? The last thing he remembered was . . . getting off of work? No. He remembered that easily enough, and wanting to take a run afterward to clear his mind. Oh God, the run. The cry for help he'd heard.

            Just what'd happened last night? He remembered it fully, but that didn't mean he could explain it. That monster, that creature he'd fought with, it'd nearly killed him. The stranger said it was a vampire and that he'd most likely forget about it. Well, that apparently wasn't happening. He looked around his bedroom for his phone, found it where he usually left it.

            He called Taylor. She picked up after the second ring, “Matthew! You're awake?! Are you okay? I was just on my way over, Nearly there."    Matthew took mental stock of himself, trying to determine if there were any lasting effects of the event the night before. “Uh, no. I think I'm fine. You sound a bit concerned. I meant to thank you for coming and getting me last night-” He walked out of the bedroom to the main living area, where his roommate was sitting on the couch in front of a wall-mounted television playing Call of Duty. They nodded to each other as Matthew walked past and into the kitchenette. He opened a cupboard door near the fridge and pulled out a bottle of over-the-counter painkillers. Hopefully it'd help the pulsing migraine he felt coming.

            “Last night? Oh no no no, buddy boy. Check your watch. That was two nights ago. Did you just wake up? I told Mikey to call me if he saw signs of movement from you. You've been asleep for thirty-six hours straight. I'm heading over.” Matthew heard a door open and close from the other side of the phone, “I was actually on my way over already. I want you to tell me what happened. I get to the park, see you walking out of it, jacket torn to pieces, blood or who-knows-what on your face. You just slump down into my car nearly half passed out from exhaustion. Scared the crap outta me!”

            “Yeah, I was wondering what happened after that. I remember your car, and then nothing until just a few minutes ago.”

            “Nothing, really? I got you back to your apartment, and as soon as you hit the bed you went from semi-unconscious to fully. I'm downstairs now. I'll be up in a sec.” Taylor hung up.

            Matthew looked at the time/date display on his phone. Sure enough, he'd lost a day.

            Matthew was glad he had a friend like Taylor. It felt like they had known each other forever. They very nearly had, having grown up across the street from each other after his parents had moved when he was in the first grade. They were as close as siblings, practically inseparable all through junior high and then high school. After meeting up at the apartment they decided to get out and get some fresh air. Matt's stomach told him he needed to eat. They went to a local sports bar called Tee's. Having not eaten for a full day, Matthew was attempting to get back on his stomach's good side. Missing a day meant more than just food, he'd be a day behind at his classes, and at . . . work . . . ?