Creatures and Legends (Wattys2018)

4: Developing Emotions

"How- Wh-" I start to say, beginning to panic, "Why is... this happening? What's going on?"

"Don't... panic... Krista... You're okay..." I hear Thomas say between deep breaths. He's still on the ground, attempting to prop himself up but failing.

"Why is this happening? I'm not like you... I'm supposed to be Human, not Vampire..."

"Just... calm down... Take deep breaths, counting to ten... in between them..."

I do as he says, closing my eyes. After about six sets my heart rate begins to slow and I open my eyes to see the red light coming from me no longer there. The sight of Thomas lying on the ground gasping finally registers in my mind.

"A-are you okay? D- did I do that?" I ask him, still a bit shaken.

"Yeah... I'll be fine. Don't worry about it. I just wasn't expecting it. It's normal for fresh vamps to lose control. Heck, I lose control sometimes..." he answers. He tries to get up, but ends up groaning in pain. I rush over to him to help him up as he continues to groan. I hoist his arm over my shoulder, and we begin a conversation.

"Do I need to take you to the dining room or...?" I ask

"No!" he hastily replies, "I have some first aid stuff in my room. Dale doesn't need to see me."

"Y... your room...?" I ask, gulping.

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll tell you how to get there," he says. He points in one direction and I try to see through the pitch black hallway.

"I can't really see where we're going, Thomas."

"That's okay," he says, pausing, "actually... try to use your light. Just focus on the light you saw the first time, then will it to happen." Skeptical, I try what he said and unfortunately, I'm unable to do it. I try again, focusing more on the light itself. Within the next few moments, the darkness in the hall fades. It's replaced with an amber-tinted red light illuminating from my eyes.

"Okay, well, now we know that you can summon your powers voluntarily," he says chuckling. He coughs as he points in the direction of his room.

I pick him up, grunting under his weight, and head in the direction he pointed. "Hopefully your room isn't far."

He threw his arms around my neck. "Not far enough if you are here."

"Say that again and you're walking to your room." I blush.

He chuckles. "And why would you make me do that?"

We both chuckle and walk for a while, having to stop a couple of times to readjust Thomas. We reach his room, and he unlocks the door. We go inside and I'm greeted by the surprising smell of vanilla. I take a moment to look around the large room. It's about the size of mine, but is equipped with a mini-fridge. Thomas' room is surprisingly clean with no signs of a normal teenage boy. I bring Thomas over to his bed and set him down, letting go of his arm. He groans in the process.

"Here," I say to him, "Lie down and I'll do what I can to help. I used to take care of my dad when he got hurt at work, so I'm trained a little in first aid." He does what I say and lies down. I find the first aid kit on his desk and get to work. By the time I turn back around Thomas' shirt is on the floor and I see the damage I did on his stomach. My eyes widen as I notice his ABS under the burns from my outburst.

I walk over to him and set the first aid kit beside him. As I get to work, small groans are heard and he stares at me.

"You know..." he says a few minutes later, "it's not your fault..."

"I'm still really sorry... but how does any of this make sense...?" I say, continuing to work.

"I know it doesn't make sense right now, but..." he says, groaning again.

"Shh... you need to rest, Thomas. You'll heal quicker that way." I say, finishing the bandages. I begin to clean up the trash and put the first aid kit back together when he grasps my hand. It surprises me, but I don't shy away.

"You're special, Krista..." he says, pausing, "you're special to me... You're more than just another vampire..."

I stay kneeling there, speechless, as he searches my face for any response. I'm stunned and confused all at the same time. Yet, for some reason, I feel... attracted... to this boy... I place the hand he isn't holding to his chest. I feel him shiver under the touch of my chilled hand for a moment and I move closer to him. He continues to stare at my amber eyes and I stare into his green ones. Before I realize what's happening, we're both leaning in and our lips touch. It seems as if we're the only ones in the entire world at this moment and the kiss feels like pure bliss. I've only ever kissed one person before now, but the thought of that flees from my melting mind as I focus back to Thomas. The light that was on in the room goes out, and we're greeted by glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. We separate, both breathless, but stay close. We both look up and smile.

"Do you want to sleep here, tonight..." he asks me, "considering I can't take you back to your room?"

I think for a moment, then answer by crawling on the bed and lying next to him. We talk for the next moments about nothing in particular then kiss again, just as blissful as the first time. We eventually fall asleep holding each other as if our lives depended on it.