Why Dont You Just Drop Dead?

20

I sit up suddenly, panting. Im not dead, I wasnt killed, Its all okay.

"Lacey? Lacey?" Petes voice comes within my range as he shakes me.

His arms grip tightly onto my arms and he shakes me lightly. I stare around me, making sure I wasnt killed by vampires.

"Lacey!" Pete says more forcefully. "Its okay, Im here."

I focus back on Pete, not on the dark surroundings on the room. Wide eyed I meet his eyes and see the expression of panic in his eyes, making my heart speed up.

"Lacey, what happened?"

I cant talk, Im breathless, Im winded. I take gasping breathes and wipe the sweat off my forehead.

"Hey, hey, breathe."

Pete calms down, telling me theres nothing to be scared of. I follow the expression of his face and everything is back in normal time. I swallow hard and Pete brushes a hand over me.

"Its okay they arent going to get you."

I dont know whether thats a false promise. They could come and get me now and there would be nothing stopping them, except Pete.

"Just-just breathe."

Pete loosens his firm grip on my shoulders.

"Telling me they wont kill me is ruining the suspense of if they will or not." I point out.

He chuckles. "Never fail to impress. Look, I care about you, a lot. You are important to all of us. We are going to protect you at all costs."

"I promised Andy I would pay back for killing Joe."

"You didnt kill him-"

"It was just a note, he will be waiting."

I take the opportunity to brush a lock of hair behind my ear. My breathing is better but Im still a little shaken.

"William will die. But death and death will not create lives."

"But us guy only DO death." Pete smiles out the side of his mouth.

I shrug, on of his hands slip to my bicep. His hands brush past my skin. His hands are rough and chapped.

"We are the antiheros."

He realises that his hands have been on me for a while and moves them off, sitting down on the table opposite the sofa.

"Sleep again, Im on guard."

I lie down and stare at the ceiling.

***

"Guys, up! Something huge is happening!" Patrick yells.

Patrick runs through the living room, pulling up one of the legs of his trousers and securing his zipper.

"We have to go. Like... HAVE to. Now!"

We run out and into the car, Im still half asleep.

"Pat, whats going on?" Pete asks.

"Its crazy, a huge fight. As in, we have a chance to kill William." Patrick sings, grinning.

Patrick drives sloppily, pulling around corners and skidding down slopes.

I have the chance to think about earlier, at dinner.

"Your just the girl all the boys wanna dance with!" Pete jokes, taking his seat.

"You can make it positive. But, then again, I cant blame you for being you." I chuckle.

I want to count the death dances Ive experienced but Im pulled back to reality by the screech of the breaks and the car lurching.

"Just... Just go for it." Patrick says.

We all run out and stand, looking at the huge fight unraveling. People are tangled together and some are dead, on the floor.

I run in after the others and start making my way through. Theres only one way Im going. That way being straight at William.

I charge through the crowds, stopping and spearing random vampires on the way. Theres one time to finish, and I think its now.