Why Dont You Just Drop Dead?

16

The nightmares come after that. Patrick tells me that there are barely any stages left. He also asks why I drank holy water. Why didnt I know? He said that after my soul would be cleaner though.

I force myself to sitting. Its probably the morning now, probably, who knows?

I flip my feet off the bed and test my muscles, putting pressure on my toes. The floor is cold. I put more and more pressure until Im standing.

I wobble as I work my way through the halls. Im fine now. I know there are two more stages but Im fine. Im 'Well'.

"Holy smokes, Lacey! Go back to bed you look horrible." Patrick gasps.

I drag my hands over my face. Do I really look that horrible?

"Sorry, you surprised me. You just look ill."

I sit down on the sofa, facing him.

"How come youre up?" He asks after a few moments of silence.

"Im scared that Ill sleep for ever." I say.

"Its not that. The nightmares end soon. Petes a bit stupid, he let you do that. He was really sorry and-"

"I drank it myself and chose to do it."

"He could have stopped you."

"I dont care, its a distraction."

Theres silence and he shuts the book, putting it on the table.

"Its nice youre up though. Its been a minute or two." Patrick smiles. "Someone to talk to again, thank the lord!"

"I guess. How long have I been out for?" I ask.

"Close to a week. Time flies, doesnt it!"

A week. A week!?

"Nothing much has happened, we are on a vampire hunting break right now so..."

"A week?"

"A week."

"Im sorry for... Urm... Taking your bed though."

I shuffle around. My stomach jumps and I groan. Im not completely well yet.

"One day Im going to get killed because Im reckless." I laugh, shaking my head.

"Lets hope not." Patrick smiles.

I can tell he wants privacy so I stand and hobble around, away.

I stand behind Andy, in the hall with the dummies. He does his thing, throwing and running. He uses his sword. There is a dummies in the corner, completely shredded and falling apart.

"Why. Did. You. Have. To. Be. So. Damn. Interested?" Andy shouts between swings. "I. Know. Its. Not. Your. Fault. But. You. Brought. More. Attention!" He yells, swinging. The head of the dummie falls off. It thumps onto the ground and Andy kicks it.

"Im sorry." I mumble.

"Its not your fault. Its just... He was my best friend." Andy turns, flicking his hair behind him.

I look at my feet.

"I wonder who is next, or will this end?"

I shrug.

"Am I due? Do I have a death wish. Actually, no." Andy drops his sword. "Sorry. I just... Look. I miss him, okay?"

It wasnt my fault.

"Im sorry. Im sorry." Andy shakes his head.

I feel sorry for him.

"Ill be over it soon."

"Ill make it up to you guys. I promise." I say quietly.

Andy makes eye contact and realises Im serious. He nods once.

Im tired. Im going back to bed. I walk back and climb into bed. I tuck myself back in and lie, staring at the ceiling.

The guys are talking outside as I fall asleep. My stomach buckles, pulling me into foetal position. I note to never use the liquid again. No thanks.

Stupid.

I dream vividly, not nice dreams.

I step outside, Im finally out of that hell hole. I walk down the road, but seem to be going nowhere. Suddenly someone jumps on my and I fall to the floor, skidding across the gravel. Someone lies heavy on my back.

"What do you want?" I scream, voice already raw.

"Your blood." They whisper in my ear.

Their tongue dances on my neck. Their breath wafting over my face. Its so real?

I scream with all I have when the teeth penetrate my neck. The pain is unbearable as I am drained. I yell and thrash but Im held in position.

Soon it goes black.

I sit up straight, my eyes blurry. Andy is the last one to run through the door.

"Whos heres?" Patrick asks urgently.

I cant form any words.

"Its a dream." Pete says, concerned.

I nod once, collapsing back onto the pillow again.

"You were screaming bloody murder."

"Nope. Im great. No attention, please." I try and stop them from caring.

Andy nods, leaving.

"Ill stay, Pat, you finish." Pete says.

Patrick looks between me and Pete before sending a small smile and leaving.

"What was that dream about?" Pete sits on the edge of the bed.

I think about my answer.

"You were shouting a lot of random words too..."

"They came after me and finished me off." I say.