The Bryan Chronicle

Chapter Eight

I got out of the shower and dried myself up with the towel and looked in the mirror. I couldn't believe what I saw. My skin had grown paler than usual, the color in my hair darkened to nearly black and my eyes went from the former blue to the darkest brown I ever seen. I was shocked by this transformation. My face wasn't all that changed. My build which was always toned and skinny built up into something similar to a lightweight boxer. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me but this is what I saw. I gasped in response to my new appearance and noticed another new trait. My fangs had nearly doubled in size and were sharp. I felt them and nearly cut myself on the tips. I knew what I was but I didn't want to admit what I became. I was a creature of the night...

Before I could take in my new image I heard a knock on the bathroom door. "You alright in there Bryan?" It was Amy.

"I'm fine. Thank you." I replied.

"Well my mom said she'll clean your clothes." she opened the door slightly and I quickly covered with a towel, expecting her to enter but all that entered was her arm, handing my a pair of pjs. I took them. "They're my dad's but I think they might fit you."

"Thanks's Amy." She shut the door and I put them on. They were a little tight but they were comfy. I heard Amy's voice again from the other side of the door.

"Me and mom cleaned the guest room for you. You can sleep there tonight." I'm still not sure what caused such kindness from this family. They didn't know me and their first impression of me was a bloody and scarred me. Yet they still took me in...

"Thank you. I really appreciate all this. You and your mom are good people." I tried to show my appreciation but I was still somewhat shy. She didn't answer.

I got the pjs on and opened the door leaving the bathroom and Amy was standing there waiting for me. "I'll show you to your room." I followed her down the hallway and she opened the door to where I'd be sleeping and we entered, "The lamp is a little funky to use." she walked over to it and shown me how to use it. "You've gotta wiggle the switch to get it to turn... Like this." It turned on and I could see the room a little better. I was mostly red and the bed was a nice twin with red comfort blankets. It smelled like it hadn't been used much and was a little dusty but it was nice.

"Alright. I guess that's everything... Umm I guess I'll see you in the morning... Good night." She left the room and shut the door.

I laid on the bed and wrapped myself in the blankets but I couldn't sleep. I wasn't aware that this was due to my curse and just kept trying to force sleep but nothing happened... But then a thought hit me; 'Where was my bag?' I quickly turned on the light and looked aroud the room. I was in near panic but then, at the edge of the bed I saw my bag. They must have moved it in here. "They didn't even open it..." I grabbed my spell book and spent the night reading and writing in it.

When the sun came up it was around 8:30. I didn't hear anyone up so I decided to stay in the room so I didn't intrude in their house. I read my book a little more until I noticed a beam of sunlight going through the curtains. I watched it for a few minutes approach me slowly as the sun rose. I reached out my hand to feel the suns rays but when I did I felt terrible. My stomach felt like I've been stabbed and I couldn't concentrate. I managed to pull away from the painful beam and quickly moved away from the light. "I guess that's what light does to vampires..." I thought in my head until I heard a voice from outside my door.

"Hello? Well this is Amy's father, Mark. I guess my Amy found you last night from what I heard?" He sounded around 60. I could hear some kind of sickness in his voice.

"Yes. I'm sorry to intrude, sir." I replied nervously.

"It's alright son. We haven't had a guest here in a while so I suppose it's good to have new company." He coughed after he finished what he said. "You can come out anytime. Ole' Deb has some cereal out in the kitchen ready for you to make when you come out."

"Thank you, sir."

"Not a problem... So I'll be headed to work now. Sorry I couldn't meet you in person. If you're still around when I get back we can hopefully get better acquainted. Alright?"

"Yes sir, I'd like to get to know you better."

"Alright then. Well bye Bryan." I heard him walk down the hall and close the front door.

I waited about five minutes before I left the room. I was still pretty drained feeling but the sandwich helped a little from last night. Looking back on this it should have been more obvious I needed something else than mortal food but I guess it's ignorance of an underling...